Fry

Take Out Orange Chicken -  IN

by:
October 30, 2011
4.5
2 Ratings
Take Out Orange Chicken - IN
Photo by Nicole Franzen
  • Serves 4 to 6
Author Notes

Two of my favorite Chinese- American dishes for carry out (take out) are Almond Boneless Chicken and Orange Chicken. A few years ago I started making both at home when the carry out versions were becoming too bready and too soggy. The sauce for this Orange Chicken can be made early in the day and the chicken can be battered and fried closer to serving time with minimal prep when you're ready to eat. —inpatskitchen

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • For the sauce
  • Finely grated zest of one large orange
  • Juice of 2 large oranges
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 teaspoons finely grated ginger
  • 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red papper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cloves crushed garlic
  • 3 tablespoons corn starch mixed with 4 to 5 tablespoons water to make a slurry
  • For the chicken and putting it all together
  • 3 to 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
  • 1 cup white rice flour
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 8 to 10 ounces club soda
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (fine grind)
  • 1 small can sliced water chestnuts
  • 4 cups lightly steamed broccoli ( or in a pinch use thawed frozen)
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
  • Vegetable or peanut oil for pan frying
  • Hot cooked white rice
  • Sliced green onion for garnish (optional)
  • Shredded iceberg lettuce (optional)
Directions
  1. For the sauce
  2. Combine all ingredients except the slurry in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Add the slurry and continue to boil until the mixture thickens a bit. Set aside.
  1. For the chicken and putting it all together
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk the rice flour, AP flour salt and pepper together.
  3. In a small bowl beat the egg with about four ounces of the club soda and then whisk that into the flour mixture adding more club soda as you need to make a batter slightly thicker than thin.
  4. Heat the oil in a large frying pan, dip the chicken pieces into the batter, shaking off any excess and then fry them on both sides until lightly browned.
  5. Transfer the browned chicken pieces to a rimmed baking sheet and bake in a 425F oven for about ten minutes.
  6. Pour the reserved sauce into a wok or large frying pan, bring up to the boil and then gently stir in the sesame oil, broccoli, water chestnuts and browned chicken pieces.
  7. Serve the chicken mixture over the rice and lettuce and garnish with the green onion.
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inpatskitchen

Recipe by: inpatskitchen

I think I get my love for food and cooking from my mom, who was an amazing cook. She would start baking and freezing a month before Christmas in order to host our huge open house on Christmas afternoon. I watched and I learned...to this day I try not to procrastinate when it comes to entertaining. My cooking style is pretty much all over the place, although I'm definitely partial to Greek and Italian cuisine. Oh yes, throw a little Cajun in there too!

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13 Reviews

Cbk3
Cbk3 June 27, 2013
Awesome recipe! I made this with cubed boneless chicken thighs. Had to leave it in the oven a little longer to make sure the chicken was cooked through. Hubby and kids loved it. I suppose I'll be making this at home. No more takeout!
 
inpatskitchen
inpatskitchen June 27, 2013
So glad you were happy! We don't do take out any more...I make Almond Boneless Chicken, Lemon Chicken and Shrimp Chow Mein at home now...recipes are all on this site if you're interested. Thanks so much for making this!
 
linenlady
linenlady April 3, 2012
I made a variation of this recipe last night. I made the sauce as written. I just seasoned the chicken with salt and pepper and sauteed it, then tossed the chicken and broccoli in the sauce. This sauce is SERIOUSLY DELICIOUS.
 
inpatskitchen
inpatskitchen April 3, 2012
So glad you enjoyed this! And I know...the sauce is seriously delicious!
 
Juliegirlj
Juliegirlj November 30, 2011
This sounds delicious but recipe instructions are kind of incomplete
 
inpatskitchen
inpatskitchen November 30, 2011
Thanks Juliegirlj...I've noticed since the website update that steps show up missing from recipes.. I think I fixed it, but please let me know if I'm still missing something. Thanks
 
luvcookbooks
luvcookbooks November 1, 2011
Take out or order in here in the Bronx. Orange chicken is my new weakness, and I had no idea how to make my own. I am so saving this recipe along with $$ and calories.
 
inpatskitchen
inpatskitchen November 1, 2011
Thanks! And by making a thin batter you can probably save even more calories! Please send your feedback if you try this.
 
Bevi
Bevi October 31, 2011
That photo makes it look pretty yummy.
 
inpatskitchen
inpatskitchen October 31, 2011
Thanks Bevi! The one I wanted to put on wouldn't load...kept saying it was too large (even though this one is the same size)...maybe they'll get the glitches fixed someday...
 
boulangere
boulangere October 30, 2011
Oh, love this, Pat! Great title!
 
inpatskitchen
inpatskitchen October 30, 2011
Thanks boulangere! Now, do they call it "take out" or "carry out" in Montana? We're "carry out" people here in MI.
 
boulangere
boulangere October 31, 2011
LOL! We take it out here, alternatively we pick it up.