Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken
Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken is crispy, tangy, and sweet, with a homemade sauce that’s way better than takeout. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting that perfect crispy texture every time. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Italian Pot Roast Recipe and Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe.
Why This Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy, golden chicken pieces
- Tangy, sweet, and savory sauce
- Healthier than takeout version
- Easy to make at home
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
- honey
- garlic
- ginger
- orange zest
- red pepper flakes
- sesame seeds
- green onions
- Optional: sesame seeds
- Optional: green onions
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: Cut into bite-sized pieces.
- ginger: Freshly grated is best.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and energy → See on Amazon
- Food Processor — Makes sauce prep quick and easy → See on Amazon
How to Make Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken
- Prepare the chicken: Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, and cornstarch.
- Cook the chicken: Cook chicken in batches until golden and crispy. Set aside.
- Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together orange juice, soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and cornstarch. Pour into the pan and simmer until thickened.
- Combine and serve: Add chicken back to the pan, toss to coat in sauce. Serve over rice and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken
- Pro tip: For extra crispy chicken, double-coat in cornstarch.
- Common mistake and fix: If sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water.
- Pro tip: For a spicier version, add more red pepper flakes.
- Pro tip: To make ahead, cook chicken and sauce separately, then combine before serving.
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: Chicken and sauce can be made ahead and combined before serving.
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 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: To make this recipe gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Best substitution: Instead of chicken, try using tofu or shrimp.
- Make-ahead: Cook chicken and sauce separately, then combine before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water.
Want to level up this recipe?
Wok — Even heat distribution for perfect stir-frying → Check price on Amazon
Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- chicken breasts
- orange juice
- soy sauce
- honey
- garlic
- ginger
Seasonings
- orange zest
- red pepper flakes
- sesame seeds
- green onions
Optional Toppings
- sesame seeds
- green onions
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, and cornstarch.
- Cook the chicken: Cook chicken in batches until golden and crispy. Set aside.
- Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together orange juice, soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and cornstarch. Pour into the pan and simmer until thickened.
- Combine and serve: Add chicken back to the pan, toss to coat in sauce. Serve over rice and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes
- Chef tip: To make this recipe gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Best substitution: Instead of chicken, try using tofu or shrimp.
- Make-ahead: Cook chicken and sauce separately, then combine before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If 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 2-3 minutes.
- Make ahead: Chicken and sauce can be made ahead and combined before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 1800mg
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken FAQs
Yes, cook chicken and sauce separately, then combine before serving.
If sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water.
Yes, try using tofu or shrimp instead of chicken.
Add more red pepper flakes to taste.
Yes, freeze cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 2 months.
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!
