Get ready to fall in love with a dish that sings with vibrant flavors and exciting textures. This Irresistibly Spicy Orange Sesame Chicken Recipe is a perfect harmony of zesty orange, a kick of heat, and the nutty charm of sesame seeds, all wrapped around tender, crispy chicken bites. Whether you’re craving a weeknight treat or something special to impress friends, this recipe delivers layers of bold taste and satisfying crunch that will have everyone asking for seconds. It’s comfort food with a lively twist that’s just as fun to make as it is to eat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this dish lies not only in its bold flavors but also in the simplicity and thoughtfulness of its ingredients. Each element plays a crucial role in building the perfect balance of spice, citrus brightness, and savory goodness.
- Boneless chicken breasts: Cut into cubes for easy coating and quick cooking.
- Egg white: Helps the cornstarch stick to the chicken for that perfect crispy texture.
- Tamari or soy sauce: Adds umami richness and depth of flavor.
- Orange zest: Provides a fresh, aromatic citrus punch throughout the dish.
- Black pepper: Just a dash to enhance the seasoning without overpowering.
- Cornstarch: Creates a crispy crust on the chicken while keeping it tender inside.
- Avocado oil: Chosen for its high smoke point and subtle flavor ideal for frying.
- Low sodium chicken broth: Adds savory background notes while balancing the sweetness.
- Fresh orange juice: Brings juicy sweetness and tang to the sauce.
- Rice vinegar: Introduces a gentle acidity to cut through the richness.
- Honey: Sweetens the sauce, harmonizing the spicy and sour elements.
- Garlic, grated: Adds aromatic warmth and a punch of flavor.
- Fresh grated ginger: Offers a zesty, spicy note that brightens the sauce.
- Chili flakes: Give that fiery kick that makes this recipe irresistibly spicy.
- Toasted sesame seeds: Sprinkle on top for nuttiness and crunch.
- Green onions, sliced: Fresh, vibrant garnish that adds color and a mild onion flavor.
How to Make Irresistibly Spicy Orange Sesame Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Begin by tossing the chicken cubes with egg white, tamari, orange zest, and pepper in a large bowl. This mixture not only flavors every bite but also prepares the chicken to hold the crispy coating perfectly. Letting it sit for a few minutes allows those layers of flavor to penetrate deeply.
Step 2: Coat the Chicken
Next, dredge each piece of chicken in cornstarch, ensuring each piece is fully covered. This step is essential because the cornstarch creates that coveted crispy crust when fried, locking in the juicy tenderness of the chicken inside.
Step 3: Prepare the Orange Sauce
Whisk together chicken broth, fresh orange juice, tamari, rice vinegar, and honey in a jar or bowl. This sauce is the heart of the dish, blending sweet, tangy, and savory flavors that will fully develop once heated with garlic, ginger, and chili flakes.
Step 4: Fry the Chicken
Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding—each piece should turn a beautiful golden brown in about 5 minutes. This cooking method ensures every bite has that satisfying crunch.
Step 5: Build the Flavorful Sauce
In the same skillet, sauté the garlic, ginger, and chili flakes for a couple of minutes until fragrant. Then pour in the prepared orange sauce, letting it gently boil for a few minutes to marry the flavors and slightly thicken.
Step 6: Combine and Glaze
Return the golden chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly in the luscious sauce. Cook everything together for another 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens and beautifully glazes every piece of chicken. This final step makes the dish truly irresistible.
Step 7: Plate and Garnish
Serve the sticky, spicy orange sesame chicken over a bed of steamed rice. Sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions for added texture, color, and flavor. Now it’s time to enjoy!
How to Serve Irresistibly Spicy Orange Sesame Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
To take your dish from delicious to dazzling, finish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions. The sesame seeds add nutty crunch, while the bright green onions give freshness that cuts through the richness — these small touches elevate every bite.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine or basmati rice, which soaks up every flavorful drop of sauce. For a complete meal, serve alongside sautéed or steamed greens like bok choy or snap peas; their crisp, fresh texture balances the bold spiciness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, serve this chicken on a platter garnished with thin orange slices and fresh cilantro sprigs. You could also wrap it up in warm tortillas with shredded cabbage for an Asian-inspired taco twist. Either way, this Irresistibly Spicy Orange Sesame Chicken Recipe shines in presentation as well as in flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The chicken will retain much of its flavor, though it might lose a bit of its initial crispiness. You can always reheat it properly to revive that delightful texture.
