Zesty Sweet & Tangy Baked Orange Chicken Recipe

Orange-glazed chicken brings a burst of citrusy magic right to your dinner table, with this baked orange chicken recipe that promises pure culinary delight.

Tender chicken pieces dance with bright, tangy flavors that spark excitement in every bite.

The combination of sweet and zesty notes creates a meal that feels both comforting and adventurous.

Juicy chicken gets coated in a vibrant orange sauce that caramelizes beautifully during baking, developing rich, complex flavor profiles.

Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and savory goodness that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

The aroma alone will draw hungry diners to the kitchen, anticipating a meal that’s both simple to prepare and utterly delectable.

Dive into this mouthwatering recipe and transform an ordinary weeknight dinner into an extraordinary dining experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 530 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need for Baked Orange Chicken

• Flour: Essential for creating a dry base that helps egg and breadcrumbs stick perfectly to chicken, choose all-purpose flour for smooth coating.
• Eggs: Acts as a binding agent to help breadcrumbs adhere, use fresh eggs at room temperature for best coverage.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: Delivers irresistible crunch and golden texture, look for Japanese-style breadcrumbs for maximum crispiness.
• Cooking Spray or Vegetable Oil: Ensures even browning and extra crispiness, select a neutral oil with high smoke point.

• Chicken Pieces: Protein star of the dish, select boneless chicken thighs or breasts for tender, juicy results.

• Ginger, Garlic, Crushed Red Pepper: Provides aromatic depth and gentle heat, choose fresh ginger and garlic for vibrant flavor.
• Rice Wine, Orange Juice, Sesame Oil, Soy Sauce, Sugar, Vinegar: Creates complex sweet-tangy sauce, select fresh orange juice for brightest citrus punch.
• Orange Zest: Adds bright citrus notes and beautiful garnish, use fresh orange with firm, vibrant skin.

Tools for Crispy Baked Orange Chicken at Home

• Baking Sheet: Essential for crispy chicken with even browning.
• Food Processor: Perfect for grinding panko breadcrumbs to fine texture.
• Four Bowls: Needed for creating breading station with flour, eggs, panko, and chicken.
• Saucepan: Crucial for preparing zesty orange sauce over medium heat.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure sauce ingredients.
• Whisk: Great for beating eggs and mixing sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Sharp Knife: Useful for zesting orange and mincing garlic and ginger.
• Cooking Spray or Brush: Helps create golden, crispy chicken coating.

Baked Orange Chicken Instructions in Steps

• Crispy Chicken Prep

Gather your ingredients and set up a cozy cooking space with all the essentials for a mouth-watering orange chicken adventure.

• Breading Magic

Create a delightful coating by dipping chicken pieces through a flour, egg, and crunchy breadcrumb journey, ensuring each piece gets a perfect golden armor.

• Oven Transformation

Slide the coated chicken onto a baking sheet and let the oven work its magic, turning the pieces into a crispy golden delight that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Vibrant Sauce Creation

Craft a zesty orange sauce in a saucepan, blending aromatic spices and tangy liquids that will coat your chicken with an explosion of flavor.

• Flavor Fusion

Gently toss the hot, crispy chicken in the rich orange sauce, allowing each piece to become gloriously glazed and irresistibly delicious.

• Final Flourish

Sprinkle some fresh orange zest on top, creating a bright and fragrant finish that elevates the entire dish from good to absolutely spectacular.

How to Amp Up That Sweet Citrus Flavor

• Replace chicken with tofu, shrimp, or pork for a delightful twist on the classic recipe.
• Add extra red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to boost the heat level and create a fiery version.
• Use almond flour instead of regular flour and gluten-free panko breadcrumbs for celiac-friendly preparation.
• Adjust sugar levels or substitute with honey, agave, or monk fruit sweetener to match personal taste preferences.

Best Way to Serve Baked Orange Chicken

• Zesty Family Dinner Companion: Pair this baked orange chicken with steamed jasmine rice to soak up the delicious citrusy sauce and create a complete meal.
• Orange Freshness Boost: Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions and sesame seeds over the chicken to add a bright, crunchy texture and enhance the visual appeal of the dish.
• Colorful Side Harmony: Serve alongside roasted broccoli or stir-fried mixed vegetables to introduce more nutrients and create a balanced, vibrant plate that complements the orange chicken's tangy flavor profile.
• Citrus Cooling Balance: Add a small side of cucumber salad with a light rice vinegar dressing to provide a cool, refreshing contrast to the warm, crispy chicken and cut through the rich sauce.

