Baked Orange Chicken Recipe
Introduction
Baked Orange Chicken is a delicious and healthier twist on the classic fried favorite. Made with a tangy, sweet orange sauce reminiscent of Panda Express, this recipe uses baked chicken thighs for a crispy, flavorful result in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, divided
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons rice wine (white wine works too)
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (after zesting orange)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 10 tablespoons sugar
- 10 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 orange, zested
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the panko breadcrumbs in a food processor and pulse until they become smaller, similar to regular breadcrumbs.
- Step 2: Prepare four bowls: one with the processed panko, one with the chicken cut into small chunks, one with the beaten eggs, and one with the flour.
- Step 3: Coat each piece of chicken by dipping it first into the flour, then the egg, and finally the breadcrumbs. Arrange coated chicken pieces on a baking sheet and lightly spray with cooking spray or brush with vegetable oil.
- Step 4: Bake the chicken for 20-25 minutes until cooked through and crispy. While baking, prepare the sauce.
- Step 5: Heat the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced ginger, garlic, and crushed red pepper. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 6: Stir in cornstarch, rice wine, fresh orange juice, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, white vinegar, and orange zest. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until the sauce thickens, then turn off the heat and wait for the chicken to finish baking.
- Step 7: Once the chicken is done, toss it in the orange sauce until well coated. Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- For an extra crispy coating, double-dip the chicken in egg and breadcrumbs before baking.
- Use chicken breast if you prefer leaner meat, but bake carefully to avoid drying out.
- Add a pinch of chili flakes to the sauce for a spicier kick.
- Swap white vinegar for apple cider vinegar for a slightly fruitier tang.
Storage
Store leftover baked orange chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or oven to keep the coating crisp. Avoid microwaving directly as it may soften the coating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken thighs for this recipe?
Yes, but make sure to fully thaw and pat dry the chicken before breading to ensure a crispy texture.
Is this sauce gluten-free?
Not as written, since soy sauce usually contains gluten. Use a gluten-free tamari or soy sauce alternative to make it gluten-free.
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Baked Orange Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Baked Orange Chicken recipe is a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken, featuring a delicious homemade orange sauce inspired by Panda Express. The chicken is coated in panko breadcrumbs and baked until crispy, then tossed in a tangy, sweet orange sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a perfect easy weeknight main course with bright Chinese flavors.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, divided
For the Sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons rice wine (white wine works too)
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (from zested orange)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 10 tablespoons sugar
- 10 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 orange, zested
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Breadcrumbs: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Add the panko breadcrumbs to a food processor and pulse until the crumbs are finely ground, resembling regular breadcrumbs.
- Set Up Breading Stations: Place the processed panko in one bowl. Cut chicken thighs into small bite-sized chunks and add to a second bowl. Beat the eggs in a third bowl and place the flour in a fourth bowl.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken piece first into the flour, shaking off excess, then into the beaten eggs, and finally into the panko breadcrumbs, ensuring they are well coated. Arrange the coated chicken pieces on a baking sheet. Lightly spray with cooking spray or brush with vegetable oil for crispiness.
- Bake the Chicken: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until fully cooked and crispy on the outside.
- Prepare the Orange Sauce: While the chicken bakes, heat the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced ginger, garlic, and crushed red pepper; cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Make the Sauce Mixture: Add cornstarch, rice wine, fresh orange juice, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, white vinegar, and orange zest to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens, then remove from heat and keep warm.
- Toss and Serve: Once the chicken is done baking, transfer it to a large bowl and toss with the prepared orange sauce until evenly coated. Serve hot immediately.
Notes
- Using boneless, skinless chicken thighs ensures tender, juicy chicken but you can substitute with chicken breasts if preferred.
- Pulse the panko breadcrumbs finely for the best coating texture and even crispiness.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper for desired heat level in the sauce.
- To keep the chicken extra crispy after baking, avoid tossing them too early in the sauce—wait until just before serving.
- White vinegar is key for the tangy balance in the sauce; do not omit.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated but sauce may thicken further; add a splash of water if needed when warming.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Chinese
Keywords: Baked Orange Chicken, Panda Express copycat, orange chicken recipe, baked chicken, Chinese cuisine, healthier orange chicken
