The Best Baked Orange Chicken Recipe for Zesty Family Dinners

Orange chicken tantalizes taste buds with its vibrant, sweet-and-tangy flavor profile that upgrades ordinary poultry into a culinary sensation.

Home cooks adore this crowd-pleasing dish for its complex balance of zesty citrus and savory undertones.

The recipe captures the essence of comfort food with a delightful twist, promising a meal that satisfies both adventure-seeking palates and traditional flavor lovers.

Crispy exterior and tender meat create a textural harmony that makes this dish irresistible to families and dinner guests alike.

Bright citrus notes dance alongside rich, caramelized edges, elevating a simple protein into a restaurant-worthy experience.

Minimal ingredients and straightforward techniques ensure anyone can master this delectable creation with confidence.

The magic happens when carefully selected seasonings meld together, creating a symphony of flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds.

What Makes Baked Orange Chicken So Good

• Crisp and Zesty Delight: Enjoy the perfect balance of crunchy panko-coated chicken with a vibrant, tangy orange sauce that bursts with bright citrus flavors.
• Hassle-Free Gourmet Cooking: Bake instead of deep-fry for a healthier version that's incredibly easy to prepare, requiring minimal cooking skills and simple pantry ingredients.
• Restaurant-Quality Meal at Home: Transform ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy dish that impresses family and friends with its professional-looking golden exterior and rich, complex sauce.
• Quick Weeknight Dinner Solution: Get a delicious, complete meal on the table in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy families and home cooks seeking convenient yet delectable dinner options.

What You’ll Need to Make Baked Orange Chicken

• Chicken Thighs: Tender meat perfect for crispy baking, boneless and skinless preferred for even cooking.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: Light and airy Japanese-style crumbs that create an extra crispy exterior.
• Flour: Base coating that helps egg and breadcrumbs stick to chicken.
• Large Eggs: Binding agent that helps breadcrumbs adhere to chicken.

• Vegetable Oil: Helps create golden, crispy exterior when spraying or brushing chicken.
• Cooking Spray: Alternative option for light oil coating.

• Orange Juice: Provides bright, citrusy base for the sauce.
• Rice Wine: Adds depth and mild sweetness to sauce.
• Soy Sauce: Brings umami and saltiness to the sauce.
• Sugar: Balances and helps thicken sauce.
• Sesame Oil: Adds nutty, rich flavor to sauce.
• Vinegar: Provides tangy contrast in sauce.

• Ginger: Fresh and zesty flavor that adds warmth to sauce.
• Garlic: Provides deep, aromatic base note in sauce.
• Crushed Red Pepper: Optional spicy element for heat lovers.
• Orange Zest: Bright garnish that enhances citrus flavor.

How to Bake Orange Chicken with a Sweet Glaze

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Breading Station

• Flour
• Beaten eggs
• Panko breadcrumbs (finely ground in food processor)
• Chicken pieces

Step 2: Coat and Prepare Chicken

• First coat with flour
• Dip in beaten eggs
• Roll in panko breadcrumbs

Place coated chicken on baking sheet and lightly spray or brush with vegetable oil

Step 3: Bake Chicken

Bake chicken for 20-25 minutes until golden and crispy

Step 4: Create Orange Sauce

• Ginger
• Garlic
• Crushed red pepper

• Rice wine
• Orange juice
• Sesame oil
• Soy sauce
• Sugar
• Vinegar

Bring to boil and cook until sauce thickens (5-7 minutes)

Step 5: Combine and Serve

Remove sauce from heat

Toss baked chicken pieces in sauce

Garnish with orange zest

Nutrition

Calories: 365 kcal

Servings: 4

Easy Tips for Crispy Chicken and Sticky Sauce

• Crumb Perfectly: Use a food processor to create ultra-fine, even panko breadcrumbs for maximum crispiness on the chicken.
• Prevent Soggy Coating: Pat chicken pieces completely dry before breading to ensure the flour and panko stick well and create a crisp exterior.
• Achieve Golden Crunch: Lightly spray or brush oil on breaded chicken to help the panko turn evenly golden and develop a beautiful crisp texture.
• Balance Sauce Consistency: Simmer the orange sauce until it reaches a glossy, thick coating that will cling perfectly to the chicken without becoming too runny.
• Zest for Freshness: Sprinkle fresh orange zest just before serving to add a bright, aromatic finish that enhances the citrus flavor profile of the dish.

How to Save and Reheat Orange Chicken Without Drying It Out

• Refrigerate: Store leftover baked orange chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the dish will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Frozen chicken maintains best quality for up to 2 months. Label with the date to track storage time.
• Reheat: Warm chicken in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to restore crispiness. Alternatively, use a microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, adding a splash of orange sauce to prevent dryness. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

What to Serve with Orange Chicken

• Pair Zesty Orange Sauce with Crisp White Wine: Complement the tangy orange chicken with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. These light, citrusy wines balance the dish's rich flavors and cut through the crispy breading.
• Serve Alongside Fragrant Jasmine Rice: Create a perfect base for the saucy chicken by preparing fluffy jasmine rice. Its delicate aroma and soft texture will absorb the vibrant orange sauce beautifully.
• Add Fresh Asian-Inspired Slaw: Enhance the meal with a crunchy cabbage and carrot slaw dressed in rice vinegar and sesame oil. This side provides a refreshing contrast to the warm, crispy chicken and adds a bright, light element to the plate.
• Finish with Citrus Sorbet: Cool down the palate after the savory dish with a zesty orange or lemon sorbet. This light dessert continues the citrus theme and offers a clean, refreshing end to the meal.

Ways to Add Spice or Switch the Sauce

• Citrus Fusion Chicken: Replace orange juice with a blend of lemon and lime for a tangy, zesty flavor profile that brightens the entire dish.
• Spicy Asian Chicken: Add sriracha or gochujang to the sauce for a fiery kick that transforms the original recipe into a more intense flavor experience.
• Herb-Crusted Orange Chicken: Mix fresh chopped herbs like parsley, thyme, and rosemary into the panko breadcrumbs to create a more aromatic and herbaceous coating.
• Coconut Crunch Chicken: Swap panko with toasted coconut flakes for a tropical-inspired crispy exterior that adds sweetness and texture to the chicken.

Baked Orange Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Orange-glazed chicken delivers a tantalizing blend of zesty citrus and savory flavors from Asian cuisine. Crispy golden chicken pieces drizzled with a glossy, caramelized orange sauce promise a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) chicken thighs, boneless skinless

Coating and Base:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) vegetable oil

Sauce and Seasoning:

• 10 tablespoons (150 milliliters) sugar
• 10 tablespoons (150 milliliters) white vinegar
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) low sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) rice wine
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) orange juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) cornstarch
• 1 ½ tablespoons (22.5 milliliters) fresh ginger, minced
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) sesame oil
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) crushed red pepper
• 1 orange, zested

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Instructions

1. Pulverize panko breadcrumbs into fine crumbs using a food processor for optimal coating texture.
2. Create a strategic breading setup with separate containers for flour, whisked eggs, and ground panko breadcrumbs.
3. Meticulously dredge each chicken morsel first in flour, ensuring complete coverage and eliminating moisture.
4. Submerge flour-coated chicken into beaten eggs, allowing excess to drip off for an even layer.
5. Roll the egg-drenched chicken through ground panko, pressing gently to achieve a uniform, crisp exterior.
6. Arrange breaded chicken pieces on a prepared baking sheet, maintaining slight separation between portions.
7. Lightly mist or brush chicken with vegetable oil to enhance golden browning and crispiness.
8. Roast in a preheated oven at 400°F until chicken turns amber and crunchy, approximately 20-25 minutes.
9. While chicken bakes, craft the vibrant orange sauce by gently sautéing aromatics like ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
10. Introduce liquid components including rice wine, fresh orange juice, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, and vinegar to the saucepan.
11. Simmer sauce until it reduces and thickens, developing a glossy, intense flavor profile.
12. Remove chicken from oven and generously coat with the freshly prepared orange sauce.
13. Finish the dish by sprinkling bright orange zest over the glazed chicken for an aromatic flourish.

Notes

• Prepare all ingredients and tools beforehand to ensure a smooth cooking process.
• Pulse panko breadcrumbs into fine crumbs for an extra crispy chicken coating that’ll make every bite delightful.
• Create a neat breading station with separate bowls to keep the coating process clean and organized.
• Lightly spray or brush chicken with oil to help achieve a golden, crispy exterior without deep-frying.
• Use fresh orange juice and zest for a vibrant, bright flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• Let the sauce simmer and reduce to develop a rich, glossy consistency that perfectly clings to the chicken.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 650
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 85 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg