Orange Chicken Recipe Over Sticky Rice

orange chicken and sticky rice recipe

(A healthier takeout classic, ready in a flash.)

All the sticky, sweet, and tangy flavor you crave without the deep-fried guilt.

INGREDIENTS.

For the Orange Chicken

  • 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes

  • ¼ cup cornstarch

  • ½ tsp salt

  • ¼ tsp black pepper

  • 2 tbsp avocado oil or high-heat cooking oil, divided

For the Orange Sauce

  • ½ cup fresh orange juice (from about 2 large oranges)

  • Zest of 1 large orange

  • 3 tbsp coconut aminos or low-sodium soy sauce

  • 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup

  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

  • 1 tsp sesame oil

  • 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)

For the Sticky Rice

  • 1 ½ cups short-grain rice (sushi or Calrose rice)

  • 2 ¼ cups water

  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar

  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup

  • Pinch of salt

For the Garnish

  • Sliced green onions

  • Sesame seeds

  • Red pepper flakes (optional)

How to Make This.

Stovetop  Method:

  1. Start the Rice: In a fine-mesh sieve, rinse the short-grain rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Combine the rinsed rice, water, rice vinegar, honey, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover tightly with a lid, and simmer for exactly 18 minutes. Remove from the heat (do not open the lid) and let it steam for another 10 minutes. This is the secret to perfect sticky rice.

  2. Prepare the Chicken: While the rice cooks, pat the chicken pieces completely dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with the cornstarch, salt, and pepper until each piece is evenly and lightly coated.

  3. Make the Orange Sauce: In a small bowl or a liquid measuring cup, whisk together the fresh orange juice, orange zest, coconut aminos, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil until the honey is dissolved. Set aside.

  4. Sear the Chicken: Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil. Place half the chicken in the skillet in a single layer, ensuring not to crowd the pan. Sear for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy, and cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and repeat with the second batch of chicken.

  5. Finish the Dish: Give the orange sauce mixture a final whisk and pour it into the empty skillet over medium heat. Bring it to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Whisk in the cornstarch slurry and continue to simmer for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce becomes glossy and thickens to a syrup-like consistency.

  6. Combine & Coat: Return all the cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss to coat every piece generously in the sticky orange sauce. Cook for another 30 seconds just to ensure everything is heated through.

  7. Serve: Fluff the sticky rice with a fork. Divide the rice among bowls and top with the glistening orange chicken. Immediately garnish with a shower of sesame seeds, a tangle of sliced green onions, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a final hit of heat.

Electric Skillet Method:

  1. Prepare the rice: Using the stovetop method described above, or use an electric rice cooker if you have one.

  2. Set your electric skillet: To 375°F (190°C). Prepare the chicken and sauce as in steps 2 and 3 above.

  3. Add: 1 tbsp of oil to the hot skillet. Sear the chicken in a single layer (in two batches, using the remaining oil), turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per batch. Transfer to a plate.

  4. Return the skillet: Temperature to 300°F (150°C). Pour in the sauce and bring it to a simmer. Add the cornstarch slurry and whisk until the sauce thickens into a glaze.

  5. Return the chicken: To the skillet, toss to coat, and serve immediately over the sticky rice with all the garnishes.

Tips.

  • Crisp Without Deep-Frying: Pat the chicken pieces extremely dry before tossing them with cornstarch. Any excess moisture will create steam in the pan and prevent that golden, crispy crust from forming.

  • Sauce Consistency: If your orange sauce isn’t thickening, let it simmer for an extra minute or two. If it becomes too thick, a splash of fresh orange juice or warm water will loosen it right back to a glossy, pourable state.

  • Perfect Sticky Rice Every Time: Do not skip rinsing the rice until the water runs completely clear. That starchy residue is what makes rice gummy instead of perfectly sticky. Once the cooking time is up, let it rest off the heat with the lid on for a full 10 minutes.

  • Protein Swap: This sauce is incredible with pan-seared shrimp, firm tofu cubes, or even salmon. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.

  • Zest First, Juice Second: Always zest your orange before you cut and juice it. It’s a small thing that saves a big headache.

Why Make This?

This orange chicken recipe is the definitive answer to “what’s for dinner?” on a busy night. You’re making a quick dinner meal that’s packed with lean protein, relies on the natural sweetness of real orange juice and honey, and comes together in the speediest, most satisfying way. The moment you taste that perfect balance of a crispy-edged chicken piece coated in the glossy, sweet-tangy, umami-packed sauce, you’ll realize you’ve just made a pantry-to-plate masterpiece that nourishes both body and soul. This is more than a recipe; it’s a delicious upgrade to your weekly routine, proving once and for all that healthy eating never has to be boring.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS.

  1. A quick, crunchy slaw of shredded cabbage and carrots tossed with a splash of rice vinegar and sesame oil.
  2. For a green vegetable element, stir-fried broccoli florets or sautéed bok choy with a clove of garlic for a more subtle, peppery bite.
  3. A final flourish of sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions adds a fresh, bright finish.
  4. Don’t forget a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat to play against the sweet citrus.

More Recipes.

creamy peanut miso udon recipe

Miso Udon Recipe.

butter chicken curry bowl

Butter Chicken Shawarma.

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