Go to Homepage
Get Our Cookbook

    Easy Orange Chicken

    Updated January 28, 2025 / By Holly Erickson & Natalie Mortimer

    Our easy orange chicken recipe puts a healthier spin on the sweet-savory Chinese takeout favorite.

    a bowl of orange chicken served on top of white rice and topped with sesame seeds and green onions
    Photography by Gayle McLeod

    More Classic Chinese Takeout Recipes

    The Best Orange Chicken Recipe

    Succulent baked chicken pieces, made magically delicious with a slightly sticky, tangy-sweet homemade orange chicken sauce is an easy dinnertime win for all ages. Round out your DIY Chinese takeout feast by serving it with other favorites like Kung Pao Chicken and a speedy, healthy Vegetable Stir Fry dressed in our umami-rich Stir Fry Sauce. If you’ve got a hankering for more Chinese food try our takeout-inspired Mongolian Beef or Chicken Chow Mein.

    chicken breast, orange zest, orange juice, soy sauce, chili-garlic paste, sugar, garlic and rice wine vinegar in prep bowls

    Ingredients For Our Easy Orange Chicken Recipe

    • Boneless, skinless chicken breast

    • Kosher salt

    • Vegetable oil

    • Cornstarch

    • 2 oranges

    • Low-sodium soy sauce or tamari (opt for tamari if you want to make gluten free orange chicken)

    • Chili-garlic sauce (this orange chicken recipe is pretty mild, but if you have little kids or just don’t like spice it’s fine to just leave this out. Or, if you love the heat, add more to taste)

    • Brown sugar

    • Garlic

    • Seasoned rice wine vinegar

    orange zest, orange juice, soy sauce, chili-garlic paste, sugar, garlic, and rice wine vinegar. being combined in a sauce pan
    a pan of orange sauce made with orange zest, orange juice, soy sauce, chili-garlic paste, sugar, garlic & rice wine vinegar.
    bite sized chicken pieces tossed with vegetable oil and salt then baked in the oven on a baking sheet
    baked chicken pieces being tossed in homemade orange sauce on a baking sheet

    How To Make Orange Chicken

    1. Prep. Preheat the oven and line or grease a rimmed baking sheet.

    2. Bake the chicken. Toss the chicken pieces in a little oil and salt, pop them on the pan and bake them.

    3. Make a slurry. Whisk the cornstarch and water into a slurry — this is what will make your orange chicken sauce thick and ready to cling to the baked chicken pieces.

    4. Make the orange chicken sauce. In a small saucepan, gently stir together all of the orange sauce ingredients.

    5. Finish. Pour that beautiful orange chicken sauce over the baked chicken pieces, stirring it all together gently with kitchen tongs or a wooden spoon.

    6. Dig in & make it nice. Serve the chicken over rice and, if you really want the full take out vibe, garnish with sesame seeds and scallions.

    homemade orange chicken on a baking sheet sprinkled with sesame seeds and green onions

    How To Store Orange Chicken + Tips

    • Store orange chicken in an airtight container, for 3-4 days in the fridge. We don’t recommend freezing it.

    • If you live for leftovers, our healthy orange chicken recipe is going to make your day. The flavors get even more delicious as they sit, and because our recipe is baked instead of fried, sogginess is not an issue.

    • It may seem obvious, but don’t forget to zest the oranges before you juice them.

    a bowl of orange chicken served on top of white rice and topped with sesame seeds and green onions

    More Homemade Takeout Chicken Recipes To Make At Home

    Yay! You’ve Got A New Favorite Recipe For Orange Chicken

    For more recipe inspiration, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest or order our cookbook. We love when you share your meals. Tag us on Instagram using #themodernproper. Happy cooking!

    The Modern Proper's TOP 10!

    FREE EMAIL BONUS: Call it a greatest-hits countdown, each day loaded with delicious dinner inspiration!

    Easy Orange Chicken Recipe

    Updated January 28, 2025

    By Holly Erickson & Natalie Mortimer

    • Serves:  6
    • Prep Time:  10 min
    • Cook Time:  20 min
    • Calories:  263
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Related Recipes

    Description

    Our easy orange chicken recipe puts a healthier spin on the sweet-savory Chinese takeout favorite.

    Video

    Ingredients

    • 2 pounds boneless, skinless, chicken breast, cut into 1½-inch pieces
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    • 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
    • 2 teaspoons fresh orange zest
    • ⅓ cup fresh orange juice, from 2 oranges
    • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
    • ½ teaspoon chili-garlic sauce, plus more to taste
    • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced
    • 1 tablespoon seasoned rice wine vinegar

    For Serving

    • Steamed white rice
    • Sesame seeds, optional
    • Chopped green onions, optional

    Method

    1. Preheat the oven to 375°F with a rack in the center position. Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper or grease it with nonstick cooking spray.

    2. In a large bowl, toss the chicken with the salt and vegetable oil.

    3. Arrange the chicken on the prepared sheet pan, transfer to the oven and bake until cooked through, about 20 minutes.

    4. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and ¼ cup water to form a slurry. In a small saucepan, combine the orange zest, orange juice, soy sauce, chili-garlic paste, sugar, garlic, and rice wine vinegar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir the slurry into the sauce, then reduce the heat to low. Cook until the sauce has thickened, 3-5 minutes.

    5. Remove the sheet pan from the oven. Pour the orange sauce over the chicken and toss until fully coated.

    6. Serve the chicken over rice and sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions if using.

    Nutrition Info

    • Per Serving
    • Amount
    • Calories 263
    • Protein 35 g
    • Carbohydrates 9 g
    • Total Fat 9 g
    • Dietary Fiber 0 g
    • Cholesterol 87 mg
    • Sodium 489 mg
    • Total Sugars 6 g

    Easy Orange Chicken

    Questions & Reviews

    Join the discussion below.

    or
    • Amanda

      Have you ever tried air frying the chicken bites, and if so, how long and what temp? Thank you! Making this tonight with my 9 year old who is really into cooking right now! :)

      Hi Amanda, we have never tried this in the air fryer so unfortunately can't help you with that info. If you try we hope it turns out great!

    • Wendy

      The garlic/chili paste? Can ya add extra garlic & some salsa? Also it looks like the finished dish needs more sauce. I will make this, we have many pounds of fresh oranges on our tree. Perhaps make extra sauce & freeze for another time ? Thanks !

      No, we would not add salsa to this recipe. We recommend buying the garlic chili paste.

    • Rebecca

      I can find chili garlic sauce at my local store, but not chili garlic paste. Is the sauce o.k. to use in this recipe?

      We'd recommend the paste, it has a stronger flavor and is thicker.

    • Karan

      Can I make the orange sauce without cornstarch?

      It won't get as thick. You could substitute arrow root starch in its place.

    • Michele

      Can I use something else in place of the chili paste? If I make it with that, my kids definitely wont eat this

      You can just leave it out. Hope you enjoy!

    • Michaela

      We enjoyed this recipe
      We especially like that it's baked and uses chicken breast. It makes it a much healthier meal.

      I would say- the sauce is a bit scant so I'd suggest doubling the sauce ingredients.

      Thanks Michaela, we are so glad you loved it!

    • Dani

      Too much zest and it was just off? Wasnt the worst thing in the world but it definitely wasnt great. Normally love all the recipes here but this one just didnt work for me.

      Sorry this one wasn't your fave!

    • Meg

      This is better than restaurant orange chicken. So tasty.

      Thanks Meg, we are so glad you loved them!

    • Melinda

      Made this tonight and was very happy with it. I make more sauce next time.

      Thanks Melinda, so glad you loved it!

    • CassieMolassie

      This came together easily and quickly. The orange flavor was very fresh. A crowd pleaser for my crew!

      Thanks Cassie, glad you loved it!