Asian Glazed Orange Chicken
Asian Glazed Orange Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish featuring crispy bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a sticky, vibrant orange glaze bursting with sweet, tangy, and savory notes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe balances citrus brightness with subtle spices and offers a satisfying texture contrast. Easily customizable and family-friendly, it brings restaurant-quality flavor to your home kitchen in under 30 minutes.
- Author: Gloria
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
Orange Glaze
- 3/4 cup fresh orange juice (about 2–3 oranges)
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and pat them dry with paper towels to ensure the coating sticks well. Toss the chicken chunks in cornstarch until they are evenly coated. Set aside while you prepare the sauce.
- Make the Orange Glaze: In a bowl, whisk together fresh orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce (or tamari), honey or brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes if using. This bright, savory glaze forms the heart of the dish.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a generous layer of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. When hot, add the coated chicken pieces in a single layer (cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding). Fry until golden and crispy on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Combine and Glaze: Pour the orange glaze into the same skillet and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly. Return the crispy chicken to the pan and toss gently to coat each piece evenly with the glossy sauce.
- Finish and Garnish: Turn off the heat and sprinkle sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds over the chicken for freshness and crunch. Serve immediately while the glaze is warm and sticky.
Notes
- Pat the chicken dry before coating to ensure a crunchy texture when frying.
- Cook chicken in batches to avoid steaming and to maintain crispiness.
- Use freshly squeezed orange juice for the best flavor difference compared to bottled juice.
- Adjust the amount of honey or sugar to suit your preferred sweetness level.
- Toss the chicken with the glaze off the heat to keep it glossy and prevent burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: thirty-five g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: orange chicken, Asian orange chicken, crispy chicken, orange glaze, quick chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, gluten-free chicken