Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken
Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken is crispy, tangy, and sweet. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to a perfect sauce. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Roasted Potato Salad and Fresh Italian Pasta Salad.
Why This Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy, golden chicken pieces
- Tangy, sweet, and savory sauce
- Easy and ready in 30 minutes
What You'll Need for Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- chicken breasts
- orange juice
- soy sauce
- garlic
- ginger
- sugar
- rice vinegar
- chili garlic sauce
- cornstarch
- Optional: sesame seeds
- Optional: green onions
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: Cut into bite-sized pieces.
- ginger: Use fresh ginger for best flavor.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant-read thermometer — Ensures chicken is cooked to a safe temperature. → See on Amazon
- Non-stick skillet — Prevents chicken from sticking and ensures even cooking. → See on Amazon
How to Make Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken
- Step 1: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
- Step 2: Cook chicken in a non-stick skillet until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, combine orange juice, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce, and cornstarch. Cook until thickened.
- Step 4: Add chicken back to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken
- : Use fresh ginger for the best flavor.
- Common mistake and fix: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water.
- : For a spicier version, add more chili garlic sauce.
- : To prevent soggy chicken, make sure to cook it in batches.
Storing & Reheating Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the sauce up to 1 day ahead and store in the fridge.
Freezing Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken
Freeze cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker version, use store-bought orange juice and teriyaki sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts with thighs for more flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce up to 1 day ahead and store in the fridge.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water.
Want to level up this recipe?
Food processor — Saves time and effort in mincing garlic and ginger. → Check price on Amazon
Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- chicken breasts
- orange juice
- soy sauce
- garlic
- ginger
Seasonings
- sugar
- rice vinegar
- chili garlic sauce
- cornstarch
Optional Toppings
- sesame seeds
- green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
- Step 2: Cook chicken in a non-stick skillet until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, combine orange juice, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce, and cornstarch. Cook until thickened.
- Step 4: Add chicken back to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker version, use store-bought orange juice and teriyaki sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts with thighs for more flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce up to 1 day ahead and store in the fridge.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 2 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: Prepare the sauce up to 1 day ahead and store in the fridge.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken FAQs
Prepare the sauce up to 1 day ahead and store in the fridge. Cook the chicken just before serving.
Make sure to cook the chicken in batches and don't overcrowd the pan.
Yes, cook the chicken in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, then proceed with the recipe.
Use pineapple juice as a substitute for orange juice.
Yes, this recipe is gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
