Description

This Homemade Orange Chicken Sauce is a tangy and flavorful sauce made from fresh orange juice, tamari, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and a blend of seasonings. It can be quickly cooked on the stovetop to create a rich, glossy sauce perfect for coating crispy fried chicken or other dishes. Bright orange zest and a hint of chili add zest and mild heat, while optional garnishes of green onions and toasted sesame seeds enhance texture and visual appeal.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce Ingredients

¾ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
¼ cup tamari (or soy sauce)
3 Tbsp packed brown sugar (or honey)
2 Tbsp cornstarch (or tapioca starch)
2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
½ tsp ginger paste (or finely minced fresh ginger)
2 tsp rice vinegar
1 tsp orange zest
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
½ tsp salt (to taste)
1 tsp chili sauce (or Sriracha)
Green onions (thinly sliced, optional)
Toasted sesame seeds (optional)

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Instructions

Combine Sauce Ingredients: Whisk together the orange juice, tamari, brown sugar, cornstarch, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, orange zest, toasted sesame oil, salt, and chili sauce in a medium-sized bowl until smooth and fully mixed.
Heat the Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce mixture into a medium-sized saucepan over high heat. Bring it to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Simmer and Thicken: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and continue cooking the sauce while whisking constantly for 1-2 minutes. The sauce will thicken and reduce by almost half, resulting in a glossy, slightly thickened consistency.
Serve or Store: Use the freshly made orange chicken sauce immediately by drizzling it over crispy fried chicken. Alternatively, allow it to cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week.
Optional Garnishes: Before serving, sprinkle thinly sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds over the dish for added flavor and texture.

Notes

Use freshly squeezed orange juice for the best bright flavor.
Tamari provides a gluten-free soy sauce alternative but regular soy sauce works fine.
Adjust sweetness by substituting brown sugar with honey or reducing sugar to taste.
For thicker sauce, add a little more cornstarch slurry, mixing well before heating.
Store any leftover sauce in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
This sauce pairs best with fried chicken but can also be used with tofu or vegetables for a vegetarian twist.
Be cautious with the chili sauce amount to control the spiciness level.