Crispy Orange Chicken Bites (Printer Friendly)

Crispy chicken pieces in glossy orange sauce. Classic Chinese-American takeout favorite ready in under an hour.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 2 large eggs
03 - 0.25 cup cornstarch
04 - 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
05 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
06 - 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
07 - Vegetable oil, for frying

→ Orange Sauce

08 - 0.75 cup fresh orange juice (about 2 oranges)
09 - 2 tablespoons orange zest
10 - 0.25 cup soy sauce
11 - 0.25 cup granulated sugar
12 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
13 - 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
14 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
15 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
16 - 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
17 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)

→ Garnishes (optional)

18 - 2 spring onions, sliced
19 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

# How to Make It:

01 - Whisk eggs in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, combine cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper. Dip each chicken piece into the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly in the flour mixture.
02 - Heat vegetable oil to 1.5 inches depth in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat (350°F). Fry chicken in batches for 4–5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
03 - Combine orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves completely.
04 - Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens and achieves a glossy consistency.
05 - Add fried chicken to the saucepan and toss to coat evenly. Cook for 2 minutes to heat through completely.
06 - Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with sliced spring onions and sesame seeds if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You will never call for takeout again once you realize how fast this comes together
  • The sauce hits every single flavor note your friends talk about when they crave Chinese-American food
02 -
  • Do not overcrowd your pan when frying or the oil temperature drops and you end up with soggy chicken
  • The sauce continues to thicken off the heat so pull it slightly earlier than you think you need to
03 -
  • Zest your oranges before juicing them or you will struggle to get any zest off squeezed fruit
  • Double the sauce and freeze half for a quick meal later when you are short on time
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