This Orange Chicken recipe is so easy to make at home in less than 30 minutes! Seasoned chicken breast is sautéed until golden and smothered in the very BEST homemade orange sauce!
Enjoy the take-out experience from your very own kitchen with recipes like Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef, One Pot Teriyaki Chicken and Noodles and Sweet and Sour Pork.
Table of Contents
- Reader Rating
- Why we love this Orange Chicken Recipe:
- Orange Chicken Ingredients Needed:
- How to make Orange Chicken
- Variations and Substitutions
- How to store Orange Chicken
- Can I freeze this Orange Chicken recipe?
- Serving suggestions:
- More Chinese-inspired recipes you’ll love!
- Easy Orange Chicken Recipe Recipe
Orange Chicken is pretty much the pinnacle of Chinese take-out cuisine. Tender, golden bites of chicken served in a thick, sweet orange sauce? Yes please!
While I’ve ordered Orange Chicken a time or twenty, nothing I’ve had from a take-out restaurant can compare to this easy skillet recipe. It’s truly got the very best flavor and consistency.
The sauce is made with bold ingredients like soy sauce, marmalade and orange juice to create the most mouthwatering sweet and tangy flavor. There’s also some garlic and ginger in there to really send it over the top!
Reader Rating
“This was a wonderful recipe! I’ve tried a few orange chicken recipes at home, and this was by far the best. Also great is that it seems much healthier than the take-out version. My family (including a picky 6-year-old) loved it. Thanks, Ashley!” — Brooke
Why we love this Orange Chicken Recipe:
- Better than take-out: Yes, really! Between all of the bold fresh flavors and crispy (not greasy) consistency, it’s easy to say this is better than any take-out I’ve had.
- Quick: You can have this from pan to table in less than 30 minutes total. Such a quick and easy recipe!
- Versatile: Serve this over white rice, brown rice, quinoa, noodles, or eat it all by itself. There are so many ways to get creative when it comes to plating Orange Chicken.
Orange Chicken Ingredients Needed:
- Chicken – Chicken breasts are my favorite cut of meat for Orange Chicken. Feel free to swap them with thighs if you’d like.
- Marmalade – Sweet orange marmalade adds a thicker consistency and vibrant orange flavor to the sauce. If you find that your marmalade is a bit bitter, no worries! Add a little extra honey to compensate.
- Orange Juice – Juice squeezed right from the orange will create the very best flavor. In a pinch you can of course use bottled orange juice instead!
- Broth – Chicken broth is my favorite to use. In a pinch water will also work just fine.
- Soy Sauce – You can use tamari or coconut aminos instead if preferred.
- Cornstarch – This is what gives the chicken a nice crisp consistency.
- Garlic – Feel free to add a little extra garlic if desired! Just keep in mind that garlic is pretty potent and you don’t want it to overpower the other ingredients.
- Ginger – Minced ginger adds the best flavor. In a pinch you can substitute it for ground ginger.
- Vinegar – Just a little bit goes a long way with that tangy flavor!
- Seasonings – All you need is a little salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Feel free to omit the salt if you’re worried about too much sodium.
How to make Orange Chicken
Grab your skillet and let’s get to work! For more detailed instructions and ingredient measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.
- Add the chicken in a bowl with cornstarch, salt and pepper. Toss to coat.
- Heat oil in a skillet over high heat. Add the chicken and cook until just browned on all sides. Keep in mind that you may need to do this in batches!
- Make the sauce by whisking together juice, broth, marmalade, soy sauce, cornstarch, vinegar, garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes.
- Once the chicken is browned, reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the sauce. Cook and stir often until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked all the way through.
Variations and Substitutions
- Change the chicken: You can feel free to use chicken thighs instead of breasts if preferred. This sauce is also delicious with pork!
- Make it gluten free: Cornstarch is naturally gluten free. The only ingredient you’d have to swap in this Orange Chicken recipe is the soy sauce! Simply use a gluten free alternative like coconut aminos. Be sure to check the labels on all other ingredients just in case.
- Add some spice: I like to include just a small pinch of red pepper flakes for a little extra flavor. Feel free to add more to turn up the heat! Just keep in mind that a little goes a long way and once they’re mixed in, there’s really no taking them out.
How to store Orange Chicken
In an airtight container in the fridge, any leftovers you have will stay fresh for about 2-3 days. Reheat in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until warmed through.
Can I freeze this Orange Chicken recipe?
Yes! Let it fully cool to room temperature prior to storing in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Don’t forget to date and label! When you’re ready to reheat it, let it first defrost in the fridge for a few hours.
Serving suggestions:
Ready for the best take-out night ever without having to order out? Pair your homemade Orange Chicken with some Vegetable Lo Mein and Chicken Lettuce Wraps!
