Sticky Orange Chili Chicken

Imagine tender chicken coated in a glossy, sticky orange chili sauce — sweet, tangy, and perfectly balanced with a touch of heat. 🌶️🍗 This Sticky Orange Chili Chicken is bold, comforting, and insanely delicious. Every bite is juicy, saucy, and full of flavor, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or even a special occasion at home.

Whether served over rice, noodles, or on its own as a finger-licking dish, this recipe is guaranteed to satisfy cravings and impress everyone at the table. 😋

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The Story Behind the Recipe 💬

This recipe was inspired by the bold flavors of my favorite takeout spot — the kind of orange chicken that’s glossy, sticky, and bursting with sweet, tangy, and spicy notes. One rainy evening, craving that perfect balance of sweet and heat, I decided to recreate it at home.

After a few trials, I landed on a sticky, vibrant sauce that clings to every piece of chicken, with just the right zing of chili. It quickly became a weeknight favorite — flavorful, comforting, and ready in under 30 minutes. 🍊✨

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What Makes This Recipe Special? ✨

🍊 Bright, tangy orange flavor – balanced sweetness and acidity.
🌶️ Perfect heat – just enough chili to give it a kick.
🍗 Sticky, glossy coating – clings to juicy chicken for maximum flavor.
⏱️ Quick & easy – ready in about 30 minutes.
🥢 Family-friendly – everyone loves a saucy, bold-flavored chicken dish.

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Ingredients – Fresh, Simple & Full of Flavor 🛒

For the Chicken:

• 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Salt & black pepper – to taste
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

For the Sticky Orange Chili Sauce:

• ½ cup orange juice (fresh or bottled) 🍊
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar 🍯
• 1–2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce (adjust for heat) 🌶️
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (for thickening)

For Garnish:

• Sesame seeds
• Sliced green onions 🌿

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Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions 👩‍🍳

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then toss lightly in cornstarch until evenly coated.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook for 4–5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan.

Step 3: Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, soy sauce, honey, chili garlic sauce, garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar. Pour into the same skillet and bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Thicken the Sauce
Add the cornstarch-water mixture to the sauce and stir constantly until it thickens into a sticky glaze.

Step 5: Coat the Chicken
Return the cooked chicken to the pan and toss to coat evenly in the sticky orange chili sauce.

Step 6: Garnish & Serve
Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve hot over steamed rice, noodles, or enjoy on its own. 😋

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Serving Suggestions – What to Pair It With 🍽️

• 🍚 Steamed jasmine or sticky rice
• 🍜 Stir-fried noodles or lo mein
• 🥦 Steamed broccoli or snap peas for freshness
• 🥢 Lettuce wraps for a fun twist
• 🥤 Sparkling water or citrusy iced tea

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Customization & Variations 🧂

🌶️ Adjust heat: Use more or less chili garlic sauce depending on your spice preference.
🍯 Sweeter sauce: Add a touch more honey for a sticky glaze.
🥬 Add veggies: Bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas stir-fried with the sauce.
🐔 Alternative protein: Shrimp or tofu works beautifully with the sticky orange chili glaze.
🍋 Extra zing: Add a splash of lime juice or zest for brighter flavor.

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Storing & Reheating 🧊

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat to maintain the sauce’s stickiness. Avoid microwaving if possible — it can make the sauce runny.

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Nutritional Snapshot (Per Serving – Approx.) ⚖️

Calories: 320
Protein: 28g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fat: 14g
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 520mg

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Reader Q&A – Common Questions 💭

1. Can I use fresh orange juice?
Yes! Fresh juice gives the brightest, most natural flavor.

2. Can I bake the chicken instead of pan-frying?
Yes! Bake at 400°F for 15–18 minutes, then toss in the sauce.

3. How can I make it less spicy?
Reduce or omit the chili garlic sauce.

4. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Thighs stay juicier and are more forgiving.

5. Can I make it ahead?
Cook the chicken and make the sauce separately, then combine before serving.

6. Can I freeze it?
Yes, freeze the cooked chicken separately from the sauce for best results.

7. Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes! Use tamari instead of soy sauce and cornstarch for thickening.

8. Can I use a different sweetener?
Maple syrup or brown sugar works well in place of honey.

9. Can I add extra vegetables?
Yes! Stir-fried bell peppers, snap peas, or carrots complement this dish perfectly.

10. What’s the best way to serve it?
Over rice, noodles, or even as a fun lettuce wrap for a lighter option.

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Final Thoughts 🌸

This Sticky Orange Chili Chicken is tangy, sweet, a little fiery, and incredibly satisfying. 🍊🌶️ It’s a vibrant, flavor-packed dish that elevates weeknight dinners or casual entertaining.

Golden, sticky chicken coated in a glossy, citrusy chili glaze — every bite is a balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy magic. Serve it hot, pile it over rice or noodles, and enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home. 💛

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🍽️ Tried This Recipe?

If you made this Sticky Orange Chili Chicken, I’d love to hear how it turned out! 💬
👉 Don’t forget to follow @mamacooksdinner on Pinterest for more sweet, spicy, and saucy recipes that will brighten your weeknight dinners!

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