Perfect Orange Chicken And Fried Rice Recipe: A Delicious, Flavorful, And Delightful Family Meal

Perfect Orange Chicken And Fried Rice Recipe is a fantastic choice if you’re craving a delicious, sweet, and savoury meal. This Perfect Orange Chicken And Fried Rice Recipe dish combines crispy chicken in a tangy orange sauce with fragrant fried rice, creating a comforting and satisfying meal for the whole family. As someone who has made this Chicken recipe countless times, I can tell you it’s perfect for busy weeknights and special occasions. In this post, I’ll guide you through the process of preparing this Perfect Orange Chicken And Fried Rice Recipe dish from scratch, step by step.

Ingredients for the Perfect Orange Chicken And Fried Rice Recipe

To get started with the Perfect Orange Chicken And Fried Rice Recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients

For the Orange Chicken

• 1 lb boneless, skinless fresh chicken breasts or thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup cornstarch
• Vegetable oil for frying

For the Orange Sauce

• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp fresh cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp water to make a slurry)
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• Zest of 1 orange

For the Fried Rice

• 2 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old rice)
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
• 2 eggs, scrambled
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

Step-by-Step Guide for the Perfect Orange Chicken And Fried Rice Recipe

1. Preparing the Chicken for the Perfect Orange Chicken And Fried Rice Recipe

Start by cutting the chicken into some bite-sized pieces. In one bowl, mix the flour, fresh salt, and pepper. In another bowl, beat the eggs. In a third bowl, add the cornstarch. Dip each chicken piece into the attractive flour mixture, then the egg, and then coat it with cornstarch. Heat the fresh vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Then, fry the chicken pieces in proper batches until golden and crispy. Once cooked, remove the chicken carefully and set it aside.

2. Making the Orange Sauce

For the sauce, mix the fresh orange juice, sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and orange zest in a clean saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer. Once the attractive mixture is simmering, slowly add the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with fresh water) and stir until the sauce thickens. Cook for at least 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat.

3. Coating the Chicken with Orange Sauce

After thickening the sauce, toss the fried chicken pieces in the orange sauce until well-coated. Make sure each piece is covered with the delicious, glossy sauce. Set the orange chicken aside.

4. Preparing the Fried Rice

Heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large pan or wok. Then, add the chopped onion. Cook it for about 2 minutes until soft. Add the frozen peas and fresh carrots, and stir-fry for another 3 minutes until the vegetables are cooked. Push the veggies to one side of the pan and scramble the eggs on the other side. Once the eggs are scrambled, mix them with the vegetables.

5. Adding the Rice and Seasoning

Add the cooked rice to the warm pan and break up any clumps. Stir-fry the rice with the fresh vegetables and eggs for 5-7 minutes until heated through. Drizzle the soy sauce and fresh sesame oil over the rice and stir to combine.

6. Serving the Orange Chicken And Fried Rice

Once the rice and chicken are ready, serve the Perfect Orange Chicken And Fried Rice Recipe in bowls. Top the rice with the crispy, tangy orange chicken, and garnish with chopped green onions. Serve immediately and enjoy the warm, comforting flavours.

Serving and Enjoying the Perfect Orange Chicken And Fried Rice Recipe

To serve the Perfect Orange Chicken and Fried Rice Recipe, ladle a generous portion of the fried rice into bowls and then top each bowl with the orange chicken. The sweet and savoury flavours perfectly complement the crispy chicken and fragrant fried rice. Enjoy the delightful combination with every spoonful of Perfect Orange Chicken And Fried Rice Recipe!

Here are some Chef’s Tips to take your Perfect Orange Chicken And Fried Rice Recipe to the next level

1. Use Day-Old Rice for the Best Fried Rice

Day-old rice is perfect for fried rice because it has a firmer texture and won’t get mushy when stir-fried. If you’re using fresh rice, let it cool completely before using it in the fried rice. You can even spread it on a baking sheet to help it cool faster.

2. Double-coat the Chicken for Extra Crispiness

For extra crispy chicken, try double-coating the pieces. First, dip the chicken in the attractive flour mixture, then the egg, and then coat it again with cornstarch. This creates a thicker, crunchier coating that will hold up better once tossed in the sauce.

3. Don’t Overcrowd the Pan When Frying Chicken

Frying the chicken in batches prevents overcrowding the pan, ensuring that each piece gets golden and crispy. If you overcrowd the pan, the chicken would steam instead of fry, making it soggy.

4. Adjust the Sauce Consistency

If the orange sauce turns out too thick, you can thin it by adding water or extra orange juice. If it’s too thin, add more cornstarch slurry to thicken it up. Be sure to taste and adjust the sweetness by adding more sugar or honey.

5. Fresh Ginger Makes a Big Difference

Using fresh ginger instead of powdered ginger will give the sauce a more vibrant and aromatic flavour. Grate the ginger finely so it blends seamlessly into the sauce, releasing its full flavour.

6. Add a splash of fresh rice vinegar to Extra Tang.

Rice vinegar adds a hint of fresh tanginess to the sauce, balancing out the sweetness of the orange juice. Add a splash of rice vinegar or fresh lemon juice if you want a more intense flavour.