Freezing
If you want to keep this dish for longer, freeze the cooked chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Make sure it is fully cooled before freezing to maintain the best texture and freshness.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the chicken and sauce in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. This method helps maintain the glaze’s shine and flavor without drying out the chicken. Avoid microwaving if possible to preserve texture.
FAQs
Can I use other cuts of chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! While boneless chicken breasts provide a tender texture and cook evenly, you can also use chicken thighs for a juicier, more flavorful result. Just adjust cooking time accordingly to ensure they are cooked through.
How spicy is this Irresistibly Spicy Orange Sesame Chicken Recipe?
The heat comes from chili flakes and can be adjusted easily. Add more for an intense spicy punch or reduce the amount for a milder but still flavorful dish. It strikes a delightful balance between sweet, tangy, and spicy.
Is tamari necessary or can I substitute it?
Tamari is a gluten-free soy sauce alternative that adds deep umami flavor, but regular soy sauce works well too. If you prefer low sodium, choose a low-salt soy or tamari to control the saltiness in the dish.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
For a vegetarian twist, substitute chicken with firm tofu or cauliflower florets. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and replace honey with maple syrup or agave to keep it vegan-friendly while preserving the delicious flavor profile.
What’s the best way to serve this dish for a crowd?
Make the chicken and sauce ahead of time, keep warm, and serve buffet style over rice with plenty of garnishes on the side. This allows guests to customize their plates and keeps the chicken crispy and saucy.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a dish that packs vibrant flavor, delightful texture, and a bit of a spicy kick, this Irresistibly Spicy Orange Sesame Chicken Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s easy to whip up, endlessly satisfying, and perfect for sharing with loved ones. Go ahead and give it a try—you’ll be amazed at how quickly it becomes a favorite meal to make again and again.
Print
Irresistibly Spicy Orange Sesame Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Halal
Description
A vibrant and flavorful spicy orange sesame chicken featuring tender boneless chicken breasts coated in a crispy cornstarch crust, tossed in a tangy and sweet orange sauce with a kick of chili flakes. This dish is perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner that combines Asian-inspired flavors with a delightful balance of heat and citrus.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 1 pound Boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- 1 Egg white
- 1/4 cup Tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Orange zest
- 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1/2 cup Cornstarch
Sauce
- 1/2 cup Low sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup Fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup Tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 3 cloves Garlic, grated
- 1 tablespoon Fresh grated ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon Chili flakes
Finishing and Garnish
- 1/4 cup Avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons Toasted sesame seeds
- 2 stalks Green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken, egg white, tamari or soy sauce, orange zest, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to coat each piece evenly, allowing the flavors to infuse.
- Coat the chicken: Place cornstarch in a separate bowl. Dredge each chicken piece through the cornstarch, ensuring a full coating for a crispy finish when cooked.
- Prepare the sauce: In a glass jar, whisk together low sodium chicken broth, fresh orange juice, tamari or soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey until well combined.
- Cook the chicken: Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the coated chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook each batch for about 5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics and spice: Using the same skillet, add grated garlic, fresh grated ginger, and chili flakes. Sauté gently for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant but not burnt.
- Add and reduce sauce: Pour the prepared orange sauce into the skillet. Bring it to a gentle boil and let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes to let flavors meld and sauce slightly reduce.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat the pieces in the sauce. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and glazes the chicken beautifully.
- Serve: Plate the glazed chicken over steamed rice. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions for added flavor and crunch.
Notes
- For extra heat, increase chili flakes to taste or add fresh sliced chili peppers.
- To keep chicken extra crispy, cook in batches without overcrowding the pan.
- Use low sodium soy sauce or tamari to control saltiness in the dish.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice and zest are key to achieving bright citrus flavor.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine or basmati rice.
