Sweet and Sour Orange Chicken

This Asian-inspired sweet and sour orange chicken recipe batters and fries chicken to golden crispness and smothers it in a sweet and sour orange sauce.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Calories: 455 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 cup white sugar
• vegetable oil for frying
• 3 tablespoons water
• 4 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup ice water
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 2 tablespoons pineapple juice
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.5 cup water
• 0.5 cup ketchup
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 0.5 cup white vinegar
• 0.5 cup orange marmalade
• 1.5 teaspoons minced fresh ginger root
• 0.5 cup chopped fresh pineapple

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine cornstarch and 3 tablespoons water in a small bowl.

Step 2

Pour sauce over chicken and serve.

Step 3

Beat ice water and egg together in a bowl using a whisk or a fork. Add baking soda and salt; beat to combine. Add 1 cup flour; beat until blended but lumpy.

Step 4

Place remaining 1 cup flour in a separate bowl. Dredge chicken pieces in flour, then dip in egg mixture, letting excess batter drip off.

Step 5

Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large, deep skillet over medium heat until a drop of water crackles when dropped in oil.

Step 6

Carefully lower chicken into the hot oil; fry until golden brown and no longer pink in centers, 3 to 4 minutes, flipping if needed. Set aside and keep warm.

Step 7

Combine sugar, ketchup, vinegar, 1/2 cup water, orange marmalade, pineapple, pineapple juice, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and pepper flakes in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Add cornstarch mixture. Reduce heat; simmer, stirring frequently, until reaches desired thickness.