Storing Orange Chicken Without It Getting Soggy

• Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare double the chicken batch and store extra portions in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals. Refrigerated chicken stays fresh for 3-4 days, maintaining crispy texture when reheated in the oven.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Separate baked chicken and sauce into different containers before freezing. Freeze up to 2 months, allowing flexible meal preparation for busy schedules. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat at 350°F for best results.
• Lunch Box Champion: Pack cold chicken pieces with sauce in separate compartments to keep breading crisp. Perfect for work or school lunches, providing a delicious protein-packed midday meal that stays appetizing.
• Side Dish Harmony: Complement orange chicken with steamed jasmine rice, roasted broccoli, or quinoa. Meal prep these sides simultaneously to create balanced, nutritious dinners that save time and reduce daily cooking stress.

Crispy Baked Orange Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Orange-infused baked chicken delights with zesty Mediterranean flavors. Crisp chicken pieces glazed with citrus marinade promise a memorable meal that draws palates closer to Greece’s culinary essence.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (907 g) chicken thighs, boneless skinless
• 1 cup (240 ml) panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup (120 ml) flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 10 tbsps (150 ml) sugar
• 10 tbsps (150 ml) white vinegar
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) low sodium soy sauce
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) rice wine
• ¼ cup (60 ml) orange juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) cornstarch
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil
• 1 ½ tbsps (22.5 ml) fresh ginger, minced
• 2 tsps (10 ml) garlic, minced
• 1 tsp (5 ml) sesame oil
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) crushed red pepper
• 1 orange, zested

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Instructions

1. Breadcrumb Preparation: Pulverize panko breadcrumbs into fine, uniform crumbs using a food processor to ensure optimal coating texture.
2. Breading Station: Arrange three separate containers – one with flour, another with whisked eggs, and the third with ground panko breadcrumbs – creating a strategic breading setup.
3. Flour Coating: Thoroughly dredge each chicken piece in flour, guaranteeing complete coverage and eliminating excess moisture for a pristine base layer.
4. Egg Dip: Immerse flour-coated chicken into beaten eggs, allowing surplus liquid to drip off, establishing an even adhesive layer for breadcrumbs.
5. Panko Encrusting: Gently roll egg-drenched chicken through ground panko, pressing delicately to achieve a uniform, crisp exterior that will transform during baking.
6. Baking Preparation: Position breaded chicken pieces on a prepared baking sheet, maintaining slight separation to promote even browning and crispiness.
7. Oil Application: Lightly mist or brush chicken with vegetable oil to enhance golden coloration and textural crunch.
8. Oven Roasting: Bake in a preheated 400°F oven until chicken develops an amber, crispy exterior, approximately 20-25 minutes.
9. Sauce Creation: Simultaneously craft vibrant orange sauce by gently sautéing aromatic ingredients like ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan.
10. Sauce Development: Introduce liquid components – rice wine, fresh orange juice, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, and vinegar – allowing the mixture to simmer and reduce.
11. Sauce Refinement: Continue simmering until the sauce thickens and develops a glossy, intense flavor profile with concentrated citrus notes.
12. Glazing Process: Remove chicken from oven and generously coat with the freshly prepared orange sauce, ensuring complete and even coverage.
13. Final Garnish: Sprinkle bright orange zest over the glazed chicken, adding an aromatic and visually appealing finishing touch.

Notes

• Optimize Breadcrumb Texture: Pulse panko in a food processor to create ultra-fine, even crumbs for maximum crispiness.
• Master Breading Technique: Set up three separate stations with flour, beaten eggs, and ground panko to ensure perfect coating coverage.
• Oil Application Trick: Lightly mist or brush chicken with oil before baking to achieve a golden, crispy exterior without deep-frying.
• Sauce Reduction Secrets: Simmer sauce slowly to develop rich, concentrated flavors and achieve the ideal glossy, thick consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 530
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 330 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 67 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 31 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg