Orange-Glazed Fried Chicken Bites with Sesame and Scallions

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken pieces fried to golden perfection and coated in a bright orange glaze with toasted sesame seeds and fresh scallions for a vibrant finish. This chinese-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Gradually add 3/4 cup water, whisking to form a smooth batter.
  2. Step 2: Heat 4 tbsp vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  3. Step 3: Dip 1 lb bite-sized chicken breast chunks into the batter, allowing excess to drip off, and carefully fry in batches for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
  4. Step 4: In a small saucepan, combine 1/3 cup orange marmalade, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 minced garlic clove. Heat over medium heat, stirring, until the sauce thickens and bubbles, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Toss the fried chicken bites in the orange glaze until evenly coated.
  6. Step 6: Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 thinly sliced scallions for garnish.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Orange-Glazed Fried Chicken Bites with Sesame and Scallions take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Orange-Glazed Fried Chicken Bites with Sesame and Scallions?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Orange-Glazed Fried Chicken Bites with Sesame and Scallions?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Orange-Glazed Fried Chicken Bites with Sesame and Scallions for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Orange-Glazed Fried Chicken Bites with Sesame and Scallions?

Chinese chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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