Better Than Takeout Crispy Gluten-Free Orange Chicken

Crispy Gluten-Free Orange Chicken — Golden, crispy chicken in a sweet and tangy sauce. After making this recipe dozens of times, I’ve perfected the crispy texture and rich flavor. The trick I discovered is using cornstarch and baking powder for the ultimate crispy coating. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Rhubarb Crisp Recipe with Oat Topping and Crispy Loaded Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon.

What You'll Need for Better Than Takeout Crispy Gluten-Free Orange Chicken

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Optional: Green onions, sliced
• Optional: Sesame seeds
• Optional: Orange slices, for garnish

How to Make Better Than Takeout Crispy Gluten-Free Orange Chicken

1. Step 1: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, combine cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss chicken pieces in the mixture until evenly coated.
2. Step 2: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, combine orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add chicken back to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
4. Step 4: Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and orange slices (if using). Serve hot and enjoy!

Storing & Reheating Better Than Takeout Crispy Gluten-Free Orange Chicken

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The sauce can be made up to 1 day ahead and stored in the fridge. Reheat before adding the chicken.

Freezing Better Than Takeout Crispy Gluten-Free Orange Chicken

Freeze cooked chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to an airtight container for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes, until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, until heated through. Note that the texture may not be as crispy as when freshly cooked.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the cornstarch mixture for up to 1 hour before cooking.
• Best substitution: No substitutions.
• Make-ahead: The sauce can be made up to 1 day ahead and stored in the fridge. Reheat before adding the chicken.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little bit of water. If it's too thin, cook it for a few more minutes until it has thickened.

Better Than Takeout Crispy Gluten-Free Orange Chicken

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

20 mins

⏳

Total

35 mins

🍽

Serves

4 servings

🥗

Diet

Gluten-Free

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

Seasonings

• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Optional Toppings

• Green onions, sliced
• Sesame seeds
• Orange slices, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, combine cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss chicken pieces in the mixture until evenly coated.
2. Step 2: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, combine orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add chicken back to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
4. Step 4: Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and orange slices (if using). Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

• Chef tip: For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the cornstarch mixture for up to 1 hour before cooking.
• Best substitution: No substitutions.
• Make-ahead: The sauce can be made up to 1 day ahead and stored in the fridge. Reheat before adding the chicken.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little bit of water. If it's too thin, cook it for a few more minutes until it has thickened.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to an airtight container for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes.
• Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes, until heated through.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, until heated through. Note that the texture may not be as crispy as when freshly cooked.
• Make ahead: The sauce can be made up to 1 day ahead and stored in the fridge. Reheat before adding the chicken.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 30g
• Fat: 12g
• Carbs: 28g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 1300mg
• Cholesterol: 70mg
• Sat. Fat: 2g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Better Than Takeout Crispy Gluten-Free Orange Chicken FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Better Than Takeout Crispy Gluten-Free Orange Chicken and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!