Name: Sourdough Chinese Orange Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 ½ c chicken broth; ¼ c orange juice; ¼ c lemon juice; ⅓ c rice vinegar; 2 ½ T soy sauce; 3 T orange zest; 1 c brown sugar OR ½ c honey; 1 T fresh ginger root, minced; 2 tsp garlic, minced; 2 T sesame oil; ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (more or less to taste); ¼ c cornstarch; 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cube; Avocado oil to spray; 2 T chopped green onion (for garnish); 1 egg; ½ c milk; 2 T honey; ½ c sourdough starter; 1 ½ c flour; 1 tsp salt; ½ tsp chili powder; ¼ tsp smoked paprika; ¼ tsp cayenne pepper; 1/4 c of chicken stock; 1/4 c corn starch

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This homemade Chinese Orange Chicken recipe has a crispy texture outside and a tender juicy inside! It’s smothered in a sweet and spicy orange sauce that’s irresistible! This is a great way to use an overflowing sourdough starter! Serve it over steamed rice with a side of stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal!

homemade sourdough Chinese orange chicken recipe served on a bed of rice

This Sourdough Orange Chicken recipe is a fantastic twist on the popular Chinese take-out dinner. This is made from the comfort of your home, so you don’t have to wait in line anywhere. It uses fresh natural ingredients, so you won’t find any artificial flavors or preservatives in this meal. The sauce has fresh grated ginger and garlic along with fresh orange zest that makes it hard to put your fork down.

It’s not only incredibly easy and quick to make but oh so much more satisfying with the complexity the sourdough gives the breading on the chicken. Serve it on a bed of fluffy steamed rice or alongside stir-fried vegetables, however, you like it.

Check out Woks of Life if you’d like a sourdough-free version of Orange Chicken, or just to compare the two.

Table of Contents

What is Orange Chicken?

It is a dish that consists of fried pieces of chicken smothered in a tangy orange sweet and spicy sauce. They call it Chinese cuisine in most of North America, but you will rarely see it on a menu in China. It is an American twist on Chinese chicken dishes. Many Americans would claim this as one of their favorite comfort foods.

The orange chicken sauce is oh-so gooey with its sweet and spicy flavors. Most American homemade recipes call for Orange Marmalade and Tangerine peel, you won’t find either in this homemade Chinese orange chicken. It was so good my kids were literally coming back for thirds!

When you need a delicious meal on the table in a hurry, this homemade orange chicken is a sure winner. In about 30 minutes you will be eating your own orange chicken for dinner!

Cadence Farmhouse pinable image for Sourdough Chinese Orange Chicken Recipe

Why You Will Love This Chinese Orange Chicken Recipe:

The sweetness balances out the spiciness so neither one is overpowering.
This made-from-scratch sauce doesn’t have all the preservatives store-bought sauce has.
This recipe makes even the pickiest of eaters satisfied.
You can trade the meat for pork or rabbit easily.
You can make it more or less spicy, according to your taste buds by adding more or less red pepper flakes.
The sauce is smooth, not gritty, and will surely make your face smile.

How to Get the Crispiest Orange Chicken:

Let the excess egg drip off before breading.
Spray the chicken with enough avocado oil. Too light will result in dry powdery chicken. Too much will result in soggy saturated chicken.
Rest the cooked chicken on paper towels to absorb the extra oil.
Cook the sauce until heated and thick, before adding the cooked chicken at the last minute.

TOOLS LIST for Chinese Orange Chicken:

Zester for Oranges
Dutch oven or baking sheet: Depends on which method you want to use to cook
2 medium-sized mixing bowls to dredge and bread chicken
Knife and cutting board to cut chicken

INGREDIENTS LIST:

Chinese Orange Chicken Sauce Ingredients:

Chicken broth
orange juice & zest
lemon juice
rice vinegar
rice wine
soy sauce
Honey OR brown sugar, white sugar
fresh ginger root, minced
garlic, minced
sesame oil
red peppers flakes (more or less to taste)

Cornstarch Mixture:

cornstarch
chicken stock

Chicken:

boneless skinless chicken breast OR boneless skinless chicken thighs
Avocado oil to spray OR 2 c sesame oil to fry in
chopped green onion (for garnish)

Egg for Dredging:

egg
milk
honey
sourdough starter

Flour for Breading:

flour
salt
black pepper (or white pepper)
chili powder
garlic powder
smoked paprika
cayenne pepper
sesame seeds for garnish
green onions for garnish

HOW TO MAKE RECIPE:

Step 1: Cut the Chicken

Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces about the size of 1” cubes.

Pro Tip: The dark meat from boneless skinless chicken thighs is usually more tender, moist, and flavorful than the lighter meats. Salt it lightly and let it rest in a small bowl while you are preparing the tangy orange sauce.

Step 2: Mix Sauce Ingredients

Mix all the sauce ingredients in a medium saucepan except the cornstarch. Then simmer on medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes. Mix the corn starch in 1/4 c of chicken stock to make a cornstarch slurry. Slowly pour into the sauce while whisking quickly. Simmer for an additional few minutes, until the consistency is a thick sticky sauce. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Pro Tip: At this point make sure to stop and taste the sauce. And add more of anything if you need to adjust it to your tastebuds.

Orange chicken sauce being stirred with a cute wooden spoon

Step 3: Mix the Flour for Breading Together

Mix the flour breading ingredients in a separate medium bowl.

Step 4: Mix Egg Dredge

Mix egg dredge ingredients in a large bowl. Add the chicken pieces a few at a time to the egg dredge bowl. Remove chicken from the egg dredge, and let the excess drip off when removing.

Step 5: Dredge the Chicken in the Flour

Roll the wet chicken pieces in the flour breading till thoroughly coated.

Orange Chicken with sourdough breading being fried in cast iron pan

Step 6: Fry Chicken in Batches

Heat a heavy-bottomed pot like a large skillet or Dutch oven with oil over medium-high heat till 350 degrees F. Fry the chicken in small batches in a single layer, not overcrowding the pan. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 160* and the exterior is golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the fried chicken pieces to a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack. Then let it rest to remove any excess oil and make sure you end up with a crispy coating on them.

sourdough orange chicken frying in a black cast iron pan

Step 7: Warm Sauce and Add Chicken

Return the sauce to the stove on medium-low, add the chicken pieces, and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

What to Serve with Orange Chicken?

It is usually served over white rice at Chinese restaurants, but our favorite is to serve with brown rice. It adds a more complex flavor and is more nutritious. Make sure to sprinkle a little bit of green onions on top for garnish. Some stir-fried veggies and chow mein noodles are a must too!

Orange Chicken brings back memories of eating Panda Express in the Denver Airport shortly after it was built. I was in 7th grade and had flown for the first time to visit my grandparents. It was my first time having Panda Express, and I have always been a fan of Orange Chicken since!

This, however, really is the best orange chicken I’ve ever had. It’s for sure better than any Chinese takeout copycat recipe I’ve tried. The crispy fried chicken in this easy orange chicken recipe always satisfies my children’s hungry tummies.

Since the ingredients are fresh they not only taste better than Panda Express, but it doesn’t have any preservatives or artificial flavorings either. And since you are making it from scratch you can control the amount of sweetener and spicy red chili flakes to put in it, making it versatile.

The only change I have tried in the past is swapping the white rice for cauliflower rice. It sure doesn’t taste as amazing, but it is a healthier low-carb option for people who would prefer that.

FAQ/ Questions:

How do I Know the Chicken is Cooked all the Way?

Using a thermometer is the safest way to know. Simply insert it into a piece of chicken, and verify the internal temperature has reached 160*. Another way to tell is to cut a piece of chicken in half and make sure there is no pink inside. The outer breading will be golden brown and crispy.

Can Orange Chicken be Prepared in Advance?

Yes. Cook the chicken and sauce separately. Then store separately in an airtight container in the fridge. This should stay good for 2 – 3 days. To reheat, warm sauce on the stove while the chicken is reheating in the oven. Add the heated chicken to the now-warm sauce, simmer for 3-4 minutes together then serve!

What is the Best Oil to Fry With?

Sesame oil or canola oil is traditionally used for deep frying the chicken. It’s just as good to use olive oil or peanut oil as long as you are using hot oil. My personal favorite is avocado oil because it has a high smoke point of 520*, which makes for a healthy orange chicken.

Can Orange Chicken Be Frozen?

Yes. If the chicken and sauce were already mixed together, it might not be as crispy when reheated. I suggest freezing them in separate containers, one for the cooked chicken and one for the sauce, for best results when reheating. This helps ensure it will maintain its crispiness. Just remember to use an airtight container to freeze.

Why is This Orange Chicken Better than Takeout?

This orange chicken is better than takeout because the ingredients are fresh. It’s healthier because it has no preservatives, it uses sourdough in the breading, and avocado oil for the frying.

Can Orange Chicken be Made in a Slow Cooker?

Yes, orange chicken can be made in a slow cooker. There is a totally different way to make it though. Here is a good recipe for making slow-cooker orange chicken.

Best Way to Reheat Orange Chicken?

We like to reheat Orange Chicken in the oven at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes covered in a glass baking dish.

How Can I Make This Orange Chicken Spicy?

You can make this orange chicken spicy by adding more red pepper flakes to the sauce before you cook it. I suggest about ½ – 1 tsp if you like it hot.

Can You Cook Orange Chicken in an Air Fryer?

Yes, you can cook Orange chicken in an Air Fryer. It makes for an exceptionally crispy chicken. Cook it in the basket at 400 degrees F for 12-14 minutes until golden crispy brown.

What is Orange Chicken Sauce Made of?

Orange chicken sauce is made of garlic, ginger, orange juice, honey, red pepper flakes, sesame oil, chicken broth, cornstarch zest, lemon juice, rice vinegar, rice wine, and soy sauce.

What’s the Difference Between General Tso Chicken and Orange Chicken?

Orange Chicken and General Tso’s chicken are both crispy breaded and smothered in a sweet, sticky savory sauce. But Orange chicken has the citrus flavor as the main focus and is sweeter, whereas General Tso’s chicken doesn’t have the citrus and is more spicy and savory.

More Chinese Food Recipes:

More Cadence Farmhouse Recipes to Try:

Sourdough Chinese Orange Chicken

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

This homemade sourdough orange chicken recipe has a crispy texture outside and a tender juicy inside! It's smothered in a sweet and spicy orange sauce that’s irresistible! This is a great way to use an overflowing sourdough starter! Serve it over steamed rice with a side of stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal!