Orange chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish that consists of crispy fried chicken pieces coated in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. The sauce is what really makes this dish stand out and gives it its characteristic flavor. But what exactly goes into the sticky, sweet and slightly spicy orange chicken sauce?
The Main Ingredients
While recipes can vary slightly, the basic ingredients in orange chicken sauce are:
- Soy sauce – This provides saltiness and umami flavor.
- Rice vinegar or white vinegar – Adds a tangy zest.
- Orange juice – Provides sweetness and citrusy flavor.
- Orange zest – Enhances the orange flavor.
- Brown sugar – Contributes sweetness and thickness.
- Cornstarch – Thickens the sauce so it coats the chicken.
- Garlic and ginger – Provide aromatic flavor.
- Chili paste or crushed red pepper – Adds mild heat and spice.
These simple pantry ingredients are all it takes to make the flavorful sauce that coats crispy fried chicken pieces. The savory soy sauce, tart vinegar, sweet orange juice and spicy chili paste combine to create a complex, balanced flavor profile. Let’s look closer at some of the key ingredients.
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is responsible for the salty, umami taste that provides a base for the other flavors. Regular soy sauce or liquid aminos can be used. Dark soy sauce will result in a darker colored sauce.
Rice Vinegar
Rice vinegar adds a bright punch of acidity to balance out the sweetness. White distilled vinegar is a suitable substitute. Rice wine vinegar is milder than western distilled vinegars.
Orange Juice
Freshly squeezed orange juice gives the sauce its distinctly orange flavor. Concentrated frozen orange juice can also be used. Navel oranges are a good choice for their balanced sweet-tart taste.
Brown Sugar
Brown sugar balances the acidity and contributes body, thickness and sheen. White sugar can be substituted but brown sugar’s molasses notes are ideal. Adjust the amount to taste depending on tartness of the citrus.
Cornstarch
A slurry of cornstarch mixed with cold water helps thicken the sauce so it coats the chicken pieces with a sticky glaze. Arrowroot powder is a possible substitute.
Garlic and Ginger
Garlic and ginger provide a subtle aromatic backbone. Adjust amounts to preference. Other aromatics like onion or shallots can also be used.
Spice and Heat
Crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne, Sriracha or other chili-based sauces can be used to add a touch of heat. Five-spice powder also works well. Leave them out for a milder sauce.
The Sauce Making Process
To turn these ingredients into a restaurant-worthy orange chicken sauce involves just a few steps:
- Mix the wet ingredients – Whisk together the soy sauce, vinegar, orange juice, orange zest and brown sugar.
- Make a slurry – Mix cornstarch with cold water to form a slurry.
- Cook the sauce – Bring the wet ingredients to a boil, then reduce heat. Add garlic, ginger and spices, then slowly stir in the cornstarch slurry. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened to desired consistency.
- Toss with blanched chicken – Toss the cooked sauce with bite-sized boneless chicken pieces.
- Fry until crispy – Fry the sauced chicken in oil until crispy and caramelized.
- Serve over rice – Plate the crispy orange chicken over steamed white rice.
The result is a plate of juicy fried chicken nuggets coated in a glossy, sweet and savory orange sauce. Adjust the ingredient amounts to suit your taste – more vinegar for extra tang or more sugar for added sweetness. The rice helps soak up that tasty sauce!
Variations
While the core orange chicken sauce ingredients remain the same, there are many flavor variations that can be created by switching up some of the components:
Tangerine Chicken
Use tangerine juice and zest in place of oranges for a fruitier, tarter flavor. Reduce sugar slightly to balance.
Coconut Orange Chicken
Add some coconut milk and flakes for a tropical twist. Reduce orange juice by half to keep the sauce from becoming too thin.
Spicy Orange Chicken
Add sambal oelek, Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce to ratchet up the spice level. Balance with a bit more sugar.
Citrus Medley Chicken
Use a blend of citrus juices, like orange, lemon and lime, for a more complex flavor. Adjust sweetness and tartness as needed.
Orange Sesame Chicken
Add 2 tablespoons sesame oil and garnish with toasted sesame seeds. Reduce soy sauce slightly to prevent over-salting.
Healthier Orange Chicken
For a lighter version, the chicken can be oven baked instead of deep fried. Skip the cornstarch slurry for a thinner, glaze-style sauce. Brown rice or cauliflower rice can sub in for white rice. Here are some other healthy modifications:
- Use lean chicken breast instead of thigh meat.
- Swap the white sugar for honey or maple syrup.
- Choose reduced-sodium soy sauce.
- Use fresh ginger and garlic instead of powders.
- Add stir-fried vegetables like bell peppers and broccoli.
- Garnish with scallions, sesame seeds or crushed peanuts.
Ingredient Substitutions
Some other ingredient substitutions to try in orange chicken sauce:
| Instead of: | Substitute: |
|---|---|
| Soy sauce | Liquid aminos, tamari, coconut aminos |
| Rice vinegar | White wine vinegar, champagne vinegar, sherry vinegar |
| Orange juice | Clementine, blood orange, or pineapple juice |
| Orange zest | Lemon, lime, or tangerine zest |
| Brown sugar | Maple syrup, honey, agave |
| Cornstarch slurry | Arrowroot or tapioca starch slurry |
| Garlic | Shallots, onion, leeks |
| Ginger | Galangal, allspice |
Conclusion
At its core, orange chicken sauce is made up of soy sauce, vinegar, orange juice, aromatics and thickeners. By playing with the key ingredient ratios and adding creative substitutions, you can put your own spin on this popular Chinese take-out dish. The balance of salty, sweet, sour and spicy flavors makes orange chicken sauce so craveable. Next time you’re sauce-ifying some chicken, ditch the boring bottled sauces and whip up a homemade orange chicken sauce instead.