Orange Chicken Sauce Recipe

Orange Chicken that is baked, NOT FRIED, smothered in an irresistible sweet and tangy orange sauce on your table in 35 minutes! To make this easy orange chicken recipe, the bite-size chicken gets tossed in a simple breading then is baked and broiled to crispy perfection then is bathed in the most-lick-the-plate alluring, multidimensional orange sauce ever! It’s sticky, sweet and tangy infused with orange juice, orange marmalade and a splash of lemon juice for plenty of citrus punch all balanced by sugar, soy sauce, hoisin, garlic and ginger. The layered complex flavors combined with the crispy, juicy chicken is out of this world! Serve this Orange Chicken with rice and stir fried vegetables and you have an easy weeknight meal your whole family will love!

📝 Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs (cut into 1" pieces)
• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup sweet orange marmalade ((not regular, see notes)*)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar, (more or less to taste)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons quality hoisin sauce (like Lee Kum Kee or Kikkoman)
• 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Asian hot red chili sauce ( optional)
• 1/2 tsp EACH salt, garlic powder, ginger powder, onion powder
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a nonstick mat or foil and lightly spray with cooking spray. Place baking sheet in the oven to heat up.
2. 2Meanwhile, whisk the Breading flour, salt and pepper together in a freezer bag. Whisk eggs together in a separate freezer bag or shallow bowl.
3. 3Add chicken to eggs and turn/stir to coat. Working in batches, remove coated chicken from bag, dabbing off excess egg wash with paper towels then add chicken to Breading bag. Seal bag and toss until chicken is evenly coated.
4. 4Carefully place chicken on the hot baking sheet in an even layer and spray generously with cooking spray. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes then move the baking sheet about 8" away from broiler and broil until crispy, watching closely so the chicken doesn't burn (about 2-4 minutes). Flip chicken pieces over and broil another 2-3 minutes, or until crispy.
5. 5While the chicken is baking, make the Orange Sauce. Whisk all of the Orange Sauce ingredients together in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly then reduce to a simmer until thickened, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
6. 6Add baked chicken to a large bowl then pour sauce over chicken. Stir until evenly coated. Serve over rice and garnish with green onions if desired.