Introduction

Oven Baked Orange Chicken is a delicious and healthier twist on a popular takeout favorite. This dish features tender chicken pieces coated in a flavorful orange sauce, baked to perfection for an easy weeknight meal.

Oven Baked Orange Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

2 pounds chicken breast
3 tablespoons corn starch
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 tablespoons soy sauce
¾ cup orange juice
½ cup brown sugar
1 orange (zest of)
1 tablespoon minced ginger
3 cloves garlic (minced)
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350˚F.
Step 2: Cut chicken into even bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch big. Stir the sesame oil into the chicken bites. Toss the pieces with corn starch, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
Step 3: Transfer the chicken pieces to a large casserole dish and spread them into a single layer. Bake for 10 minutes.
Step 4: While the chicken bakes, make the orange sauce by whisking together soy sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, orange zest, minced ginger, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and 2 tablespoons cornstarch in a saucepan.
Step 5: Bring the saucepan to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens, then remove from heat.
Step 6: When the chicken is done baking, pour the orange sauce over it and toss to coat evenly. Return to the oven for 4–6 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165˚F.
Step 7: Remove from oven and garnish with green onions if desired. Serve warm with rice.

Tips & Variations

For extra crunch, broil the chicken for the last 2 minutes before serving.
Use fresh orange juice and zest for the best flavor.
Substitute chicken thighs for a juicier option.
Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes for your preferred spice level or omit if you prefer it mild.

Storage

Store leftover orange chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through to keep the chicken tender.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh chicken breast for even cooking and better texture, but if using frozen, make sure it is fully thawed before preparing the recipe.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

This recipe contains soy sauce, which often has gluten. Use a gluten-free tamari or soy sauce alternative to make it gluten-free.

Oven Baked Orange Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 137 reviews

Oven Baked Orange Chicken is a flavorful and healthier twist on the classic takeout favorite. Tender chicken breast pieces are coated with a crispy cornstarch crust, then baked to perfection and smothered in a tangy, sweet orange sauce enriched with fresh ginger and garlic. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner served alongside fluffy rice.

Author: Kai
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 16 minutes
Total Time: 31 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American-Chinese

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

2 pounds chicken breast
3 tablespoons corn starch
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon sesame oil

Orange Sauce

3 tablespoons soy sauce
¾ cup orange juice
½ cup brown sugar
1 orange (zest of)
1 tablespoon minced ginger
3 cloves garlic (minced)
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350˚F (175˚C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into even bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch each. Toss the chicken pieces with sesame oil until evenly coated. Then, sprinkle the cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper over the chicken and toss again to ensure every piece is well coated.
Bake Chicken First Round: Spread the coated chicken pieces evenly in a single layer in a large casserole dish. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 10 minutes, allowing the chicken to start cooking and the coating to set.
Make Orange Sauce: While the chicken bakes, combine soy sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, orange zest, minced ginger, minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and cornstarch in a saucepan. Whisk everything together thoroughly.
Simmer Sauce: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly. Remove the pan from heat once the desired consistency is reached.
Coat Chicken with Sauce: When the chicken’s initial baking time is complete, remove the casserole dish from the oven. Pour the thickened orange sauce over the chicken and toss gently to coat all pieces evenly.
Bake Chicken Final Round: Return the casserole dish to the oven for an additional 4-6 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165˚F (74˚C) and is fully cooked through.
Serve: Remove the orange chicken from the oven and optionally garnish with sliced green onions. Serve the dish warm, ideally with steamed rice to soak up the delicious sauce.

Notes

For more heat, increase or omit the crushed red pepper flakes.
Use fresh orange juice and zest for the best citrus flavor.
Ensure chicken pieces are cut evenly for uniform cooking.
Check internal temperature of chicken to avoid undercooking.
Can be garnished with sesame seeds or green onions for added texture and flavor.
Storing leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge is recommended for up to 3 days.

Keywords: orange chicken, baked orange chicken, healthy orange chicken, oven baked chicken, Chinese inspired chicken, orange sauce chicken