Crispy Baked Orange Chicken
A delightful dish of bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a golden crisp and drenched in a sweet and tangy orange sauce, perfect for any occasion.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 400kcal
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Breading
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Cooking Spray
- 1 can cooking spray For spraying the chicken
Orange Sauce
- 1 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or place a wire rack on it.
Set Up the Breading Station
- In three separate bowls, prepare your breading. Place cornstarch in the first bowl, beaten eggs in the second, and mix panko breadcrumbs with salt, pepper, and garlic powder in the third.
Bread the Chicken
- Take each piece of chicken, dip it in cornstarch first, then coat it in beaten eggs, and finally roll it in the panko mixture.
- Place the coated chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray to ensure they get a nice crispy texture.
Bake the Chicken
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time for even browning until the pieces are golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
Prepare the Orange Sauce
- While the chicken is baking, you can make the orange sauce. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the orange juice, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and orange zest. Bring it to a simmer.
Thicken the Sauce
- Mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce until it thickens, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
Combine Chicken and Sauce
- Once the chicken is done baking, place it in a bowl and pour the warm orange sauce over it. Toss gently to coat every piece.
Serve & Enjoy
- For the perfect presentation, serve your Crispy Baked Orange Chicken over a bed of fluffy rice or quinoa. Garnish it with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for that extra touch.
Notes
For the most vibrant flavor, opt for freshly squeezed orange juice. Consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the orange sauce for a spicy kick. You can bread the chicken ahead of time and store it in the fridge for quicker dinner prep.