Ground Orange Chicken Recipe
This Ground Orange Chicken recipe offers a quick and flavorful twist on traditional orange chicken using ground chicken for a leaner, faster-cooking alternative. The dish features a vibrant homemade orange sauce with a perfect balance of sweetness, tanginess, and spice, creating a delicious meal ideal for weeknights.
- Author: Rita
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Chicken and Aromatics
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon ginger root, minced
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Orange 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
Thickening Agent
- 3 tablespoons water, divided
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, combine the rice wine, 2 tablespoons water, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, white vinegar, and orange zest. Stir well to mix all the ingredients thoroughly for the orange sauce.
- Dissolve Cornstarch: In a separate small bowl, dissolve 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in 1 tablespoon of water and set this slurry aside; this will be used later to thicken the sauce.
- Cook the Ground Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken and allow it to cook undisturbed until a crisp crust forms on the bottom before breaking it apart. Continue cooking and breaking the chicken into smaller pieces with a spatula for 2-3 minutes until fully cooked through.
- Add Aromatics: Once the chicken is cooked, add the minced ginger, garlic, and crushed red pepper to the pan. Stir and cook for approximately 10 seconds to release their flavors without burning.
- Add the Orange Sauce: Pour the prepared orange sauce into the pan with the chicken and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to combine all flavors.
- Thicken the Sauce: Slowly stir in the cornstarch mixture, cooking for just a few seconds while stirring continuously until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken nicely. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can adjust the crushed red pepper quantity based on your preferred spice level.
- Use freshly grated orange zest for the best citrus flavor.
- Serve this dish over steamed rice or with stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute soy sauce with tamari sauce.
- Make sure not to overcook the garlic and ginger to avoid bitterness.
Keywords: ground orange chicken, quick orange chicken recipe, easy ground chicken dinner, Asian-inspired chicken, stovetop chicken recipe