Spicy Orange Chicken

Brighten up your dinner table with this flavor-packed Spicy Orange Chicken recipe—a tantalizing fusion of sweet and savory with a fiery kick. Tender, lightly battered chicken thighs are fried to golden perfection, then coated in a glossy, homemade orange sauce that combines the citrusy tang of fresh orange juice and zest with the warmth of ginger, garlic, and sambal oelek chili paste. A hint of honey and soy sauce rounds out the flavors, creating a perfectly balanced glaze that clings to every bite. Finished with a sprinkle of green onions and optional sesame seeds, this easy-to-make dish is ideal for weeknight meals or special occasions. Pair it with steamed rice for a complete, irresistible meal that’s sure to impress. Perfect for fans of spicy, Asian-inspired cuisine, this recipe is a must-try!

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 0.5 cup cornstarch
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 large egg
• 0.5 cup cold water
• 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
• 0.5 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon sambal oelek (chili paste)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (for sauce slurry)
• 2 teaspoons water (for sauce slurry)
• 2 stalks green onions, sliced
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and set them aside.

Step 2

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, flour, baking powder, egg, and cold water until a smooth batter forms.

Step 3

Heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C).

Step 4

Coat the chicken pieces in the batter, then carefully drop them into the hot oil. Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking for 4-5 minutes or until golden brown and fully cooked. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 5

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sambal oelek, garlic, and ginger. Stir and bring to a boil.

Step 6

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Add the slurry to the sauce, stirring constantly, and cook until the sauce thickens (about 2 minutes). Remove from heat.

Step 7

In a large bowl, toss the fried chicken pieces with the orange sauce until evenly coated.

Step 8

Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, if desired, and serve hot with steamed rice or your choice of sides.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1536.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5815.5

Total Fat 537.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 84.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 786.5mg	0%
Sodium 2327.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 157.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.5g	0%
Total Sugars 64.3g
Protein 138.3g	0%

Vitamin D 85.5IU	0%
Calcium 257.6mg	0%
Iron 11.0mg	0%
Potassium 1827.1mg	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: 80.4%

Protein: 9.2%

Carbs: 10.5%