Sticky Orange Glazed Chicken
Sticky Orange Glazed Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for frying
For the Orange Glaze
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
For Garnish
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, toss the cut chicken pieces with 1/4 cup of cornstarch until evenly coated. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. In another very small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Set both aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the cornstarch-coated chicken in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Repeat with remaining chicken, adding more oil if needed.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
Once all chicken is cooked, carefully wipe out any excess oil from the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Pour the orange glaze mixture into the skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Once simmering, slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens to a glossy, syrupy consistency, about 2-3 minutes.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss gently to coat evenly with the sticky orange glaze. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the flavors.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Remove from heat. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving. Serve immediately with steamed rice and your favorite vegetables.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Sticky Orange Glazed Chicken
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for frying
For the Orange Glaze
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
For Garnish
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, toss the cut chicken pieces with 1/4 cup of cornstarch until evenly coated. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. In another very small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Set both aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the cornstarch-coated chicken in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Repeat with remaining chicken, adding more oil if needed.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
Once all chicken is cooked, carefully wipe out any excess oil from the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Pour the orange glaze mixture into the skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Once simmering, slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens to a glossy, syrupy consistency, about 2-3 minutes.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss gently to coat evenly with the sticky orange glaze. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the flavors.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Remove from heat. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving. Serve immediately with steamed rice and your favorite vegetables.
⏱️ 2 min