Orange chicken in a guranteed crowd pleaser in our house. Spicy or sweet it can be made to make everyone smile. If we are in a healthy and less endulgent mood the chicken can be simply grilled up with out topping or frying. The sauce is so delicious it is all anyone really cares about anyway.
Ingredients
FOR THE CHICKEN:
- 2 lb boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 2 egg
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
- oil for frying
- 3/4 cup GF flour
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (GF)
FOR THE SAUCE:
- 3/4 cup Orange Juice
- 3 Tablespoon Soy Sauce (GF)
- 3 Tablespoon Packed Brown Sugar (OR White Sugar OR Honey)
- 3 Tablespoon Rice Vinegar (or Regular Distilled Vinegar)
- 3/4 teaspoon Sesame Oil
- Dash Of Salt
- Dash Of Crushed Red Pepper, More To Taste
- 1 clove Garlic, Pressed Or Minced
- 2 teaspoons Minced Ginger
- 3 teaspoon Cornstarch (additional)
- Zest Of 1 Orange (optional)
- 1/4 cup Water
- 2 whole Red Peppers, Sliced
- 1 onion, Sliced
- Rice (to serve over)
For the sauce: Cook sliced red peppers and onions in a skillet, then set to side. Put the orange juice, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, salt, garlic and ginger (and orange zest, if using) in a large pot and whisk together. Heat until bubbling and starting to thicken, about 3-4 minutes.
Whisk together the cornstarch and 1/4 cup water in a small bowl and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of the cornstarch slurry to the sauce. Mix in and thicken for 1 minute. (If sauce gets overly thick, just add in another 1/4 cup water and whisk in.)
For the chicken:
For the chicken:
To coat the chicken add the eggs and milk and whisk together in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, add 1/2 cup corn starch, bread crumbs, salt, pepper and flour and mix well. In a large frying pan or deep fryer, heat oil to 375 degrees.
Dip chicken pieces in the egg mixture, then dredge in the flour mixture. For a thicker coating reapeat a second time. (That is the way Dylan likes it.) Fry the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden and crisp. Transfer to a cooling rack and repeat with remaining chicken.
Bring the orange sauce and bring to boil again. Turn off the heat, and add cooked chicken, vegetables and stir until well mixed. Serve over rice.
TO FINISH:
- for those wanting sweet (Aliya and Trent) add 2 T honey
- for those wanting spicy (Dylan and Nate) add 1/2 tsp hot red chili pepper crushed
