Orange Chicken Copycat Recipe

Satisfy your takeout cravings with this irresistible Orange Chicken Copycat Recipe, a homemade version of the beloved restaurant classic. Made with tender, bite-sized chunks of juicy chicken thighs coated in a crispy, golden batter and tossed in a sweet, tangy orange glaze, this dish is bursting with bold flavors. Freshly squeezed orange juice, a touch of ginger, garlic, and red chili flakes give the sauce its addictive balance of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy notes, while orange zest adds a vibrant citrusy aroma. Perfect for a family dinner or meal prep, this easy-to-follow recipe comes together in under an hour and pairs beautifully with steamed rice or sautéed vegetables. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds for a picture-perfect finish that’s sure to impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 0.5 cup cornstarch
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 4 cups vegetable oil for frying
• 0.75 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
• 0.5 cup sugar
• 0.25 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 0.5 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for sauce thickening)
• 2 tablespoons water (for cornstarch slurry)
• 1 zest of an orange
• 2 green onions for garnish
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds for garnish

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

In a bowl, whisk the eggs. In a separate bowl, combine the cornstarch and all-purpose flour.

Step 3

Heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat to approximately 350°F.

Step 4

Dip each chicken piece in the whisked eggs, then coat it in the cornstarch-flour mixture. Repeat for all chicken pieces.

Step 5

Fry the chicken in batches for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 6

In a medium saucepan, combine orange juice, sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red chili flakes. Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.

Step 7

Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry, then add it to the saucepan. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Step 8

Stir in the orange zest and remove the sauce from the heat.

Step 9

Toss the fried chicken pieces in the orange sauce until each piece is well-coated.

Step 10

Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Step 11

Serve immediately over steamed rice or alongside your favorite vegetables.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2050.5 grams (2050.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	10163

Total Fat 1011.50g	1297%
Saturated Fat 152.60g	763%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.10g
Cholesterol 939mg	313%
Sodium 2913mg	127%
Total Carbohydrate 211.80g	77%
Dietary Fiber 5.50g	20%
Total Sugars 117.10g
Protein 146.40g	293%

Vitamin D 114IU	569%
Calcium 276mg	21%
Iron 12mg	67%
Potassium 2003mg	43%

*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: 86.4%

Protein: 5.6%

Carbs: 8.0%