Ground Orange Chicken Recipe

Introduction

This Ground Orange Chicken recipe offers a quick and flavorful twist on a classic favorite. With tender ground chicken coated in a tangy, sweet orange sauce, it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner that satisfies the whole family.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger root
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 tablespoon rice wine
• 2 tablespoons water (for sauce)
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• 4 teaspoons soy sauce
• 5 tablespoons sugar
• 5 tablespoons white vinegar
• Zest of ½ orange
• 3 tablespoons water, divided
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

1. Step 1: Combine the rice wine, 2 tablespoons water, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, white vinegar, and orange zest in a bowl to make the sauce.
2. Step 2: Dissolve 1 tablespoon cornstarch in 1 tablespoon of the remaining water and set aside.
3. Step 3: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken and let it cook without stirring until a good crust forms.
4. Step 4: Break the chicken apart with a spatula and continue cooking for 2–3 minutes until fully cooked.
5. Step 5: Add the minced ginger, garlic, and crushed red pepper to the pan, cooking for about 10 seconds until fragrant.
6. Step 6: Pour in the prepared orange sauce and bring it to a boil.
7. Step 7: Stir in the cornstarch mixture and cook for a few seconds until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh orange zest for the brightest flavor; frozen or dried zest will lack the same punch.
• For a spicier dish, increase the crushed red pepper or add a splash of chili garlic sauce.
• Ground turkey can be substituted for ground chicken for a leaner option.
• Serve over steamed rice or noodles to soak up the delicious sauce.

Storage

Store leftover Ground Orange Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a pan over medium heat or microwaved until warmed through, adding a splash of water if the sauce thickens too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce separately and combine them when ready to serve. It reheats well and retains its flavor.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

To make it gluten-free, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce instead of regular soy sauce.

Ground Orange Chicken Recipe

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 80 reviews

This Ground Orange Chicken recipe is a quick and flavorful stir-fry featuring ground chicken cooked to a perfect crust, then coated in a tangy and sweet orange sauce enhanced with ginger, garlic, and a touch of heat from crushed red pepper. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this dish balances savory, spicy, and citrusy elements over a simple stovetop cooking method.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Asian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Cooking

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon ginger root, minced
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper

Sauce

• 1 tablespoon rice wine
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• 4 teaspoons soy sauce
• 5 tablespoons sugar
• 5 tablespoons white vinegar
• zest of ½ orange
• 3 tablespoons water, divided
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

1. Make the Sauce: In a bowl, combine the rice wine, 2 tablespoons water, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, white vinegar, and orange zest. Mix well to blend all flavors for the orange sauce base.
2. Prepare the Cornstarch Mixture: Dissolve 1 tablespoon cornstarch in the remaining 1 tablespoon of water. Set this slurry aside; it will be used later to thicken the sauce.
3. Cook the Ground Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken and allow it to cook without stirring until a good crust forms on one side. Then, break the ground chicken apart with a spatula and continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until fully cooked through.
4. Add Aromatics and Spice: Once the chicken is cooked, add the minced ginger, garlic, and crushed red pepper to the pan. Stir and cook for about 10 seconds to release their fragrance without burning.
5. Combine Sauce and Chicken: Pour the prepared orange sauce into the pan with the chicken mixture. Bring the sauce to a boil to meld the flavors and slightly reduce the sauce.
6. Thicken the Sauce: Stir in the cornstarch slurry into the boiling sauce and chicken mixture. Cook for just a few seconds while stirring continuously until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken evenly. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Notes

• For extra texture, garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds before serving.
• You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey for a leaner option.
• Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper to control the spiciness according to your preference.
• Serve over steamed rice or with stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.

Keywords: Ground chicken, orange chicken, easy dinner, chicken stir-fry, orange sauce chicken, quick chicken recipe, weeknight meal