This Orange Chicken Recipe is even better than takeout! Chicken is breaded, fried, and coated with the most amazing sweet and spicy orange sauce. It is so quick easy to make, youโll never go back to takeout!

Chinese takeout is full of memories, hanging out at Panda Express and eating way too much food. It tasted so good, we would not stop until every last bite was gone. Unfortunately, weโve found that our favorite childhood takeout just hasnโt kept up with our ever evolving tastes into adulthood. While there is so much nostalgia there, we can no longer eat it like we used to. This recipe takes an old favorite and turns it into a delicious meal that is both kid and adult approved. Made-from-scratch always tastes better, and we know youโll agree.
Takeout Orange Chicken is not an authentic Chinese recipe, but rather a typical American version of Chinese-American takeout restaurants. The Stay At Home Chef uses ingredients that are easily accessible for most people in the United States and Canada so that anyone can easily celebrate world cuisines even if their opportunities for travel or access to regional ingredients are limited.
What is Takeout Orange Chicken?
Orange chicken is small, bite-sized pieces of chicken that have been breaded, fried, and coated in a tangy, orange sauce. The sauce has an intense sweet and salty orange flavor, with just a little bit of heat.
General Tso vs. Orange Chicken:
General Tso Chicken and Orange Chicken are very similar. Both involve chicken that is breaded and fried and coated in a sweet sauce. However, General Tso Chicken is chili based, while Orange chicken is orange based.
Frying Oil:
There are lots of different oils that work great for frying. The most economical choices tend to be vegetable oil and canola oil. Either will work in this recipe.
Is Orange Chicken a traditional Chinese recipe?
Orange Chicken is not a traditional dish found in China. It is a popular dish served at Chinese restaurants in North America, but it is most definitely not an authentic or traditional dish. It is said to have been invented by the popular restaurant chain Panda Express which serves up pseudo-Chinese food for an American palate and is in no way Authentic Chinese cuisine.
Chicken Options:
You can use either boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs, depending on whether you want white meat or dark meat. Chicken thighs will have a bit more gristle than breasts, but will be more moist.
Storage and Reheating instructions:
Takeout orange chicken is best eaten fresh. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in an oven-safe baking dish, in an oven preheated to 350 degrees until warmed through.
If you like this recipe, you may be interested in these other great Chinese takeout recipes:
Rachel, I think you have saved my marriage! LOL Kind of joking, but I honestly had gotten so bored with the kitchen and exhausted with daily life that cooking was last on my want to do list. I found your site recently and have been cooking and loving your recipes ever since! I just received your cookbook today and I love it! I have to agree with someone else that posted though that your videos are what makes everything besides how wonderful everything tastes. Sometimes Iโll be making something and think that I canโt possibly be doing a step right and then I play your video and I was! You remove all self doubt. I appreciate you more than youโll ever know because I truly was bored to death of cooking after 28 yrs of marriage and you have changed all of that. Keep up the awesome work and I look forward to your next cookbook.
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My husband and I liked the Orange Chicken, but there were too many ingredients and my kitchen is a mess. It was exhausting to make this dish.
I used to dread lots of ingredients too and then I got organized and would put in an ingredient and then put it away and so on and so forth and no mess at the end. Worked beautifully and I had a delicious dish with no mess. I finally got all my spices labeled and alphabetized and all the ingredients in my pantry organized and it gave me more confidence and also made me love cooking like never before. Cleaning as you go makes mealtime so so much more pleasant!!
Delicious. A family favorite.
Looks so yummy. Trying this one today.
Looking forward to trying this out , will have to reduce sugar , but there is an orange juice out there with 50% less sugar. Iโll use that one. Thanks Ken
I like easy recipes that taste yummy. This is definitely one that I will try.
Loved this! I sooo appreciate all of your recipes, and your step by step video instructions gave me the confidence to make my first ever home-made bread not so long ago! My boys loved it! So thank you! Keep it up and take care of yourselves ๐
I made this tonight and my hubby loved it, thank you ! The videos are so reassuring that Iโm on the right path in attempting these lovely recipes !!!
Wishing you wonderful health Rachel ! Xxx
My son made this tonight and it was excellent! Love that the breading is light. The sauce is delicious. One of the many recipes were are enjoying from your book! I just bought another copy as a briday shower gift. This is a great book for all types of cooks.
Really good!!
And I know whats in it!!!
Not losded with all cornstarch coating!!!