Stir-Fried Orange Chicken with Crispy Beijing Beef Bites
A fusion dish combining sweet and tangy orange chicken with tender, crispy Beijing-style beef for a bold and satisfying meal. This chinese-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cornstarch, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 8 oz flank steak
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 egg white
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and toss with 1/2 cup cornstarch until evenly coated. Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and fry the chicken pieces in batches for 4-5 minutes until golden and cooked through; transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Step 2: Thinly slice 8 oz flank steak against the grain into 1/4-inch strips. Toss with 1/4 tsp baking soda and 1 egg white, then coat lightly with 1/4 cup cornstarch. Fry in the same skillet over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes until crispy and browned; set aside.
- Step 3: In a bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup orange juice, 1 tbsp orange zest, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 3 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp minced ginger, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes until sugar dissolves.
- Step 4: Remove excess oil from skillet, then add the sauce mixture and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Return chicken pieces to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Add the crispy beef strips and gently fold to combine without breaking the beef crust.
- Step 6: Garnish with 3 sliced green onions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately with steamed rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Orange Chicken with Crispy Beijing Beef Bites take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (20 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 Stir-Fried Orange Chicken with Crispy Beijing Beef Bites?
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 cornstarch from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Orange Chicken with Crispy Beijing Beef Bites?
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 Stir-Fried Orange Chicken with Crispy Beijing Beef Bites 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 Stir-Fried Orange Chicken with Crispy Beijing Beef Bites?
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.