Orange Chicken Recipe

Preparation Ditrections

• STEP 1.Cut 300 gm chicken breast lengthwise in half and cut ¼ inch thick sliced at 45 degree angle.

Cooking Direction

• STEP 1.Place 300 gm sliced chicken breast in a mixing bowl and add ½ tsp salt ½ tsp black pepper, juice of half and orange (2 tbsp). Mix well, cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
• STEP 2.For the batter, in a small bowl, break 2 eggs and beat them well.
• STEP 3.In a larger bowl add 100 gm cornflour. To this add the beaten egg and stir continuously till a lump free shiny batter consistency is reached.
• STEP 4.Add the marinated chicken to this batter and mix well to ensure that each piece of chicken is well coated with batter.
• STEP 5. In a deep pan heat 2 cups soybean oil to 360 degree fahrenheit . To check the temperature of the oil without a thermometer, drop a few drops of batter in the oil. If it bubbles and rises to the surface immediately , the oil is hot enough.
• STEP 6. Add the chicken one piece at a time to the hot oil. Do not crowd the pan and keep pushing the chicken gently to ensure that the pieces do not stick to each other.
• STEP 7. Stir continuously to ensure that he fry evenly.
• STEP 8. When the surface gets hard, take the pieces out of the oil using a sieve. They do not have to be golden brown. Using the sieve remove the floating bits of batter on the oil.
• STEP 9. Fry the next batch of chicken.
• STEP 10. Once all the chicken pieces have been fried this way. Let them rest for 10 minutes.
• STEP 11. To double fry the chicken heat the oil to 390 degrees fahrenheit. Add all the pieces into the hot oil together. They will not stick to each other at this stage.
• STEP 12. Stir and fry till the chicken turns golden brown. Double frying ensures that the outer layer stays crisp longer. Set the chicken aside.
• STEP 13. To make the sauce ,heat a wok and add 2 tsp oil, 1 ½ tsp minced ginger ,1 tbsp minced garlic anda few shakes of chilli powder or chilli flakes (optional).
• STEP 14. Stir until fragrant and then add ¼ cup fresh orange juice, 3 ½ tbsp light soya sauce, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 ½ tsp orange zest.
• STEP 15. Stir to melt the sugar. Add 1 tbsp honey (optional).
• STEP 16. Then add 3 tbsp white vinegar and cornstarch water (1 ½ tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water).
• STEP 17. Keep stirring till the sauce reaches a consistency thicker than syrup. Turn off the heat. If the sauce is too thin it will make the chicken soggy.
• STEP 18. Add the double fried chicken. Toss well to ensure that all the pieces of chicken get well coated with the sauce.
• STEP 19. Serve in a bowl garnished with chopped spring onion.