Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken in 30 Minutes

Make the best Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken in just 30 minutes. After making this for my family countless times, I discovered the trick to getting that perfect crispy, tangy coating 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 Chicken Grape Salad Recipe for Quick Healthy Lunch and Authentic Nigerian Okra Soup with Shrimp and Turkey.

What You'll Need for Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken in 30 Minutes

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 tsp white pepper (optional)
• Optional: Sesame seeds, for garnish

How to Make Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken in 30 Minutes

1. Step 1: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, and white pepper (if using).
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, cornstarch, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using).
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tbsp of vegetable oil. Pour in the orange sauce mixture and bring to a simmer. Cook until the sauce has thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
5. Step 5: Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until the chicken is heated through.
6. Step 6: Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Storing & Reheating Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken in 30 Minutes

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the sauce and cut the chicken up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge.

Freezing Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken in 30 Minutes

Freeze cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat in the oven or microwave.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and reheat for 10-15 minutes, until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, until heated through. Stir occasionally.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For extra crispy chicken, toss the cooked chicken pieces in a bit of cornstarch before adding them back to the skillet.
• Best substitution: Substitute the chicken with firm tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version.
• Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce and cut the chicken up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge.
• Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
• Troubleshooting: If the sauce isn't thickening, cook it for a few more minutes or add a bit more cornstarch mixed with water.

Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken in 30 Minutes

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

15 mins

⏳

Total

30 mins

🍽

Serves

4 servings

🥗

Diet

Gluten-free

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

Seasonings

• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 tsp white pepper (optional)

Optional Toppings

• Sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, and white pepper (if using).
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, cornstarch, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using).
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tbsp of vegetable oil. Pour in the orange sauce mixture and bring to a simmer. Cook until the sauce has thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
5. Step 5: Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until the chicken is heated through.
6. Step 6: Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

• Chef tip: For extra crispy chicken, toss the cooked chicken pieces in a bit of cornstarch before adding them back to the skillet.
• Best substitution: Substitute the chicken with firm tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version.
• Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce and cut the chicken up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge.
• Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
• Troubleshooting: If the sauce isn't thickening, cook it for a few more minutes or add a bit more cornstarch mixed with water.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat in the oven or microwave.
• Oven reheat: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and reheat for 10-15 minutes, until heated through.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, until heated through. Stir occasionally.
• Make ahead: Prepare the sauce and cut the chicken up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 32g
• Fat: 12g
• Carbs: 24g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 1200mg
• Cholesterol: 90mg
• Sat. Fat: 2g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken in 30 Minutes FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken in 30 Minutes 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!