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  7. Orange Chicken
Orange Chicken

Orange Chicken

Crispy battered chicken in a tangy-sweet orange glaze. Homemade version of the Panda Express favorite.

chicken
dinner
easy
Jump to Instructions ↓
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Prep15 min
Cook15 min
Protein32g
Calories480
Carbs52g
Fat18g

Per serving · Adjust servings below to scale ingredients

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🥗Ingredients

4 servings

Chicken

  • 600g chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 60g cornstarch
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Salt

Orange Sauce

  • 120ml orange juice
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes

Serving

  • 400g steamed rice
  • Sesame seeds
  • Sliced green onions

👨‍🍳Instructions

  1. 1

    Toss chicken in cornstarch, then dip in beaten egg, then back in cornstarch.

  2. 2

    Fry in 180°C oil for 5-6 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain.

  3. 3

    In a clean pan, sauté garlic, ginger 30 seconds. Add orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar.

  4. 4

    Simmer 2 minutes. Add cornstarch slurry to thicken.

  5. 5

    Toss crispy chicken in the sauce. Serve over rice with sesame seeds and green onions.

📊Nutrition per serving

Values are per 1 serving and stay fixed regardless of the servings adjuster above — use the adjuster to scale ingredients only.

Calories480
Protein32g
Carbs52g
Fat18g
Fiber1g

💪Protein & Nutrition Breakdown

Each serving of Orange Chicken delivers 32g of protein at 480 calories — that's 15 calories per gram of protein, making it one of the more efficient protein sources on this site. Protein accounts for roughly 27% of total calories in this dish. The 52g of carbohydrates per serving provide energy for training, making this a well-rounded meal both pre- and post-workout. The 18g of fat primarily comes from the cooking method and protein source itself, contributing to satiety and supporting fat-soluble vitamin absorption.

🥡Meal Prep & Storage

Orange Chicken is a quick recipe that scales well for meal prep. This recipe makes 4 servings, each delivering 32g of protein and 480 calories — ideal for tracking macros across the week. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave in 90-second intervals, stirring between each, until heated through. Adding a small splash of water or broth prevents the protein from drying out during reheating. Orange Chicken also freezes well — portion into individual freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Batch cooking a double or triple portion on the weekend means you have 32g-protein meals ready throughout the week with zero daily effort.

💡 Tips & Notes

  • •Double coat in cornstarch for extra crunch.
  • •Fresh orange juice and zest make all the difference.

Variations

  • →Make it with tofu.
  • →Air fry instead of deep fry.
  • →Use lemon for lemon chicken.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Orange Chicken ahead of time?

Cook the chicken ahead and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Slice or shred just before serving — whole cooked breasts stay juicier than pre-sliced portions.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes! Thighs are juicier and more forgiving with cooking time. They have slightly more fat but won't dry out. Adjust cook time — thighs take 1-2 minutes longer.

Can I use a slow cooker instead?

Yes! Brown the meat and aromatics first (for flavor), then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours. Adjust liquid down by about 25% since less evaporates.

high protein

Recipe by

BoBo Chef

Fitness enthusiast and home cook. Every recipe is tested in a real kitchen and macro-verified before publishing.

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