This easy homemade Sunshine Zest Orange Chicken is simply amazing. A flavorful homemade recipe, coated in a sweet, tangy orange glaze. Perfect for family gatherings. Easy step-by-step instructions are provided.
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Sunshine Zest Orange Chicken: A Flavorful Homemade Recipe
Orange chicken is one of America’s favorite takeout dishes. It’s crispy, fried chicken pieces coated in a sticky, spicy, sweet orange glaze. While ordering from Panda Express or your local Chinese restaurant is a great way to easily make a fresh, more flavorful version at home and feed your family.
This article explains the step-by-step recipe. Crispy golden chicken is prepared in a bold citrus sauce and a perfect restaurant-style finish.
Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or preparing more for a family gathering, this homemade Sunshine Zest Orange Chicken is incredibly easy and guarantees incredible flavor for everything in your kitchen. Even if you’re a beginner, you can master it and please everyone. Let’s get started.
Sunshine Zest Orange Chicken Why You’ll Love It:
- Fresh orange juice and zest add a bright citrus flavor.
- Budget-friendly and perfect for family meals.
- Perfectly crispy chicken, even when shallow-fried.
- Better than takeout—cleaner, fresher, and more customizable.
- Sticky sauce that clings perfectly to every bite.
All the ingredients you need for Sunshine Zest Orange Chicken:
Ingredients for Crispy Chicken:
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup flour
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into cubes
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Oil for frying
Ingredients for Orange Sauce:
- 1 1/2 teaspoons orange zest
- 1 cup orange juice, fresh is best
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar or white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch and 2 teaspoons water slurry
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil, optional
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped ginger
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes, optional
- 2 large chopped garlic cloves
- 3 teaspoons soy sauce
Ingredients for Garnish:
- Chopped green onions
- Extra orange peel – optional
- Sesame seeds
To make Crispy Orange Chicken All step by step instructions for:
1. Preparing the Chicken
Cut the chicken into small cubes – be careful not to make them too large or too small.
Pat them thoroughly with a paper towel to dry. This will make them crispy.
Making the Coating:
Use a bowl and add the ingredients in the specified quantities and mix thoroughly:
flour, garlic powder, cornstarch, pepper, and salt.
Use another bowl: add the egg and beat it.
Dip the chicken pieces into the egg and coat them thoroughly with the dry flour-cornstarch mixture.
Press them lightly to ensure the coating adheres well.
2. Frying the Chicken Until Crispy
Use a frying pan or pot:
- Heat the oil.
- Once hot, fry the chicken in small batches at 350°F.
- Continue frying for 5 to 6 minutes, until golden and crispy.
- Be careful not to overcrowd the pan.
- This is the secret to crispy chicken.
- Drain the fried chicken thoroughly on a paper towel.
Important tip: For a crispier result, you can double-fry the chicken like in a restaurant.
3. Making the Signature Orange Sauce
- Use a pan – heat a little oil.
- Add garlic and ginger to the pan and sauté until fragrant.
Add the following ingredients:
- Orange juice
- Red pepper flakes
- Orange zest
- Vinegar
- Sugar
- Soy sauce, stir constantly and bring to a boil.
- Now add the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce.
- It should become shiny, sticky, and slightly syrupy.
- Perfect for coating.
- Add a few drops of sesame oil for flavor.
4. Mix and Coat
- Add the crispy fried chicken to the pan.
- Toss well, ensuring every piece is thoroughly coated in the sticky orange glaze.
- Continue cooking for 2 minutes to set the sauce, giving your crispy orange chicken a wonderful texture.
- Sunshine Zest Orange Chicken is ready. Serve and enjoy.
5. Serving
To serve Sunshine Zest Orange Chicken:
- Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped onions, and extra zest and serve with:
- Fried rice
- Roasted vegetables
- Steamed rice
- Stir-fried noodles are great because, “homemade orange chicken” is even better and everyone’s favorite.
Some tips for making a better Orange Chicken recipe:
- Cornstarch for restaurant-style crispiness—don’t omit or modify this as it ensures the crunch that’s perfect for crispy orange chicken.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier bites; breast also works well, but thighs are more tender.
- A fresh zest is the magic ingredient because it leaves a bright flavor that bottled sauce can’t match.
- To balance the tang and sweetness—add vinegar when it’s too sweet.
- Add sugar if it’s too tangy.
- Double-frying makes for a better texture—just like authentic Chinese-style crispy chicken.
Storing Sunshine Zest Orange Chicken:
Refrigerating:
Leftover crispy orange chicken can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 to 5 days.
Freezing:
For best results, keep the chicken separate from the sauce and refrigerate.
Reheating:
To reheat this Orange Chicken recipe:
Air fryer – 380°F for 5 minutes
Oven – 375°F for 10 to 11 minutes
Skillet – Heat the sauce, then toss the chicken in.
If you prefer a crispier texture, do not microwave.
Trying Different Variations of the Orange Chicken Recipe:
For Healthier Orange Chicken – Try baking or air-frying the chicken instead of deep-frying it.
For Honey Orange Chicken – Use honey instead of half the sugar for more flavor.
For Orange Chicken Stir-Fry – Use crispy tofu cubes instead of chicken.
Sunshine Zest Orange Chicken Serving Suggestions:
To serve homemade orange chicken restaurant-quality, try:
- With sautéed broccoli
- For a low-carb version – in a lettuce wrap
- Over basmati rice or jasmine rice
- With dumplings or egg rolls
- Great as an orange chicken bowl with vegetables.
FAQ
Answers to questions about homemade orange chicken and how to fix mistakes:
Q. Can I make the sauce in advance?
Yes! You can make the sauce and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheat and mix with fresh crispy chicken.
Q. How can I thicken the sauce?
Add a little more cornstarch slurry and continue cooking over low heat until it becomes glossy.
Q. Can I make orange chicken without frying it?
Yes! Bake at 400°F for 22 to 25 minutes or air fry at 380°F for 11 to 12 minutes.
Q. Which oranges should I use for crispy orange chicken?
Navel oranges or mandarin oranges give the best flavor to this orange chicken recipe.
Q. Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes! This crispy orange chicken recipe is flexible. You can reduce the sugar by 30% and increase the zest for a more tangy flavor.
Q. How long does it take to cook orange chicken?
Homemade orange chicken can take about 40 minutes from start to finish.
Q. What to serve with crispy orange chicken?
You can serve it with broccoli, steamed rice, fried rice, chow mein, or veggie stir-fry.
Q. Why doesn’t the chicken get crispy?
Mistakes
Overfilling the pan
Oil not being heated properly
Frying not long enough
Not enough cornstarch
Conclusion
Sunshine Zest Orange Chicken is the perfect homemade takeout-style dish. Sweet, crispy, tangy, and incredibly satisfying, the recipe is explained in simple terms. Anyone can make it without a mistake. It’s sure to be a firm favorite, so put on your apron and get cooking now.