7. Keep the Fried Rice Moving

When making the fried rice, keep stirring constantly to ensure that all the rice is evenly fried and doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. This helps the rice absorb the flavours of the soy sauce and fresh sesame oil, giving it a delicious, smoky taste.

8. Experiment with Different Vegetables

While the classic peas and carrots combo is excellent, experiment with other vegetables. Bell peppers, snap peas, or even baby corn can add variety and colour to your fried rice. Just cook the veggies to the right texture—crisp-tender is ideal!

9. Garnish with Fresh Green Onions

Green onions add a fresh, crunchy element that complements the richness of the chicken and rice. Garnish your Perfect Orange Chicken and Fried Rice Recipe with chopped green onions for a pop of colour and an extra flavour.

10. Serve Immediately for the Best Texture

This delicious dish tastes best when served immediately after assembling. The crispy chicken will lose its crunch over time, so it’s best enjoyed fresh. If you need to make it ahead, you can prep the components and then quickly assemble and serve when ready.

By following these tips, you’ll ensure that your Perfect Orange Chicken and Fried Rice Recipe is flavorful, crispy, and perfectly balanced every time!

Here’s a general idea of the nutrition information for the Perfect Orange Chicken And Fried Rice Recipe. Remember that these values are estimates and can vary depending on the specific and essential ingredients you use and the portion sizes. The breakdown below is based on a typical serving size of one plate (1 serving), 1 cup of fried rice, and 4-5 pieces of orange chicken.

Estimated Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 650-750 kcal

Protein: 30-35g

Carbohydrates: 75-85g

Fat: 25-30g

• Saturated Fat: 4-6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 70-80mg
• Sodium: 800-1,000mg
• Fibre: 2-4g
• Sugar: 15-20g
• Vitamin A: 10-15% of the daily recommended value
• Vitamin C: 20-30% of the daily recommended value
• Calcium: 4-6% of the daily recommended value
• Iron: 8-10% of the daily recommended value

Breakdown of Key Components

1. Orange Chicken:
   • Calories: The chicken is typically breaded and fried, contributing the most calories and fat. The orange sauce, which often contains sugar, adds extra calories from carbohydrates.
   • Protein: Chicken is a good source of healthy lean protein.
   • Fat: The frying process adds fat, especially if the food is deep-fried, though using less oil can reduce the fat content.
   • Carbs: The sauce’s sugar content and any added cornstarch or flour for breading contribute to the carbohydrate count.
2. Fried Rice
   • Carbohydrates: Rice is a primary source of carbs, and fried rice often contains additional sugars and oils.
   • Protein: Eggs and any added chicken or shrimp contribute to the protein content.
   • Fat: Fried rice is usually cooked with oil or butter, increasing its fat content.
   • Fibre: The fibre content in fried rice depends on whether vegetables like peas, carrots, or bell peppers are included.

Ways to Modify for Healthier Options

• Reduce Calories & Fat: Use less oil when frying the rice and chicken, and consider baking or grilling the chicken instead of frying it.
• Lower Sodium: To reduce sodium, use low-sodium soy sauce or tamari in both the chicken and fried rice.
• Increase Fiber: Add more vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas to the fried rice for extra fibre and vitamins.
• Lower Sugar: Reduce sugar in the orange sauce or substitute stevia or honey.

Final Notes

This Perfect Orange Chicken and Fried Rice Recipe is a flavorful and filling dish, but like many Chinese-inspired takeout meals, it can be high in calories, fat, and sodium. Making it at home gives you absolute control over the ingredients and allows you to customize it to suit your dietary preferences.

Remember that these values of the Perfect Orange Chicken And Fried Rice Recipe can change based on serving size, cooking method, and your chosen ingredients. If you’re looking for more precise nutrition details, consider using a nutrition calculator or food database with the exact products and measurements you’re using.

Here are some related recipe names for the Perfect Orange Chicken and Fried Rice Recipe that you might enjoy trying out

1. General Tso’s Chicken with Fried Rice
2. Sweet and Sour Chicken with Fried Rice
3. Honey Sesame Chicken and Vegetable Fried Rice
4. Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry with Rice
5. Kung Pao Chicken with Fried Rice
6. Lemon Chicken with Garlic Fried Rice
7. Spicy Szechuan Chicken and Fried Rice
8. Crispy Chicken with Pineapple Fried Rice
9. Mandarin Chicken with Veggie Fried Rice
10. Orange Glazed Shrimp and Fried Rice

These recipes share similar flavor profiles and cooking techniques. They feature crispy chicken or protein with flavorful fried rice, often paired with a sweet and tangy sauce. If you’re looking for variety or want to try a different take on the Perfect Orange Chicken And Fried Rice Recipe, these recipes would be great alternatives to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the Perfect Orange Chicken And Fried Rice Recipe

Conclusion

The Perfect Orange Chicken and Fried Rice Recipe is a delicious, satisfying dish that combines crispy chicken, flavorful rice, and a tangy orange sauce. It’s perfect for a weeknight meal or a special dinner with family and friends. By following these straightforward and practical steps, you can easily recreate this Chicken dish at home, and I’m sure it will quickly become a favourite in your household. Enjoy the perfect blend of sweet, savoury, and crispy in every bite!