Orange Chicken
This Orange Chicken recipe features crispy battered chicken tossed in a bright citrus glaze for a refreshing take on a classic dish.
Contents (2 sections)▾
Ingredients
- 500 g chicken thigh, boneless and skinless
- 100 g cornstarch
- 150 ml fresh orange juice
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 100 g sugar
- 50 ml soy sauce
- 30 ml rice vinegar
- 500 ml vegetable oil, for frying
Steps
Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and coat them in cornstarch. This helps create a crispy outer layer.
Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or a heavy pot to 175°C. Use a thermometer to ensure accuracy as the right temperature is crucial for crispy results.
Fry the chicken in batches for about 5-7 minutes or until it reaches a core temperature of 74°C. This ensures the chicken is fully cooked while maintaining a crisp texture.
In a saucepan, combine the fresh orange juice, sugar, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer until the mixture thickens into a lacquer, about 5-7 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the orange zest. This helps retain the fresh citrus aroma, enhancing the overall flavor.
Toss the fried chicken in the orange glaze while off heat, ensuring the chicken remains crisp before serving immediately.
Tools you'll want
Why this works
The technique of frying the chicken at 175°C allows for a crispy exterior while ensuring the meat reaches a safe internal temperature of 74°C. Coating the chicken with cornstarch helps to create a light, crispy texture rather than a heavy batter. The glaze, made from fresh orange juice and strained for clarity, is reduced to a lacquer that clings well to the chicken without making it soggy. Adding the orange zest at the end preserves its bright aroma, which can diminish during cooking. If the glaze seems too thin, continue simmering it to concentrate the flavors and achieve the desired consistency. Conversely, if it thickens too much, stir in a bit of water to adjust it back to a pourable state. The off-heat tossing of chicken in the glaze is crucial for preventing the crispy coating from becoming soggy, ensuring every bite retains that satisfying crunch.
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