Baked Orange Chicken: A Delightful Family Favorite

Baked Orange Chicken is a juicy, crispy treat that’s incredibly easy to whip up. This healthy, family-friendly dish is bursting with vibrant flavors and perfect for busy weeknights. You’ll fall in love with its sweet and tangy sauce, making it a must-try!

The Best Baked Orange Chicken Recipe

Why This Baked Orange Chicken is a Must-Try

This baked orange chicken is not only simple to prepare, but it’s also a healthier alternative to traditional fried versions. The crispy, panko-coated chicken pairs beautifully with a fresh, zesty orange sauce. Plus, it’s a hit with kids and adults alike, making it the perfect dinner solution for families.

Key Ingredients for Delicious Baked Orange Chicken

To create this savory dish, you’ll need:

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons rice wine (or white wine as a substitute)
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
• 10 tablespoons sugar
• 10 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 orange, zested

How to Make Baked Orange Chicken

Preparing the Chicken for Baking

First, preheat your oven to 400°F. Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized chunks. Set up four bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, one with finely processed panko breadcrumbs, and the last for the seasoned chicken. This setup makes coating easy and efficient!

Crafting the Flavorful Orange Sauce

While your chicken is baking, prepare the luscious orange sauce. Heat the remaining vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced ginger, garlic, and crushed red pepper, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then, stir in cornstarch, rice wine, fresh orange juice, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, white vinegar, and orange zest.

Baking the Chicken to Perfection

Coat the chicken pieces sequentially in flour, then egg, and finally in breadcrumbs. Place the coated chicken on a baking sheet and lightly spray with cooking spray or brush with oil. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.

Combining Chicken and Sauce

Once the chicken is perfectly baked, toss it in the orange sauce until well-coated. The juicy chicken will absorb all the bright flavors of the sauce, creating an irresistible dish that’s sure to impress.

Tips and Variations for Your Baked Orange Chicken

Sauce Flavor Enhancements

If you want to mix things up, try using marmalade or brown sugar in the sauce for a different twist. Adjust the level of crushed red pepper to suit your spice preference!

Garnishes and Presentation

For an elegant touch, garnish your baked orange chicken with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, or extra crushed red pepper. These additions bring color and flavor to the dish, making it even more appealing.

Serving Suggestions for Baked Orange Chicken

Serve your baked orange chicken with Chinese steamed rice or chow mein for a complete meal. It also pairs wonderfully with fried rice or dim sum items like crab rangoon and egg rolls, making your dinner a delightful feast!

FAQs

Related Recipes to try

• Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
• Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs 2
• Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
• Chicken Marinade
• Crispy Chicken
• Chicken Sweet Heat Oven Baked

Conclusion

This baked orange chicken is the perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors, making it a delightful dish for any meal. For more delicious recipes, don’t forget to check out Pinterest for inspiration and ideas. Happy cooking!

Baked Orange Chicken: A Delightful Family Favorite

A healthier baked version of classic orange chicken, featuring crispy panko-coated chicken tossed in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. Perfect for a family-friendly meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American, Asian

Servings 4 servings

Equipment

• food processor
• baking sheet
• saucepan
• shallow bowls

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into small chunks
• 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 is a substitute
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
• 10 tablespoons sugar
• 10 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 orange zested

Garnish (Optional)

• green onions
• sesame seeds
• extra crushed red pepper

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pulse panko breadcrumbs in a food processor until finely ground to achieve a texture similar to traditional fried chicken.
• Prepare four separate shallow bowls: one with the finely ground panko, one with the chicken pieces, one with the beaten eggs, and one with the flour. Dredge each chicken piece sequentially through the flour, then the beaten egg, and finally coat thoroughly in the panko breadcrumbs.
• Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet. Lightly spray with cooking spray or brush with a little vegetable oil for crispiness.
• Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
• While the chicken is baking, heat the remaining vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced ginger, garlic, and crushed red pepper, and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Whisk in the cornstarch, rice wine, fresh orange juice, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, white vinegar, and orange zest into the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, until the sauce has thickened.
• Once the chicken is baked and the sauce is thickened, toss the chicken pieces with the orange sauce until evenly coated. Serve immediately.

Notes

• For sauce variations, consider using marmalade or brown sugar instead of white sugar. White wine can be used as a substitute for rice wine.
• Garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or extra crushed red pepper for added flavor and visual appeal.
• This dish pairs wonderfully with Chinese Steamed Rice, Chow Mein, Fried Rice, or dim sum items like Crab Rangoon, Egg Rolls, and Spring Rolls.

Notes

Processing panko breadcrumbs in a food processor creates a finer texture, mimicking classic fried orange chicken. For sauce variations, consider using marmalade or brown sugar, and white wine can substitute rice wine. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, or extra crushed red pepper. Serve with rice or dim sum items.

Keyword baked orange chicken, easy orange chicken, family favorite chicken, healthy orange chicken