Gluten Free Classic Orange Chicken

Total time50 min

Prep time25 min

Cook time25 min

Crispy fried chicken thighs get tossed in a glossy, citrusy sauce built from fresh orange juice and zest, garlic, ginger, and a touch of chili heat — it's the sweet-savory, sticky-glazed favorite you'd order at a takeout counter, made right in your own kitchen. The chicken pieces are dredged in a light, airy batter and fried until deeply golden before they meet that vibrant orange glaze, which gets its silky body from a simple cornstarch slurry and a hit of rice vinegar for balance. Every piece stays crackly-crisp on the outside and juicy within, even after it's tossed through the hot sauce. Pile it over steamed rice with a scatter of green onion and sesame seeds, and you've got a takeout-style dinner that works perfectly for a gluten free table. It's proof that this kind of restaurant classic doesn't have to be off-limits — just a great, craveable dinner any night of the week.

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Ingredients

4 servings

For the chicken

1 ½ lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
Heritage Farm Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs Simple Truth Boneless & Skinless Chicken Thighs Signature Farms Bone-In Chicken Thigh Value Pack - 4.5 Lb Simple Truth Organic® Air-Chilled Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs Tyson All Natural Fresh Chicken Thighs
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1 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
½ tsp kosher salt
½ tsp black pepper

For the batter

¾ cup cornstarch
¼ cup all-purpose flour
Chef's tip
Choose a gluten-free baking blend labeled 1:1 or cup-for-cup and use the same amount. Almond and coconut flour won't work the same way.
½ tsp baking powder
½ cup cold water
1 large egg

For frying

2 cups vegetable oil, for frying

For the sauce

1 tbsp vegetable oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
½ tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp orange zest (from about 1 large orange)
½ cup fresh orange juice (from about 2 oranges)
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar
3 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tbsp hoisin sauce
1 tsp cornstarch
2 tbsp water

For serving

2 green onions, thinly sliced (optional)
1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

1
In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with 1 tsp soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat and set aside while you prepare the batter.
2
In a shallow dish, whisk together the cornstarch, flour, and baking powder. Add the cold water and egg, whisking until a smooth, thick batter forms — it should cling to the back of a spoon without running off immediately.

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