Best 3 Orange Chicken Delight Recipes

# Orange Chicken Delight: A Sweet and Tangy Treat

Are you looking for a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that will tantalize your taste buds? Look no further than Orange Chicken Delight! This delectable dish combines the sweet and tangy flavors of orange sauce with crispy chicken pieces, making it a perfect choice for a quick and satisfying meal. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is sure to impress.

This recipe includes three variations of Orange Chicken Delight: the classic, a healthier version, and a version made with chicken thighs. Each variation offers a unique twist on the classic dish, catering to different dietary preferences and flavor profiles.

The classic Orange Chicken Delight features juicy chicken pieces coated in a sweet and tangy orange sauce, made with a blend of orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar, and spices. The result is a crispy, flavorful dish that pairs perfectly with steamed rice or your favorite side dish.

For those seeking a healthier alternative, the recipe provides a lightened-up version that uses reduced-sodium soy sauce, honey instead of sugar, and vegetable broth instead of oil. This version offers a healthier take on the classic dish without compromising on taste.

Additionally, the recipe includes a variation made with chicken thighs, which provides a succulent and flavorful twist to the dish. Chicken thighs are known for their rich flavor and juicy texture, making them an excellent choice for this recipe.

With its vibrant flavors, ease of preparation, and versatility, Orange Chicken Delight is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure and indulge in the deliciousness of this sweet and tangy treat!

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

ORANGE CHICKEN

Orange Chicken image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories main-dish

Time 50m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 egg whites
4 boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup orange juice (I used Simply Orange)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 packed tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
Dash salt
Dash crushed red pepper
1 clove garlic, pressed
A little grated or minced ginger
1 teaspoon cornstarch
Vegetable or peanut oil, for frying

Steps:

For the chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and egg whites with a fork until almost frothy, about 1 minute. Add the chicken to the mixture and allow to sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
For the sauce: Meanwhile, put the orange juice, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, salt, crushed red pepper, garlic and ginger in a small nonstick skillet and whisk. Heat until bubbling and starting to thicken, about 5 minutes.
Whisk together the cornstarch and 1/4 cup water in a small bowl and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of the cornstarch slurry to the sauce. Mix in and thicken for 1 minute.
Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven until a deep-fry thermometer inserted in the oil registers 350 degrees F. Carefully drop the chicken into the oil and move it around, flipping gently, until golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Let the pieces drain on a plate lined with paper towels for 2 to 3 minutes. Then drop them back into the oil for 1 minute to really solidify the coating.
Toss the chicken in the sauce and serve.

ASIAN ORANGE CHICKEN

Asian Orange Chicken image

A delicious citrus chicken recipe with flavors reminiscent of the orange chicken from a popular restaurant in the mall.

Provided by HARRY WETZEL

Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian

Time 3h20m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1 ½ cups water
2 tablespoons orange juice
¼ cup lemon juice
⅓ cup rice vinegar
2 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
½ teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil

Steps:

Pour 1 1/2 cups water, orange juice, lemon juice, rice vinegar, and soy sauce into a saucepan and set over medium-high heat. Stir in the orange zest, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, chopped onion, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat, and cool 10 to 15 minutes.
Place the chicken pieces into a resealable plastic bag. When contents of saucepan have cooled, pour 1 cup of sauce into bag. Reserve the remaining sauce. Seal the bag, and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
In another resealable plastic bag, mix the flour, salt, and pepper. Add the marinated chicken pieces, seal the bag, and shake to coat.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place chicken into the skillet, and brown on both sides. Drain on a plate lined with paper towels, and cover with aluminum foil.
Wipe out the skillet, and add the sauce. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Mix together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water; stir into the sauce. Reduce heat to medium low, add the chicken pieces, and simmer, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 445.4 calories, Carbohydrate 68.7 g, Cholesterol 34.2 mg, Fat 11.2 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 17.8 g, SaturatedFat 1.7 g, Sodium 762.8 mg, Sugar 36.5 g

MANDARIN ORANGE CHICKEN

Mandarin Orange Chicken image

In Washington Court House, Ohio, Clara Coulston jazzes up meals with this mouthwatering recipe. She simply treats juicy chicken breasts to a tangy sauce, featuring plenty of citrus flavor.-Ms. Clara M. Coulston, Washington Court House, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup orange marmalade
2 tablespoons honey mustard
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
Hot cooked rice, optional

Steps:

Flatten chicken to 1/4-in. thickness. In a large resealable bag, combine the flour, salt and pepper; add chicken. Seal bag and turn to coat; In a large skillet, brown chicken in oil on both sides., Combine the orange juice, marmalade, mustard and rosemary; pour over chicken. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook for 5-8 minutes or until chicken juices run clear and sauce is thickened. Stir in oranges and orange zest. Serve with rice if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 273 calories, Fat 7g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 63mg cholesterol, Sodium 274mg sodium, Carbohydrate 29g carbohydrate (22g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

Tips:

To make sure your orange chicken is crispy, double-coat the chicken in the cornstarch mixture before frying.
If you don't have a wok, you can use a large skillet instead. Just make sure it's big enough to hold all of the ingredients.
You can adjust the amount of heat in this dish by using more or less red pepper flakes.
If you like a sweeter orange chicken, you can add more honey or sugar to the sauce.
This dish is best served immediately, but it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

Orange chicken is a classic Chinese dish that is loved by people of all ages. It's a delicious and versatile dish that can be made with a variety of different ingredients. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a special dish for a party, orange chicken is a great option. So next time you're in the mood for something delicious and satisfying, give this orange chicken recipe a try!