Crispy and flavorful, Onion Fried Mandarin Orange Chicken is a delightful twist on a classic sweet and savory chicken dish. Juicy, golden-brown chicken thighs are coated in a perfectly crisp flour and cornstarch crust and paired with caramelized onions and vibrant mandarin orange segments. A tangy-sweet marinade of soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and ginger infuses every bite with bold, mouthwatering flavors. This recipe's quick prep and cook time make it an excellent choice for weeknight dinners, while the stunning presentation—complete with green onion and sesame seed garnishes—makes it worthy of special occasions. Serve this crowd-pleasing dish with steamed rice to soak up the luscious mandarin orange sauce. Perfectly balancing crunch and zest, it’s sure to become a family favorite in no time!
In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and grated ginger to make the marinade sauce. Set it aside.
Season the chicken thighs with half of the salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Set aside.
In a shallow dish, combine flour, cornstarch, the remaining salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
Crack the eggs into a separate bowl and whisk them until smooth.
Dredge each chicken thigh in the flour mixture, dip it into the beaten eggs, and then coat it once more in the flour mixture for an extra crispy texture. Set the coated chicken aside.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
In the same skillet, add the sliced onions and sauté them for 2-3 minutes until slightly caramelized.
Pour the prepared marinade sauce into the skillet with the onions, stirring to combine, and allow it to simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Add the mandarin orange segments to the skillet and gently toss them in the sauce.
Return the fried chicken thighs to the skillet and coat them evenly with the mandarin orange sauce.
Simmer for an additional 2 minutes to ensure the chicken absorbs the flavors.
Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, if desired, before serving.
Serve hot with steamed rice or your preferred side dish.
Calories |
2745 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 164.8 g | 211% | |
| Saturated Fat | 30.9 g | 154% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 67.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 808 mg | 269% | |
| Sodium | 4580 mg | 199% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 185.7 g | 68% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 11.5 g | 41% | |
| Total Sugars | 58.5 g | ||
| Protein | 139.2 g | 278% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.1 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 342 mg | 26% | |
| Iron | 14.6 mg | 81% | |
| Potassium | 2029 mg | 43% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.