For simple sides to soak up that sauce, I recommend Baked Rice or Instant Pot Jasmine Rice, along with Roasted Green Beans for a pop of color.
More Chinese-inspired recipes you’ll love!
- Sweet and Sour Chicken — with the best sauce!
- Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken and Rice — it basically cooks itself 😉
- One Pot Chicken Chow Mein — a reader favorite!
- Pineapple Chicken — sweet and tangy.
Easy Orange Chicken Recipe
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1″ cubes
- 3 tablespoons corn starch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon oil
- ½ cup orange juice (fresh squeezed is best)
- ⅓ cup low sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup orange marmalade
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoons corn starch
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Place chicken pieces in a large bowl and add 3 tablespoons corn starch, salt and pepper. Stir to coat.
- Heat a large pan over high heat and add oil.
- Add chicken to the pan and cook over high heat, turning once, just until browned, about 2 minutes per side. You may have to do this in batches.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce. Whisk together the juice, chicken broth, marmalade, soy sauce, 2 tablespoons corn starch, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes.
- Once chicken is browned, reduce heat to medium and add the sauce. Cook and stir until sauce has thickened and chicken is cooked through (165 degrees F minimum), about 10 minutes.
- Serve over rice as desired.
Notes
- Chicken: boneless, skinless chicken is my preference for this recipe, but boneless chicken thighs will also work if you prefer dark meat.
- Marmalade: a little orange marmalade adds thickness and orange flavor. A sweet marmalade is best for this recipe — if your marmalade is bitter, you may want to swap for additional orange juice, or add honey to compensate.
- Orange juice: fresh squeeze orange juice gives the best flavor, but a carton can be subbed in if necessary.
- Broth: chicken broth adds a bit more savory flavor, but you can sub for water if needed.
Nutrition Information
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Toni Bullock says
Looking forward to your Orange Chicken! How many lbs chicken should I use? 1lb, 2lbs? Chicken breast varies so much now! Thank you!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Toni! I didn’t weigh it and for this recipe it doesn’t make that much of a difference as long as you are using 2 breast. Enjoy!
Denise Patricia Simpson says
Yes I have for my daughter. I wouldn’t put pepper flakes in though. Served it with rice. Maybe I put too much pepper flakes.
Very good recipe.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Denise! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for tis review!
wilhelmina says
You can’t go wrong with this one, easy and delicious!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Wilhelmina!
Jenn says
Loving this sweet and savory goodness! Thank you so much for the recipe – my family is obsessed with orange chicken!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jenn! We love it too!
Jen L says
This recipe was very fast to make and turned out just deliciously. Thanks! I’ll be adding into the rotation.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jen! It’s a favorite here too!
Jocelyn says
Orange chicken is one of our family favorites for takeout. I’m excited to make it at home now!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jocelyn!
Anna says
Orange chicken is a favorite here! So delicious!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Anna!
krissy says
This recipe is so easy and delicious! You can have it with rice or pasta! either way so good!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Krissy!
Erin says
This is so easy to make and so much better than take out.
Ashley Fehr says
Homemade is always better!
Steph says
My family couldn’t stop talking about how good this was and the sauce was perfection!!
Ashley Fehr says
THanks Steph! I’m so happy to hear that!
mark says
This was delicious! The sauce thickened so nicely, and we served it over cooked cabbage for a low carb alternative.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Mark!
Ronnie says
Is it okay to leave out the chicken broth?
Ashley Fehr says
You can, it just tones down the acidity and sweetness and allows for a little extra sauce to go around 🙂
Brooke Rollins says
This was a wonderful recipe! I’ve tried a few orange chicken recipes at home, and this was by far the best. Also great is that it seems much healthier than the take-out version. My family (including a picky 6-year-old) loved it. Thanks, Ashley!
Ashley Fehr says
That makes me so happy! Thanks Brooke!
Erika Miller says
Tried this tonight – excellent! I subbed the white vinegar for rice vinegar but left everything else the same. Kids loved it!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Erika! I’m so happy to hear that!
Soumyadip@Allchickenrecipes.com says
Loved this recipe!! Looks amazing
Diana K Roberts says
Recipe says to add soy sauce in directions, but not listed in the ingredients or a measurement for how much to add.
Ashley Fehr says
Soy sauce is listed in the ingredients under marmalade
April says
This is one of my favorite meals! It’s so easy to make and tastes amazing!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so happy to hear that April!
Colleen Benedict says
Instead of unsweetened orange juice, could I use the juice from an orange as the “orange Juice”?
Ashley Fehr says
Definitely! You just may have to adjust the sweetness depending on how sweet or sour the orange is
Zainab says
This is my kind of weeknight meal! Love that sweet flavor!
Danielle says
That sauce just looks amazing. I love the flavors here, especially the orange marmalade! Great easy weeknight meal.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Danielle!