Orange chicken is a dish that originated from China. It’s made with chunks of deep-fried chicken, coated in sweet and tangy orange sauce, and served over rice.
The flavors are reminiscent of the Chinese take-out dishes you’ll find at any American mall food court – but it tastes so much better.
This blog post will give you an idea of what to expect when you order orange chicken for yourself…
What is Orange Chicken?
Orange chicken is one of those dishes that originated from China and was brought to America by immigrants who opened restaurants with their regional specialties.
The dish known as “陳皮雞”, literally meaning dried citrus peel chicken, is an interesting and flavorful Chinese staple.
The delicious orange sauce has become very common for this type of fried chicken because it tastes great as well as giving an appealing color to contrast all the deep-fried browning.
There are a variety of ways to make the dish, but one of the most popular is to fry chicken in cornstarch and egg white mixture before frying it again with an orange sauce.
The dish is typically served with white rice and vegetables. It has been popularized by many Chinese restaurants across the country as well as American fast-food chains such as Panda Express and KFC.
What is Similar to Orange Chicken? Is General Tso and Orange Chicken the Same?
The closest dish to orange chicken is General Tso’s chicken.
They’re both flavorful dishes that can be found in Chinese restaurants across the country. Although they have some similarities, there are also key differences between these two delicacies.
However, General Tso’s chicken has a chili sauce base while Orange Chicken has a sweetness coming from its sugar mixed with soy sauce along with various other spices such as orange juice and garlic powder.
This means that if you’re looking for a spicy dish, go with General Tso’s. If you want something sweeter and tangier then order up some orange chicken.
A great place to get both of these dishes in the United States is from Panda Express where they have different specials depending on which dish you choose.
What is the Difference Between Honey Chicken and Orange Chicken?
Both Honey Chicken and Orange Chicken are Asian dishes, but they have some differences. The former has a honey-based sauce, while the latter has an orange-based sauce.
The ingredients in both dishes are similar: chicken, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, rice wine vinegar or sherry vinegar, brown sugar, or white sugar.
Besides the difference in sauce-base, Honey Chicken usually uses dark soy sauce as opposed to light soy sauce; it also includes cilantro and green onions for flavor.
If you’re looking for a sweet, savory dish for dinner, you might want to try Honey Chicken. Orange Chicken is typically a healthier option since it doesn’t use dark soy sauce which has more calories and sodium than light soy sauce;
The orange-based sauce also includes cornstarch to make it thicker while retaining its delicious flavor and tenderness.
What Does Orange Chicken Taste Like? Does Orange Chicken Taste Good?
Back to the main question, many people have different opinions on what taste like, however, the most common opinion seems to be that it is a mix of sweet and savory.
The dish consists of pieces of chicken, battered and fried, with a sweet and tangy sauce made from orange marmalade or orange juice concentrate, soy sauce, rice vinegar, or lemon juice.
The dish is often garnished with scallions or sesame seeds. It’s often served with white rice or fried rice as part of a meal.
The flavor profile varies depending on the regions, but most versions are characterized by a tangy sweetness from the citrus fruit and an aromatic spiciness from ginger or garlic.
The sauce can also vary from being thin to thick-sauced. Whatever your preference is, orange chicken will surely have something for you.
Why is Panda Express Orange Chicken So Good?
The secret to Panda Express Orange Chicken is the chicken. They use dark-meat chicken that is marinated in a sauce consisting of orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.
White chicken breast can easily be overcooked, resulting in a dry, lifeless piece of chicken. Dark meat is also more forgiving when it comes to cooking time.
It often contains more fat than white meat, which is the reason for the juicy goodness. In addition to cooking until it’s crispy on the outside, Panda Express also bakes their chicken so that a light crust forms and locks in all of those flavors before they’re tossed with orange sauce at just-right temperature.
Conclusion
Orange Chicken is a tasty, sweet dish that you should try at least once in your lifetime.
From the tender, juicy chicken to the light crust and sweetness of the orange sauce, it’s a memorable meal that will leave you craving more even after finishing all the portions.
Here’s a great recipe from modernhoney.com to try for your next family dinner.
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