Once you make this Orange Chicken Sauce Recipe, you’ll never order out again!
Just in time for the weekend, I’m sharing another “do it yourself” recipe for a classic takeout dish! If you’re spending this Friday night in, don’t worry about ordering out. Instead, you can spend some time cooking iconic Chinese-American cuisine at home (maybe with a partner or a few friends). This orange chicken sauce recipe is going to make you forget all about that drawer full of paper menus and show you just how easy it is to create your favorite meals in your own kitchen.
If you’re anything like me and you spend way too much money ordering takeout, learning how to make dupes of your favorite restaurant items is a lifesaver and won’t put a dent in your wallet. So this year, I’ve made it a point to try to recreate my favorite cuisine right from my own home. I’ve already mastered chicken pad Thai, hoisin chicken, General Tso’s tofu, and several stir-fry dishes. Now, I’m taking on one of my first and forever favorites: orange chicken sauce! I figured if I can nail the sauce, I can nail the dish, right?
Orange chicken sauce doesn’t just get its name from the color of the sauce; it’s actually made with orange juice! I didn’t know that until I took it upon myself to learn how to make this recipe. The orange juice gives it a citrusy sweetness, while the other ingredients, like ginger, soy sauce, and garlic, support the balancing act of tangy and sweet in this dish. Once it’s poured over lightly battered chicken, the result is mouthwateringly good flavor.
Is This Orange Chicken Sauce Recipe Healthy?
This recipe for orange chicken sauce uses real ingredients like garlic, ginger, and orange juice to create an authentic and distinct flavor without a ton of additives. However, the sauce is still high in sodium. If you’re trying to cut down on sodium in your diet, opt for healthier substitutes like coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
How To Achieve The Best Sauce Texture
One of the most important elements of a good sauce is the texture, and orange chicken sauce is no different. To ensure a nice, thick, uniform sauce, you’ll want to stir your sauce constantly while warming it on low heat. Also, pour your cornstarch mixture in slowly to thicken to the desired consistency and avoid clumping.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
The sauce can be made in advance and will stay good in the fridge (if stored in a jar or airtight container) for up to 5 days. Freezing is not recommended, as it will affect the texture of the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
This sauce, of course, begs to be served with battered and fried chicken. I recommend coating the chicken in cornstarch and salt and cooking over medium heat until golden. Orange sauce also makes a perfect dipper for Crispy Fried Chicken. Because this recipe was inspired by one of my favorite takeout orders, it seems only right to enjoy it with other takeout favorites, too. Try making a side of Chicken Egg Rolls (and using this orange chicken sauce as a dipping sauce!) or maybe some Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad to pair with your chicken.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ginger minced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup orange juice
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced ginger and garlic; sauté until fragrant and golden, about 1 minute.
- Add orange juice, sugar, rice vinegar, and soy sauce to the saucepan. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add red pepper flakes if using.
- In a small separate bowl, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Pour the mixture into the saucepan, stirring constantly to avoid clumping. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 5-10 minutes.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
How much safer do you use in this recipe. It isn’t listed, but it is in the instructions
Hi Elizabeth, I see all ingredients are listed actually but please let me know if you think anything is missing. Thanks!
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
So glad to hear! Thanks for reading.