Orange Chicken

If you are a fan of Orange Chicken  from the Chinese restaurants, then I am hoping this homemade version is going to bring a smile to our face.  I would love to be able to make it at home.  In the restaurant it normally consists of chopped, battered, and fried pieces of chicken coated in a sweet orange-flavored chili sauce, which thickens or caramelizes to a glaze.

Ingredients
Canola Oil for frying
2 tsp sesame oil
1 egg
1/3 cup corn starch
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 lbs boneless chicken

For the Sauce:
1 1/2 tsp fresh orange zest
2 tbsp fresh orange juice
3 tbsp soy sauce
3 tbsp water
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
1/3 cup chicken broth
2 tbsp corn starch
1 tsp canola oil
1 1/2 tsp minced ginger
3 cloves garlic, finely minced

For the Garnish:
sliced green onions 
orange slices

Instructions

Pour 1 to 2 inches of canola oil in a small deep fryer or heavy bottomed pot and heat to 375 degrees F.  In a large bowl combine the sesame oil, egg, 3 tbsp soy sauce and 1/3 cup corn starch until a thin batter forms. Toss in the chicken pieces and let sit for a few minutes while the oil heats up. Fry the chicken in batches and drain on a paper towel lined plate. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce.





For the sauce, combine the orange zest, orange juice, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 3 tbsp water, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/3 cup rice wine vinegar (or dry sherry), 1/3 cup chicken broth and 2 tbsp corn starch in a bowl and set aside.

Once chicken is finished cooking, heat 1 tsp canola oil in a large wok or skillet over medium high heat. Toss in the ginger and garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the sauce and cook over medium heat until thickened, stirring occasionally.

Once thickened (about 3 to 4 minutes) add the chicken to the wok and stir to coat with sauce. Garnish with sliced green onions and orange slices and serve over hot steamed rice if desired.

Tupps Tidbits: When frying don’t overcrowd the pan – you want to fry the meat, not steam it. Fry in batches if necessary.

Well this left a horrible taste in my mouth, right away. It ruined all the effort Tupps put in to making it. It was a smooth texture sauce and it sticks right to the chicken and did give it a gorgeous shine but the taste was horrible. Definitely needs more orange zest.
 
NOT a Keeper in our house and not the best homemade orange chicken!

Where did we find this?  www.iwashyoudry.com