Baked Orange Chicken (Print Version)

Juicy chicken baked in a homemade sweet, tangy orange glaze with ginger and sesame.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.75 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
02 - Salt and pepper, to taste
03 - 2 tbsp cornstarch

→ Orange Sauce

04 - 2/3 cup fresh orange juice
05 - 2 tbsp orange zest
06 - 3 tbsp soy sauce
07 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
08 - 3 tbsp honey or brown sugar
09 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
10 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
11 - 1 tsp sesame oil
12 - 1 tsp chili flakes (optional, for heat)

→ Garnishes

13 - 2 green onions, sliced
14 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds
15 - Orange slices (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then toss with cornstarch to coat evenly.
03 - Arrange coated chicken in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
04 - While the chicken bakes, combine orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey (or brown sugar), garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and chili flakes in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened.
05 - Transfer baked chicken to a large bowl. Pour the orange sauce over and toss to coat thoroughly.
06 - Return the sauced chicken to the oven for an additional 5–7 minutes until caramelized.
07 - Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and orange slices if desired. Serve immediately with steamed rice or vegetables.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get all the sticky sweet tang of takeout without the mess of frying or the guilt of ordering delivery again.
  • The double bake method creates a caramelized crust that clings to every piece like candy.
02 -
  • Do not skip the cornstarch coating because plain chicken will not hold the sauce and you will end up with a puddle at the bottom of the pan.
  • The second bake is where the magic happens so resist the urge to skip it even if the chicken already looks done.
03 -
  • Use the freshest oranges you can find because one mealy orange will drag the entire sauce down with it.
  • Let the chicken rest for two minutes after the second bake so the glaze sets and does not slide off when you serve.

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