Sticky Orange Chicken

Why You’ll Love This Sticky Orange Chicken Recipe

If you’re tired of the “What’s for dinner?!” chorus every night, Sticky Orange Chicken is about to become your new hero.
It’s crispy, saucy, sweet (but not too sweet), and fast enough for even your busiest weeknight.
And thanks to brown sugar instead of regular sugar, you get a sticky glaze that’s rich, deep, and completely irresistible. It’s a little like magic… but magic you can eat with a fork.

Bonus? Your kitchen will smell like an Orange Chicken-scented candle (someone needs to make that a thing, honestly).

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
½ cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
3 tablespoons oil (vegetable or canola works great)

For the Sticky Orange Sauce:

¾ cup orange juice (fresh is best, but bottled totally works)
¼ cup brown sugar (light or dark, depending how rich you want it)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for a quick slurry)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for a little kick)
Zest of 1 orange (optional, but highly recommended for extra orange oomph)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep the Chicken

In a shallow bowl, mix the cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper.
Dip each chicken piece first into the beaten eggs, then dredge in the flour-cornstarch mixture until well coated.

Tip: A “wet hand/dry hand” system will save your sanity (and keep you from breading your own fingers).

2. Crisp the Chicken

Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet.
Add chicken in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan.
Cook about 3–4 minutes per side, until golden and fully cooked.
Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

3. Make the Sticky Orange Sauce

In the same pan (after wiping out most of the oil), sauté garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in the orange juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, and rice vinegar.
Bring it to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
Stir the cornstarch slurry into the sauce and let it bubble until thickened — about 1–2 minutes.
Add orange zest and red pepper flakes if using.

4. Combine and Serve

Picture this: crispy chicken getting drenched in that sticky, glossy, amber-orange sauce.

Return the chicken to the pan and toss until each piece is luxuriously coated.
Serve hot, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions for extra flair!

Customization Ideas

Want it spicier? Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha.
Need gluten-free? Swap soy sauce for tamari and use gluten-free flour.
Going veggie? Try crispy cauliflower or tofu instead of chicken!
Extra flavor? A few drops of toasted sesame oil stirred into the sauce = game-changer.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Store leftovers: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Gently rewarm in a skillet over low heat or microwave with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
Freeze: Freeze the cooked (but unsauced) chicken pieces. When ready, thaw, crisp up in the oven, and toss with fresh sauce.

Pairings and Serving Suggestions

Serve over: Steamed jasmine rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice.
Add a side: Quick stir-fried green beans, broccoli, or snap peas.
Make it a feast: Pair with homemade or store-bought egg rolls or dumplings!

Tips and Hacks for Speedy Success

Use chicken tenders: They cook even faster than breasts.
Pre-make your dredge station: Set up your bowls assembly-line style before you start.
Shortcut sauce: No fresh oranges? Use bottled juice and skip the zest (but add a little extra vinegar to brighten it up).
Double the sauce: Because honestly, you’ll want to drizzle it on EVERYTHING.

Tried it yet?

Tried this Sticky Orange Chicken?
Pin it for later so you always have a homemade takeout plan ready, and leave a comment with your favorite way to tweak it — extra sticky, extra spicy, or even a little extra citrusy?

I can’t wait to hear (and drool over) your creations!