Looking for a delicious and satisfying dinner that's ready in 30 minutes? option? Look no further than orange chicken with rice!
Made with crispy chicken coated in a sweet and tangy orange sauce that tastes great served over fluffy white or brown rice, this meal is the perfect combination of savory and sweet.
This is a classic copycat version for PF Chang's Orange Chicken only I'm using boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs.
Don't stop here! Dive into our collection of Family Favorite Chicken ideas and find your next dinner winner.
Whether you're cooking for a crowd or just looking for something quick and easy for a weeknight dinner, this recipe orange chicken with rice is a crowd-pleaser that won't disappoint.
Looking for more Chicken Recipes? Try my Garlic Chicken Cutlets, Grilled Chicken Kabobs, and my Chicken in Cast Iron Skillet. Yum!
Table of Contents
Recipe Notes
When it comes to choosing between brown and white rice as a side dish for your chicken, there are a few factors to consider.
- Brown rice provides more nutrients and will help you feel fuller longer.
- It also has a lower glycemic index than white rice which will help regulate blood sugar levels.
- However, white rice is a better selection for recipes because it doesn't have that nuttier flavor so often associated with brown rice.
- White rice is a milder and more neutral flavor compared to the chewy texture of brown rice.
- Also, white rice cooks quickly and has a softer texture than brown rice, which makes it a convenient and easy-to-prepare side dish.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
12 inch Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet With Lid
Extra Large Spider Strainer Skimmer Spoon for Frying and Cooking - Set of 3Chopsticks 5 Pairs Dishwasher Safe Fiberglass Chopsticks Set,9.5 Inch Reusable Japanese Chinese Chopsticks , Non-Slip, Easy to Use (colorful ) (9.5 inch, color)7 Pieces Cast Iron Cleaner Set Include Stainless Steel Chainmail Scrubber with Bamboo Dish Scrub Brush Hot Handle Holder 2 Pan Grill Scrapers Kitchen Towel Wall Hook
Ingredients
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- You could use boneless, skinless chicken thighs in place of the chicken breasts. Or try shrimp, pork, or even beef!
- Add your favorite stir fry veggies to the pan after the chicken has cooked.
- Make the sauce spicy by adding chili flakes or hot sauce to your orange sauce to give it a kick of heat.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: In a bowl, whisk the eggs. Add flour and salt to a separate dish. Cover the chicken in egg, then coat with the flour.
Step 2: Using a large pan, heat the oil, then add the chicken pieces. Cook until both sides are golden brown. Remove chicken from the pan and allow it to rest while you prepare the sauce.
Top Tip
Cook the chicken in batches to prevent overcrowding in the pan. This will ensure each piece of chicken is crispy!
Pf Chang's Orange Chicken Sauce
Step 3: Cook sesame oil, minced garlic, and ginger in a small saucepan. Add the orange juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and rice wine vinegar, and cook for a few minutes. Combine 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water. Add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce and whisk until it thickens.
Step 4: Coat the chicken with the sauce. Serve with rice and sliced green onion.
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Storing, Freezing, Thawing and Reheating Tips
Refrigerator: Add your Orange Chicken with Rice to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The chicken won't be as crisp since it'll soak up the sauce.
Freezer: To freeze any leftovers, store them in an airtight container and then in the freezer. The chicken can be frozen for up to a month.
Thawing and Reheating: Defrost in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in a skillet or microwave until heated through.
Top Tips
- Make sure that the chicken is not overcooked or undercooked!
- To achieve this, make sure the chicken pieces are uniform in size and shape.
- Check the cooked chicken with an internal read digital thermometer to make sure it's cooked to 165°F.
Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the plus sign (+) next to each question.
You can prepare the chicken ahead of time and reheat it later for this recipe, but make sure the chicken is cooked to the appropriate temperature of 165°F before storing it in the refrigerator for up to three days before using it with this recipe.
Instead of frying the chicken, you could bake it to reduce the amount of oil used in the recipe. Use natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup instead of the brown sugar. Choose lower-sodium soy sauce in the sauce to reduce the sodium content.
More Recipes to Love
- Check out my other recipe for Italian Chicken Cutlets.
- Or you might enjoy this recipe for Sticky Chicken.
📖 Recipe Card
Orange Chicken with Rice
Ingredients
Method
- In a bowl, whisk the eggs until they are mixed evenly.
- Add the flour and salt to a bowl.
- Dip the chicken cubes in the eggs then coat the pieces with the flour.
- Heat the oil in a large heavy pan. Add the chicken and pan fry until both sides are golden brown; about 5 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the pan and set on a plate while you prepare the sauce.
- In a small saucepan, heat the sesame oil, then add the mince garlic and ginger. Cook for one minute.
- Add orange juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and rice wine vinegar. Allow the mixture to cook for a few more minutes.
- In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and add this mixture to the sauce.
- Keep whisking until the sauce thickens.
- Add the chicken back to the pan and coat it with the sauce.
- Serve with rice.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This recipe first appeared in 2017 as a sponsored post from Conagra Brands. It has bee updated with photos, information, and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them.
Heather says
It's tough finding meals that all of the kids love and won't roll their eyes at. Orange Chicken definitely makes the list of family favorites. Need to nab some of that.
Krystal Butherus says
Gotta love orange chicken! It's an easy dinner idea. I love PF Changs in real life, I should try their meals from the grocery store.
Brandy Ellen says
I love the idea of making this orange chicken, I am pretty sure my family would like it. I am going to try to plan to include it this week.
Kristi says
Yum, I Iove PF chang's orange chicken, I also love their potstickers, actually all their food is good!
Desiree Lopez says
One of my kid's favorite dishes is Orange Chicken. I've never tried PF Chang's recipe before but I bet it's totally yummy!
Alicia says
This looks delicious and easy which is my kind of dinner 🙂 I'll have to get this next time I'm at the store.
Jodi Horsley says
I've made PF Chang's frozen meals several times for the kids and I, we love them. They are very authentic, and great tasting.
Myrah Duque says
These entrees are so good! We buy a bunch and when it gets late for dinner, we grab these and serve with a salad.