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Flavorful Orange Chicken Recipe Easy Crispy Sesame Seeds Dinner

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A quick and easy orange chicken recipe featuring juicy chicken thighs coated in a bright, tangy orange sauce and topped with crispy toasted sesame seeds for a satisfying crunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 large fresh orange (juice and zest)
  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons raw honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
  • 3 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 stalks green onions, sliced thin (optional)
  • Red pepper flakes or sriracha (optional for heat)

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, combine chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Toss well to coat evenly. Let sit for 10 minutes.
  2. Heat a small dry skillet over medium heat. Add sesame seeds and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Zest the orange, then juice it into a separate bowl. Add remaining 2 tablespoons soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using. Whisk until smooth and adjust sweetness or tang if needed.
  4. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken in a single layer (cook in batches if needed). Cook without moving for about 3 minutes until golden and crispy on the bottom. Flip and cook another 2-3 minutes until cooked through and crusty. Remove chicken to a plate.
  5. Lower heat to medium. Pour prepared orange sauce into the pan. Let simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Return cooked chicken to the pan with sauce. Toss gently to coat and warm through for 1-2 minutes.
  7. Transfer orange chicken to a serving dish. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions on top. Serve immediately with steamed rice or preferred sides.

Notes

Toast sesame seeds separately to keep them crunchy. Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken to ensure crispiness. Adjust honey and vinegar to balance sauce sweetness and tang. Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of water or orange juice to loosen sauce. Store toasted sesame seeds separately to maintain crunch.

Nutrition

Keywords: orange chicken, crispy sesame seeds, quick dinner, easy recipe, chicken thighs, stir-fry, healthy orange chicken

Find it online: https://evabake.com/flavorful-orange-chicken-recipe-easy-crispy-sesame-seeds-dinner/