Description
Crispy Orange Chicken Nuggets are tender, golden-fried bites coated in a zesty-sweet orange sauce, offering a homemade twist on a takeout classic.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast or thighs
- 1/2 cup cornstarch or all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 1/2 cup orange juice (fresh or store-bought)
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water (slurry)
Instructions
- Cut chicken into nugget-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
- Beat eggs in a bowl. Dredge chicken in the egg, then coat with cornstarch or flour, shaking off excess.
- Heat oil in a pan or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken in batches until golden and crisp. Set aside on a wire rack.
- In a saucepan, combine orange juice, zest, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Simmer over medium heat for 5–7 minutes.
- Add cornstarch slurry to the sauce and stir until thickened.
- Toss fried nuggets in the orange sauce and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use freshly squeezed orange juice for brighter flavor.
- Do not overcrowd the frying pan—cook in batches.
- Let sauce cool slightly before coating to maintain crispiness.
- Use a wire rack to keep nuggets crispy after frying.
- Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg