Go Back
baked-orange-chicken-skillet-sauce

Baked Orange Chicken

Crispy panko-coated chicken thighs baked in the oven and tossed in a bold homemade orange sauce with ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and fresh orange zest. A healthier takeout-style dinner ready in 30 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese-American
Calories: 424

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into small chunks
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs pulsed in food processor until fine
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • cooking spray or vegetable oil for coating chicken before baking
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil for the sauce
  • 1 1/2 tbsp fresh ginger minced
  • 2 tsp garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper adjust to taste
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp rice wine or dry white wine
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice squeezed after zesting the orange
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
  • 10 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 10 tbsp white vinegar
  • 1 orange zested
  • green onions, sesame seeds, crushed red pepper optional garnish

Equipment

  • Baking sheet
  • Food processor
  • Medium saucepan
  • Meat thermometer
  • 3 to 4 shallow bowls for breading station

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pulse panko breadcrumbs in a food processor until fine, like regular breadcrumbs.
  2. Set up a breading station: flour in the first bowl, beaten eggs in the second, and processed panko in the third. Dip each chicken chunk in flour, then egg, then press into panko. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
  3. Spray the breaded chicken generously with cooking spray or brush lightly with vegetable oil. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
  4. While chicken bakes, heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add ginger, garlic, and crushed red pepper. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Add cornstarch, rice wine, orange juice, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, white vinegar, and orange zest. Stir to combine and bring to a boil, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
  6. As soon as the chicken comes out of the oven, toss it immediately with the orange sauce until every piece is evenly coated. Serve topped with green onions, sesame seeds, or extra crushed red pepper.

Notes

Pulse panko into finer crumbs before breading for the best texture -- larger panko creates a spiky coating. Always spray or oil the breaded chicken before baking for maximum crispiness. Sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead and refrigerated. Reheat sauce in a small saucepan before tossing with chicken.