What is the Sauce on Orange Chicken Made Of?

Orange chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish made with chunks of chicken covered in a sweet and sour orange sauce. The orange sauce is what makes this dish unique and gives it its name. But what are the ingredients in this bright, citrusy sauce?

The main ingredients in orange chicken sauce are:

• Orange juice – Freshly squeezed orange juice provides the bright, sweet orange flavor. Many recipes call for about 1 cup of orange juice.

• Soy sauce: Soy sauce adds umami and a spicy, salty taste. About 2-3 tablespoons of soy sauce is typical.

• Rice vinegar: Rice vinegar adds a sour taste and helps balance out the sweetness. Around 1/4 cup is commonly used.

• Orange zest: Orange zest that has just been grated adds a lot of orange oil and makes the orange flavor stronger. Zest from 1 orange is standard.

• Garlic – Minced garlic provides aromatic flavor. Recipes generally call for 2-4 cloves.

• Ginger – Grated ginger adds a little spicy kick and rounds out the sauce. Around 1-2 tablespoons is typical.

• Brown sugar – Brown sugar enhances the sweetness and creates a slight caramel flavor. Usually 1/4 to 1/2 cup brown sugar is used.

• Cornstarch – A cornstarch slurry thickens the sauce so it nicely coats the chicken. 1-2 tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in water is normal.

• Optional extras – Many recipes also include extras like sesame oil, chili oil, Shaoxing wine, chicken stock, etc.

The basic process for making orange chicken sauce is:

1. Mix the orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar, orange zest, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and any other liquid flavorings in a saucepan.

2. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.

3. Make a slurry by dissolving the cornstarch in a bit of water. Gradually whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce.

4. Cook until the sauce thickens to a syrupy consistency that coats the back of a spoon.

5. Toss the cooked chicken pieces in the finished thickened orange sauce until coated.

6. Optionally garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, or red pepper flakes.

The balance of sweet and sour is really important for orange chicken sauce. The orange juice, brown sugar, and orange zest provide sweetness, while the vinegar and soy sauce contribute sour and salty flavors. Adjusting these components lets you customize the flavor profile.

You can use both fresh oranges and jarred orange marmalade to make the sauce. Fresh orange juice and zest provide the brightest, freshest orange flavor. But orange marmalade offers convenience for a quick weeknight dinner.

Store-bought orange sauce packets are also an option, but homemade sauce is fresher and lets you control the ingredients. Preparing your own orange chicken sauce just takes about 10 minutes of hands-on time.

The finished orange chicken sauce should have a glistening, syrup-like texture that heavily coats each piece of chicken. If the sauce is too thin, make a slurry with more cornstarch. Too thick, add a splash of water.

While orange chicken is typically made with boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, you can use this tasty orange sauce to coat other proteins too. Orange shrimp, orange tofu, and orange beef or pork all work well.

You can also punch up the flavor and texture of the sauce itself. Try adding red chili flakes, Chinese five-spice powder, grated fresh ginger, orange liqueur, or chopped scallions.

The sweet, tangy orange sauce is truly what defines orange chicken and sets it apart from other Chinese chicken dishes. Mastering a homemade orange sauce recipe lets you create restaurant-quality orange chicken at home anytime.

Summary

• Orange chicken sauce typically contains orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, orange zest, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and cornstarch.

• It has a balance of sweet and sour flavor from the orange and vinegar.

• You can use fresh orange or orange marmalade. Homemade beats store-bought sauce packets.

• Making the sauce takes just 10 minutes of active time to simmer.

• Allow the sauce to thicken to a glossy, coat-able texture.

• The sauce also works great with shrimp, beef, pork, and tofu.

• Customize the flavor with chili flakes, five-spice, ginger, liqueurs, etc.

• Overall, the signature orange sauce is what really makes this dish stand out!