Zesty orange chicken recipe
This Zesty Honey Orange Chicken Bites recipe is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken pieces are coated in a crispy panko crust, then tossed in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. Serve with rice and steamed broccoli for a complete meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil divided
- 1 egg beaten
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup honey preferably local
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice zest before juicing
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp orange zest
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
- Cooked rice and steamed broccoli for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F degrees. Grease a large casserole dish with one tablespoon of olive oil.
- Crack the egg into a shallow dish and lightly beat it. Add cornstarch to a second shallow dish and panko breadcrumbs to a third shallow dish.
- Season each with salt and pepper, and season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper to taste.
- Dredge each chicken piece in the cornstarch, egg, and panko crumbs. Transfer the coated chicken to the prepared casserole dish and brush with the remaining olive oil.
- Transfer the casserole dish with the chicken into the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
- In the meantime, in a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, orange juice, sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, orange zest, and red chili flakes—season lightly with salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and pour the orange glaze over it. Toss to coat the chicken and return it to the oven until it is cooked through and glossy, another 20 minutes, stirring once at the 10-minute mark.
- Serve the chicken alongside rice and broccoli, and enjoy!
