Easy Orange Chicken — SMART CHICKEN

**Sarah Thomas-Drawbaugh, Recipe Developer and Food Blogger, Healthyish Foods**

Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 25 mins Total Time: 35 mins Serves: 2 servings

This easy orange chicken recipe is easy to make and delicious. The crispy chicken thighs are tossed with the most delicious sticky orange sauce. Topped with green onion, sesame seeds and red pepper flakes, this dish is perfect any night of the week. Enjoy it with a side of rice for the ultimate homemade meal.

Ingredients

For the Chicken Thighs:

1 lb. Smart Chicken Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, cut into bite sized pieces
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons cornstarch, toss the chicken until well coated
¼ cup vegetable oil , for frying chicken

For the Orange Sauce:

1 cup orange juice, pulp free
2 teaspoons orange zest
2 tablespoons soy sauce, low sodium
¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
½ teaspoon garlic, minced small 1-2 cloves
½ teaspoon ginger, peel and mince small
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

For the Rice:

1 cup cooked rice

Directions

Grab a large mixing bowl, combine orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, minced ginger, light brown sugar, orange zest, and cornstarch. Whisk until well combined and set it aside.

Cut your chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces using poultry scissors or a knife. Add the chicken to a mixing bowl. Dust the chicken with salt, pepper, and cornstarch. Toss until well coated. Heat ¼ cup oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Fry the chicken until crispy or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the crispy chicken from the pan and place it on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil. Carefully, use a paper towel to absorb any excess oil from the pan.

Next, you’ll add the chicken back into the pan, and pour the orange sauce over it. Simmer over medium heat until the sauce thickens to your liking. Serve hot over cooked rice.