Crispy Orange Chicken Bites (Printable version)

Golden chicken pieces in glossy citrus sauce

# Ingredients list:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 2 large eggs
03 - ½ cup cornstarch
04 - ½ cup all-purpose flour
05 - ½ teaspoon salt
06 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
07 - Vegetable oil, for frying

→ Orange Sauce

08 - ¾ cup fresh orange juice (about 2 oranges)
09 - 2 tablespoons orange zest
10 - ¼ cup soy sauce
11 - ¼ cup granulated sugar
12 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
13 - 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
14 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
15 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
16 - ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
17 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)

→ Garnishes

18 - 2 spring onions, sliced
19 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

# Steps:

01 - Whisk the eggs in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, combine cornstarch, flour, salt, and black pepper. Dip each chicken piece into the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly with the flour blend.
02 - Heat 1½ inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat to 350°F. Fry chicken in batches for 4 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.
03 - Combine orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves completely.
04 - Stir the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce. Continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and develops a glossy sheen.
05 - Add the fried chicken to the thickened sauce, tossing gently to coat each piece evenly. Cook for 2 minutes to heat through. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with sliced spring onions and toasted sesame seeds.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce achieves that perfect restaurant style glossy finish without any fancy ingredients
  • Chicken stays crispy even after tossing in the sauce thanks to a simple coating trick
  • Ready in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all day
02 -
  • Crowding the pan drops the oil temperature and makes the chicken soggy not crispy
  • The sauce continues thickening off the heat so remove it slightly earlier than you think
  • Room temperature chicken fries more evenly than cold straight from the fridge
03 -
  • Pat your chicken completely dry before coating or the batter wont stick properly
  • Let your fried chicken rest for 2 minutes before tossing in sauce to stay crunchier longer
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