Wholesome Orange Chicken Baked NOT Fried! (Panda Express Inspired)

chicken

🥗Healthier: tofu

💰Cheaper: chicken thighs

Tofu is lower in calories and suitable for vegetarians; chicken thighs are more affordable than breasts.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey is a natural sweetener; brown sugar is often cheaper and adds a different flavor.

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Cut the chicken breast into small chunks, about half an inch thick.

Set up three bowls for dredging: one with flour, one with milk, and one with breadcrumbs.

In the flour bowl, add 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt and 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper; mix to combine.

In the milk bowl, add 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt and 1/8 teaspoon of ground black pepper; mix to combine.

In the breadcrumbs bowl, add 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt and 1/8 teaspoon of ground black pepper; mix to combine.

Using one hand for wet and one hand for dry, coat each piece of chicken in flour, then milk, then breadcrumbs, ensuring even coating.

Place the breaded chicken pieces on the lined sheet pan without them touching each other.

Bake the chicken in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown and crunchy, without flipping them during baking.

While the chicken is baking, clean the workspace and discard the dredging station.

Juice one large navel orange into a small saucepan, using a fine mesh strainer to keep out the pulp.

Add 1/4 teaspoon of orange zest from the orange to the saucepan.

To the orange juice, add 1 tablespoon of water, 1/4 cup of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar, 1/4 cup of raw honey, 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, and 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder; stir to combine and heat over medium until it begins to simmer.

In a separate bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry.

Once the sauce simmers, add the cornstarch slurry and whisk for 1 to 2 minutes until thickened.

Remove the sauce from heat and stir in the reserved 1/4 teaspoon of orange zest.

Transfer the baked chicken to a heat-safe bowl and pour the orange sauce over it, tossing gently to coat.

Garnish with green onion and serve with rice.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens