Orange and Ginger Chicken
A sweet and savory classic that transforms simple chicken into a flavor journey.
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Cook time: 150 minutes
Craving something exotic without hopping on a plane? This caramelized orange chicken with fresh ginger will take your taste buds on a trip. A glossy sauce, perfectly golden chicken pieces, and that little kick that wakes everything up. Yes, it takes some patience with the marinade, but trust me, your future self will thank you.
Ingredients
Recipe steps
Prepare the sauce
In a saucepan, pour 375 ml of water, the juice of one fresh orange (about 60 ml), lemon juice, rice vinegar, and soy sauce. Place over medium-high heat. Add one tablespoon of orange zest, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, sliced green onion, and chili flakes. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and let cool for 10 to 15 minutes.
Marinate the chicken
Cut the chicken breasts into pieces about 2 cm in size. Place them in a resealable freezer bag. Pour one cup of the cooled sauce into the bag, seal tightly, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Set aside the remaining sauce for later.
Bread the chicken
In another resealable bag, mix the flour, salt, and pepper. Drain the marinated chicken pieces, add them to the flour bag, and shake vigorously to coat them well.
Brown the chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and brown them on all sides. Drain on a plate lined with paper towels and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.
Finish with the sauce
Wipe the skillet clean and pour in the reserved sauce. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Dissolve a little cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir into the sauce. Reduce the heat, add the chicken pieces, and let simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce coats the chicken nicely.
Tips and variations
- No fresh ginger? Half a teaspoon of ground ginger will do the trick, though fresh brings more zing.
- For a spicier version, double the chili flakes or add a dash of sriracha to the final sauce.
- Serve over a bed of basmati rice or stir-fried noodles for a complete meal.
Anti-waste tips
Don’t throw away your orange after juicing it!
You can for example:
- Use the remaining zest to flavor cookies, cake, or a vinaigrette
- Dry the peels to add fragrance to your tea or infusions
- Add them to your compost to enrich your soil
