Baked Orange Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken pieces coated in a sweet, tangy orange sauce, baked until caramelized and golden.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.75 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
02 - Salt and pepper, to taste
03 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch

→ Orange Sauce

04 - 2/3 cup fresh orange juice
05 - 2 tablespoons orange zest
06 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce
07 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
08 - 3 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
09 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
11 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
12 - 1 teaspoon chili flakes (optional, for heat)

→ Garnishes

13 - 2 green onions, sliced
14 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
15 - Orange slices (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then toss with cornstarch to coat evenly.
03 - Arrange coated chicken in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
04 - While the chicken bakes, combine orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or brown sugar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and chili flakes in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened.
05 - Transfer baked chicken to a large bowl. Pour the orange sauce over and toss to coat thoroughly.
06 - Return the sauced chicken to the oven for an additional 5 to 7 minutes until caramelized.
07 - Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and orange slices if desired. Serve immediately with steamed rice or vegetables.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce caramelizes in the oven so every piece of chicken gets those sticky golden edges nobody can resist.
  • It reheats beautifully the next day, making it a champion for leftovers and lunchboxes.
  • You probably have most of the ingredients sitting in your pantry and fridge right now.
02 -
  • If you crowd the baking sheet the chicken will steam instead of bake and you will lose those crispy edges entirely.
  • The sauce will look thinner than you expect when it comes off the stove but it thickens considerably during that final oven stretch.
  • For extra crispy chicken a quick two minute broil at the end works wonders but watch it like a hawk because it goes from perfect to burnt fast.
03 -
  • Zest your oranges before juicing them because trying to zest a squeezed orange half is a frustrating exercise in futility.
  • Toss the chicken with cornstarch in a large zip bag, seal it, and shake vigorously for the most even coating with the least mess.

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