Orange Chicken with Almonds
Indulge in the tangy-sweet perfection of Orange Chicken with Almonds, a dish that masterfully balances vibrant citrus flavors with a satisfying crunch. This recipe features tender bites of crispy fried chicken thighs, perfectly coated in a glossy orange sauce made with fresh orange juice, honey, and a hint of ginger. Slivered almonds, toasted to golden perfection, add a delightful crunch, while green onions and optional sesame seeds provide a burst of freshness and texture. Ready in under an hour, this Chinese-inspired meal is perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. Serve it over fluffy steamed rice or alongside stir-fried vegetables for a complete restaurant-quality feast at home.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 0.5 cup cornstarch
- 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1.5 cups vegetable oil
- 0.5 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 0.25 cup water
- 0.25 cup slivered almonds
- 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and pat them dry with paper towels.
In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs. In a second shallow bowl, mix together the cornstarch and flour.
Dredge the chicken pieces in the egg, then coat them in the cornstarch-flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
In a small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and water. Set the sauce mixture aside.
In a clean skillet, toast the slivered almonds over medium heat until golden and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, pour in the orange sauce mixture and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened.
Add the fried chicken pieces to the skillet, tossing to coat them evenly in the sauce.
Sprinkle the toasted almonds and green onions over the top of the chicken. If desired, garnish with sesame seeds for added texture.
Serve the orange chicken warm over steamed rice or with stir-fried vegetables.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3982 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 370.9 g | 476% | |
| Saturated Fat | 57.5 g | 288% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 201.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 757 mg | 252% | |
| Sodium | 2272 mg | 99% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 100.5 g | 37% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.3 g | 30% | |
| Total Sugars | 30.6 g | ||
| Protein | 98.9 g | 198% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.1 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 292 mg | 22% | |
| Iron | 10.0 mg | 56% | |
| Potassium | 1849 mg | 39% | |
*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.
