Description
Three-ingredient Orange Chicken from China is super simple to whip up when dinner needs a quick flavor boost. Tangy citrus sauce coats crispy chicken pieces that bring restaurant-style comfort right to your kitchen table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 450g (1 lb) chicken (boneless, skinless breasts or thighs)
Sauces:
- 0.75 cup (180 ml) orange marmalade
- 0.75 cup (180 ml) BBQ sauce
Seasonings:
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Grab a mixing bowl and whisk 180ml (¾ cup) orange marmalade with 180ml (¾ cup) BBQ sauce until thoroughly blended. The mixture should look smooth and glossy.
- Place a large skillet on the stovetop and heat to medium-high temperature (375°F). Add a thin layer of cooking oil, approximately 1 tablespoon.
- Drop 450g (1 lb) chicken pieces into the hot skillet. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Allow each piece to sear without constant stirring.
- Cook chicken for precisely 6-7 minutes, flipping occasionally to ensure golden-brown coloration on all sides. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F with a meat thermometer.
- Lower stovetop temperature to medium (350°F). Pour prepared marmalade-BBQ sauce directly over chicken pieces, coating each chunk thoroughly.
- Stir chicken within sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Simmer mixture for 5-6 minutes until sauce caramelizes and transforms into a sticky glaze.
- Remove skillet from heat. Let chicken rest for 2 minutes to absorb final sauce notes. Transfer immediately to serving platter.
- Optional: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon chopped green onions or sesame seeds across the top for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Always use a large, heavy-bottomed skillet to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
- Check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F to guarantee safe, fully cooked meat.
- Select a BBQ sauce with balanced sweetness to complement the orange marmalade without overwhelming the dish.
- For a lower-sugar version, swap traditional marmalade with sugar-free orange preserves and use a reduced-sugar BBQ sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 11-15 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 270 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg