Chinese food is a success in Mexico and the world, as it can be found in fast food restaurants, it is delicious, and the portions are usually large, which is why it is trendy among diners. If you like oriental-inspired food, go ahead and prepare these dishes at home, you will be fascinated!

One of the most famous oriental dishes is orange chicken because its bittersweet and slightly spicy flavour is simply irresistible. Best of all, it can be served with fried rice, Chinese noodles, and spring rolls.

What is the origin of orange chicken?

Orange chicken is an American dish inspired by the traditional sweet and sour dishes of the Hunan province in China.

The mastermind behind this fast food dish is chef Andy Kao, who created it in 1987 when he worked for the most prominent Chinese food chain in the United States.

Six tricks to prepare the best orange chicken

Next, we explain how to make the best orange chicken; you can’t miss it!

1. Marinate the chicken

Reserve some of the sauce to marinate the chicken, and add a good amount of salt to ensure the chicken tastes fantastic. Remember that the chicken must be marinated in the refrigerator for at least two hours.

2. Use fresh juice

The secret behind this recipe is the new juice and orange zest, as the sauce will have a wonderful flavour that can only be obtained using fresh ingredients.

3. Use a wok

Remember that, to prepare the best orange chicken, it is best to use a wok, as this is ideal for frying the chicken and mixing the sauce all in one!

4. The juiciest chicken

Although most recipes call for chicken breast, you can also substitute thigh, as long as the meat is in small pieces and the skin is removed. The advantage of using thigh is that the orange chicken will be juicier.

5. Prepare the crispiest chicken

If you want your orange chicken to be very crisp, it is best to bread it with a bit of cornstarch; you will notice the difference!

6. Thicken orange sauce

If the orange sauce is not thickening, remember to add a mixture of water and cornstarch to give it that perfect texture.

orange chicken recipe

Now that you know how to take your orange chicken to the next level with our best-kept secrets, we recommend you prepare this recipe; it will become your favourite!

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup orange juice
• Two tablespoons grated orange peel
• One tablespoon of fresh ginger, minced
• One tablespoon red oriental chilli
• Two cloves garlic, finely minced
• Three tablespoons soy sauce
• One tablespoon cornstarch
• Two tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1 kilo of chicken, cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup of white rice

Instructions

1. Mix the orange juice and cornstarch in a deep bowl until the cornstarch has dissolved. Later, add the orange peel, ginger, soy sauce and red chilli. Mix well.

2. Heat a large skillet or wok, then add the oil and sauté the garlic for 2 minutes.

3. Season chicken with salt and pepper and add to wok, cooking until chicken is cooked through.

4. Pour the orange sauce, mix and cook for about 3 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.

5. Remove orange chicken from heat and serve. Accompany with white rice.