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Baked Orange Chicken Recipe

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4.3 from 15 reviews

  • Author: Leila
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 4 servings

Description

This Baked Orange Chicken recipe offers a delicious and healthier take on the classic Chinese-American dish. Chicken breast pieces are seasoned, coated, and lightly pan-browned before being baked in a flavorful homemade orange sauce. The result is tender chicken with a crispy exterior, coated in a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy orange glaze, garnished with fresh green onions. Perfect for a family dinner served alongside steamed rice and broccoli.

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 3 tablespoons oil

Orange Sauce

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons green onion, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and set it aside for later.
  2. Season Chicken: Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and season evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper, making sure all pieces are coated well.
  3. Coat Chicken: Dredge each seasoned chicken piece first in cornstarch, then dip it into the beaten eggs. Repeat this process to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated.
  4. Brown Chicken: Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the coated chicken pieces and brown them on all sides, about 4 to 5 minutes, aiming for a crispy exterior without cooking the chicken fully through.
  5. Prepare Orange Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, orange juice, rice vinegar, soy sauce, finely chopped garlic, red chili flakes, orange zest, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon salt. Stir thoroughly until the sugar and cornstarch dissolve completely.
  6. Bake Chicken with Sauce: Transfer the browned chicken into the prepared baking dish. Pour the orange sauce evenly over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes.
  7. Stir During Baking: Every 15 minutes, carefully remove the dish from the oven and stir the chicken and sauce to redistribute the sauce evenly and promote even cooking. Continue baking until the sauce thickens and the chicken is fully cooked.
  8. Serve: Remove the baked orange chicken from the oven and garnish with chopped green onions. Serve warm alongside steamed rice and broccoli for a complete meal.

Notes

  • Make sure to brown the chicken properly to get a crispy texture before baking.
  • Stirring every 15 minutes during baking helps prevent the sauce from burning and ensures even coating.
  • Adjust red chili flakes according to your preferred spice level.
  • Use fresh orange juice and zest for the best flavor.
  • You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier alternative, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Chinese-American

Find it online: https://recipesbyleila.com/baked-orange-chicken-recipe/