Description
This homemade orange chicken sauce is the perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, made with fresh orange juice, zest, and aromatic spices. It’s the ideal accompaniment to crispy chicken or any protein of your choice, creating a flavorful, irresistible dish every time!
Ingredients
1 cup fresh orange juice (from about 2–3 oranges)
1 tablespoon orange zest
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon honey (optional, for extra sweetness)
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
Prep the Ingredients:
Zest the oranges and squeeze the juice. Mince the garlic and ginger.Combine Ingredients:
In a medium saucepan, combine the orange juice, zest, sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger. Stir to combine.Cook the Sauce:
Heat the mixture over medium heat until it starts to simmer. Stir occasionally.Thicken the Sauce:
Add the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) to the simmering sauce, stirring constantly. Let it cook for another 2-3 minutes until it thickens.Adjust the Flavor:
Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness or acidity to your liking by adding more sugar or vinegar. For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes.Serve:
Pour the sauce over your favorite protein like crispy chicken or tofu, or use it as a dipping sauce.
Notes
This sauce can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.
If the sauce gets too thick, simply add a little water to thin it to your desired consistency.
For a more vibrant orange color, add a small amount of food coloring (optional).
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sauce, Asian
- Method: Stove-top
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 100 kcal
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg