If you’ve eaten Chinese food in the U.S., then you’ve probably tried the sweet and irresistible orange chicken recipe showcased at fast food Chinese restaurants. As delicious as the orange chicken is, it’s not a very healthy dish to order off the menu.
Not only do many Chinese chain restaurants make many of their dishes with MSG (Monosodium glutamate), a flavor enhancer that’s been linked to many health conditions, they’re often cooked with loads of fat and sugar. Instead of taking the risk and eating something that is potentially very unhealthy, why not try making your own healthy orange chicken recipe at home?
Ditch the hot oil and fried mess and make this baked orange chicken recipe. If you enjoy the tasty orange chicken recipe from Panda Express, then you will also love this sticky sweet creation we’re sharing here.
The actual chicken in this recipe is coated in panko crumbs for a crispy coating. When the chicken bakes, it’ll be nice and crunchy from the crumbs.
This orange chicken recipe is made with orange marmalade to give the dish that sweet and sticky orange quality, as well as fresh ginger, hoisin sauce, and low sodium soy sauce. While making orange chicken at home is not as convenient as simply purchasing it at a restaurant, the healthier approach and delicious flavor are definitely worth the effort.
Summary |
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Cook time: 25 minutes
Prep time: 30 minutes
Idle time:
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Level
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Servings:
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Ingredients
- 4 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 3 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- for the sauce:
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 1 1/2 cups orange marmalade
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with a piece of foil and then spray the foil with cooking spray.
- Place the chicken and flour in a large ziplock bag and seal shut. Shake the bag until the chicken is coated in the flour. Temporarily set aside.
- To a large shallow bowl, add the eggs and whisk them to break the yolks apart and combine them with the whites. To a second shallow bowl, add the panko crumbs.
- Dip each piece of floured chicken (shaking off excess flour first) into the egg then the panko crumbs. Transfer the dipped chicken to the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the chicken for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping them over at the halfway mark. Bake until they're golden brown and cooked through.
- Meanwhile, set a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the sesame oil and olive oil to the saucepan. Once hot, add the garlic and ginger and sauté for a few minutes until they're beginning to brown.
- Add the hoisin sauce, orange marmalade, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes to the pan, stirring this mixture together. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until the mixture has thickened.
- Place the cooked chicken in a large bowl. Pour the orange sauce all over and gently toss to combine. Serve hot.
Additional information
Recipe adapted from justataste.com
