Ingredients
– 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
– ¼ cup cornstarch
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
– 1 teaspoon minced garlic
– 1 teaspoon minced ginger
– 1 cup fresh orange juice (about 2-3 oranges)
– 1 tablespoon soy sauce
– ½ cup brown sugar
– 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
– 1 teaspoon orange zest
– ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
– 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
– Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your mouthwatering Baked Orange Chicken:
1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. Prepare Chicken: In a medium bowl, coat the chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Ensure each piece is well-coated.
3. Sauté Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sauté until golden brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. It’s okay if the chicken isn’t fully cooked at this stage.
4. Make Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the orange juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, minced garlic, minced ginger, orange zest, and red pepper flakes.
5. Combine: Pour the sauce into the skillet with the sautéed chicken. Stir to coat the chicken evenly.
6. Transfer to Baking Sheet: Carefully transfer the chicken and the sauce to the prepared baking sheet, spreading the chicken out evenly.
7. Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens. Stir halfway through for even cooking.
8. Garnish: Once done, remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
9. Serve: Serve hot over your choice of rice or noodles, and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4-6 servings
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Fat: 12g
- Protein: 28g