Applebee's Crispy Orange Chicken Bowl

Recreate the restaurant magic at home with this irresistible copycat recipe for Applebee's Crispy Orange Chicken Bowl! Featuring tender, golden-fried chicken thighs coated in a light, flavorful batter and glazed in a tangy, sweet orange sauce, this bowl is a perfect balance of crunch and zest. Served over a bed of fluffy white rice and paired with tender-crisp steamed broccoli and carrots, each bite is as satisfying as it is vibrant. Finished with garnishes of green onions and optional sesame seeds, this crowd-pleasing dish combines bold flavors and textures for a restaurant-style meal you can enjoy from your own kitchen. Perfect for weeknight dinners or a special treat, this recipe is an easy way to elevate your home cooking game.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 0.5 cup Cornstarch
• 0.5 cup All-purpose flour
• 2 Eggs
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 2 cups Vegetable oil (for frying)
• 0.75 cup Orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
• 2 tbsp Soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp Honey
• 2 tbsp Brown sugar
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp Ginger (grated)
• 1 tbsp Cornstarch (for sauce thickening)
• 2 tbsp Water (for cornstarch slurry)
• 2 cups White rice
• 1.5 cups Broccoli florets
• 1 cup Carrots (julienned or thinly sliced)
• 2 Green onions (sliced for garnish)
• 1 tbsp Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Cook 2 cups of white rice according to package instructions and set aside.

Step 2

Cut 1 lb of chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.

Step 3

In a mixing bowl, whisk together 2 eggs, 1 tsp salt, and 0.5 tsp black pepper.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, combine 0.5 cup of cornstarch and 0.5 cup of all-purpose flour.

Step 5

Dip the chicken pieces into the egg mixture, then coat with the cornstarch and flour mixture. Set aside on a plate.

Step 6

Heat 2 cups of vegetable oil in a deep pan or skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).

Step 7

Fry the chicken pieces in batches for 4-5 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 8

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 0.75 cup orange juice, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp grated ginger. Stir until the ingredients are well mixed.

Step 9

In a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water to create a slurry. Slowly add the slurry to the saucepan, whisking constantly, and cook until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat.

Step 10

Steam 1.5 cups broccoli florets and 1 cup julienned carrots until tender-crisp.

Step 11

In serving bowls, layer the cooked white rice, steamed vegetables, and crispy chicken.

Step 12

Drizzle the orange sauce over the chicken and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.

Step 13

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2097.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6390.3

Total Fat 539.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 85.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 939.0mg	0%
Sodium 4217.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 273.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.5g	0%
Total Sugars 77.4g
Protein 158.8g	0%

Vitamin D 113.8IU	0%
Calcium 434.5mg	0%
Iron 14.6mg	0%
Potassium 2531.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 73.7%

Protein: 9.7%

Carbs: 16.6%