How to Make Quick and Delicious Orange Chicken Sauce
If you like getting takeout orange chicken, but want a more nutritious version to make at home, this homage orange chicken sauce is perfect for you!
This simple but delicious orange chicken sauce is easy to put together and transforms plain chicken into a delicious asian-american meal! Additionally, sauces are some of the easiest items to make at home. Not only is it easy but it is typically a lot cheaper per ounce in the long run, especially if you’re looking for an orange chicken sauce with the same high quality ingredients that you may use at your own home.
What is Orange Chicken Sauce?
Orange chicken sauce is a sweet and sour tangy sauce that has a prominent orange flavor and a little bit of spice from red pepper flakes. This sauce combines sweet, savory and tangy flavors by using a combination of sugar and molasses with vinegar, spices, orange zest and orange juice.
The Origins
In researching the origins of orange chicken, I found that this dish was created by a chef of Panda Express who developed it as a menu item in a Hawaii panda express location. Although this is not a traditional Chinese dish, it is said that the creator of this tasty meal developed it to be similar to a different Chinese – American dish, General Tso’s Chicken.
Store Bought VS Homemade
Not only is homemade orange chicken sauce easy to make but it also has no un-needed preservatives! If you’re an ingredient conscious household, you know it can be difficult to find sauces and condiments that don’t have crazy, unpronounceable or questionable ingredients.
The two other benefits of making your own orange chicken sauce go hand in hand! Making orange chicken sauce at home primarily calls to use pantry staples. By using your pantry staples, you can also customize the flavor profile to you and your family’s preferences. If you like a spicier sauce, go ahead and use more red chili flakes. If you like a sweeter or more zingy sauce, add more sugar or fresh ginger. The flavor possibilities are endless!
How to Store Homemade Orange Chicken Sauce
How you store this homemade sauce will depend on how soon you will be using your delicious sauce. If you’re storing this sauce for the short term (3-5 days), you can keep it in an air tight food storage container in the fridge.
For longer term storage, I recommend freezing. Choose a freezer safe food storage container like a plastic deli container, ziploc bag or freezer safe glass container and place in the freezer. If kept frozen in a deep freezer, this sauce will last 6-12 months!
To use, take out the container of sauce and let thaw in the fridge overnight. Use as desired.
Shelf Life of Homemade Orange Chicken Sauce
As with many homemade foods, the shelf life is quite short. When making this sauce, it’s recommended storing in the fridge when not using and enjoying it within 3-5 days of preparing. If you need it to last longer, I suggest freezing it.
Looking for more summer time recipe inspiration? You might also enjoy this delicious Strawberry Lemonade Recipe or this Cherry Popsicle Recipe!
What To Serve With Homemade Orange Chicken Sauce
Orange chicken is, of course, best served over white rice. That is the most classic option in which this dish is usually served. If you prefer a different starch option, you could also serve it with cooked quinoa, brown or fried rice.
If you’re looking for a different way to use this sauce, you could also use it as a wing sauce or over thinly sliced cooked beef.
Ingredients and Tools
¼ cup Soy Sauce (I like to use Shoyu, a traditionally fermented soy sauce)
¼ cup White Vinegar
½ cup fresh Orange juice (from about 2 medium oranges)
2-3 TBSP Orange zest (from about 2 oranges)
3 TBSP Cane Sugar
2 TBSP Molasses
2 pinches Red Pepper Flakes
3 tsp Freshly Grated Ginger
1 TBSP Freshly Minced Garlic
⅛ tsp fine Black Pepper
3 TBSP Cornstarch or Arrowroot Powder
A storage Jar with an airtight lid
A Whisk or fork
Directions
Measure all ingredients into your storage container and mix well with a whisk or fork.
Secure your airtight lid and store in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
If you don’t want to make a fresh batch every time you make orange chicken, you can make multiple batches and store some in the freezer for later.
To use, add sauce to 2 pounds of chicken that has been fully cooked. Add the sauce over the chicken and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens and becomes bubbly. Serve over rice and your choice of vegetable.
FAQ:
Why Make Homemade Orange Chicken Sauce?
Not only is homemade orange chicken sauce easy to make but it also has no un-needed preservatives! If you’re an ingredient conscious household, you know it can be difficult to find sauces and condiments that don’t have crazy, unpronounceable or questionable ingredients.
The two other benefits of making your own orange chicken sauce go hand in hand! Making orange chicken sauce at home primarily calls to use pantry staples. By using your pantry staples, you can also customize the flavor profile to you and your family’s preferences. If you like a spicier barbecue sauce, go ahead and use more red pepper flakes. If you like a sweeter or more zingy sauce, add more sugar or fresh ginger. The flavor possibilities are endless!
What is Orange Chicken Sauce?
Orange chicken sauce is a sweet and sour tangy sauce that has a prominent orange flavor and a little bit of spice from red pepper flakes. This sauce combines sweet, savory and tangy flavors by using a combination of sugar and molasses with vinegar, spices, orange zest and orange juice.
Where Did Orange Chicken Originate?
This dish was created by a chef of Panda Express who developed it as a menu item in a Hawaii panda express location. Although this is not a traditional Chinese dish, it is said that the creator of this tasty meal developed it to be similar to a different Chinese – American dish, General Tso’s Chicken.
How Do I Store Homemade BBQ Sauce?
How you store homemade orange chicken sauce will depend on how soon you will be using your delicious sauce. If you’re storing homemade orange chicken sauce for the short term (3-5 days), you can keep it in an air tight food storage container in the fridge.
For longer term storage, I recommend freezing. Choose a freezer safe food storage container like a plastic deli container, ziploc bag or freezer safe glass container and place in the freezer. If kept frozen in a deep freezer, this sauce will last 6-12 months!
To use, take out the container of sauce and let thaw in the fridge overnight. Use as desired.
What Is The Shelf Life of Homemade Orange Chicken Sauce?
As with many homemade foods, the shelf life is quite short. When making this sauce, it’s recommended storing in the fridge when not using and enjoying it within 3-5 days of preparing. If you need it to last longer, I suggest freezing it.
What Do I Serve With Homemade Orange Chicken Sauce?
Orange chicken is, of course, best served over white rice. That is the most classic option in which this dish is usually served. If you prefer a different starch option, you could also serve it with cooked quinoa, brown or fried rice.
If you’re looking for a different way to use orange chicken sauce, you could also use it as a wing sauce or over thinly sliced cooked beef.
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to know! Tag @MissysHomestead on Instagram or comment below.
Quick and Delicious Orange Chicken Sauce
Equipment
- A medium bowl or storage Jar with an airtight lid
- A whisk or fork
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Soy Sauce I like to use Shoyu, a traditionally fermented soy sauce
- ¼ cup White Vinegar
- ½ cup fresh Orange juice from about 2 medium oranges
- 2-3 TBSP Orange zest from about 2 oranges
- 3 TBSP Cane Sugar
- 2 TBSP Molasses
- 2 pinches Red Pepper Flakes
- 3 tsp Freshly Grated Ginger
- 1 TBSP Freshly Minced Garlic
- ⅛ tsp fine Black Pepper
- 3 TBSP Cornstarch or Arrowroot Powder
Instructions
- Measure all ingredients into your storage container and mix well with a whisk or fork.
- Secure your airtight lid and store in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
- If you don’t want to make a fresh batch every time you make orange chicken, you can make multiple batches and store some in the freezer for later.
- To use, add sauce to 2 pounds of chicken that has been fully cooked. Add the sauce over the chicken and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens and becomes bubbly. Serve over rice and your choice of vegetable.
