You’re in for a treat if you like the sweet, sour, and slightly spicy taste of orange chicken sauce from your favorite restaurant. This orange sauce recipe is simple to make, doesn’t take long, and tastes better than Thai food. It tastes excellent with crispy chicken, tofu, or stir-fried veggies because it has both a sweet citrus flavor and a spicy depth. The best part? You can make it in just 15 minutes using seven simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
Here is the best orange chicken recipe from Panda Express that you can use to make your own version or a tasty sauce for tofu. It’s easy, tastes great, and is sure to add a pop of flavor to your table. Let’s get started, because for me, making sauces is more than just a recipe. It’s a love! For me, creating sauces is more than just following a recipe.
What is Orange Sauce?
Orange sauce is a tasty citrus-based sauce that mixes the sweet and sour flavors of oranges with salty spices. Unlike traditional Chinese sauces, this recipe balances zesty orange notes with a hint of umami, making it perfect for dishes like orange chicken, tofu, or stir-fries. Making it yourself lets you control the sweetness and spice, making it fresher and more useful than store-bought brands.
Why I Love This Orange Sauce Recipe
- Easy to Make: This orange sauce recipe comes together in just 15 minutes, making it a quick solution for busy weeknights.
- Bursting with Fresh Flavor: The use of real orange juice and zest gives it a bright, tangy taste that stands out from store-bought sauces.
- Versatility: Whether you’re preparing orange chicken stir-fry, crispy tofu, or a dipping sauce for spring rolls, this sauce shines in every dish.
- Customizable Sweetness and Spice: Unlike traditional recipes, you can adjust the sweetness or add chili flakes for a spicy twist that matches your palate.
- Healthier Alternative: With no artificial ingredients or excessive sugar, this homemade orange chicken sauce offers a cleaner, fresher option for your favorite meals
All You’ll Need To start Making this Sweet Orange Sauce
Ingredients
- Fresh Orange Juice (1 cup): The base of the sauce, delivering a natural, zesty sweetness. Freshly squeezed juice works best, but store-bought can be a quick substitute. Add a bit of orange zest for extra flavor.
- Soy Sauce (2 tablespoons): Adds a savory depth to balance the sweetness. Use low-sodium soy sauce for a healthier option, or substitute with tamari for a gluten-free version.
- Sugar (2-3 tablespoons): Enhances the natural sweetness of the orange juice. Brown sugar adds a richer, caramel-like flavor, but white sugar works fine too. Adjust based on your preferred sweetness level.
- Rice Vinegar (1 tablespoon): Provides a tangy kick that complements the orange flavor. If you need to, you can use apple cider vinegar instead.
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Infuses the sauce with a warm, savory undertone. Garlic powder can be used in a pinch, but fresh garlic is more aromatic.
- Cornstarch Slurry (2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water): Thickens the sauce to create a glossy finish. Arrowroot powder is a great alternative for a grain-free option.
- Ginger (1 teaspoon, grated): Adds a subtle spice and aromatic warmth. Fresh ginger is ideal, but ground ginger works for convenience.
These ingredients come together to make a flavorful and versatile orange sauce that’s easy to adjust for any preference or dietary need.
Instruction
Start by preparing the ingredients: Squeeze fresh orange juice into a bowl, ensuring there are no seeds. Measure out your soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, and other ingredients. For a bolder flavor, grate fresh ginger and finely mince the garlic. Mixing these ingredients ahead makes the cooking process smooth and quick.
Cook the base: Put the sugar, rice vinegar, ginger, orange juice, and soy sauce in a medium-sized pot. Put the pan on medium-low heat and slowly stir the ingredients together until the sugar is gone.
This step ensures an even blend of flavors and prevents the sugar from sticking to the pan.
Thicken the sauce: Mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to make a mixture. This will thicken the sauce. Slowly pour the slurry into the saucepan while stirring continuously. After the mixture comes to a slow boil, turn down the heat. Let the sauce simmer for about 2-3 minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Taste and adjust: Once the sauce is thickened, taste it to check the balance of sweetness, tanginess, and saltiness. Adjust as needed by adding a little more sugar, vinegar, or soy sauce. For a spicier kick, you can sprinkle in red pepper flakes.
Cool and serve: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the sauce cool slightly. Transfer it to a clean jar or container. This versatile sauce is ready to be drizzled over chicken, tofu, or stir-fried vegetables!
Nutrition Information:
Calories: 45kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 0.5g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Sodium: 150mg | Potassium: 65mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 80IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Chinese-Inspired
Expert Tips
- Balance Flavors: Try it out as you cook! If the sauce is too sour, add a little more sugar. As an extra kick, add orange zest.
- Don’t Overcook:
- Substitutions Made Easy: Slowly cook the sauce so that the sugars don’t burn and make it taste bitter. For a smooth texture, stir it often.
- Make It Spicy: For a gluten-free choice, use tamari instead of soy sauce. If you need to, you can also use apple cider vinegar instead of rice vinegar.
- Double the Recipe: Make a big batch of this sauce so you have it on hand for quick meals. For ease of use, store extra sauce in small amounts.
- Storage: Put your orange sauce in a jar that won’t let air in. It will last up to a week in the fridge. To keep its silky smoothness, slowly heat it again.
- Freezing: Let it cool all the way down before putting it in freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays to freeze. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge, and then slowly heat it up to get the consistency back.
Creative Ways to Use Orange Sauce
- Toss with Crispy Chicken: Coat fried chicken pieces with orange sauce for a restaurant-style orange chicken recipe at home.
- Drizzle Over Roasted Vegetables: Add a citrusy kick to roasted broccoli, carrots, or Brussels sprouts for a flavorful side dish.
- Orange Tofu: Toss crispy tofu cubes in orange sauce for a vegetarian twist that’s perfect for meal prep.
- Glaze for Seafood: Use it as a glaze for baked salmon or shrimp skewers to infuse them with tangy-sweet goodness.
- Stir-Fry Sauce: Mix the sauce with stir-fried vegetables, chicken, or noodles for an easy weeknight dinner.
- Dipping Sauce: Serve it as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, egg rolls, or even crispy wontons for an irresistible appetizer.
More Dessert Sauce
FAQs About Orange Sauce
1. Is orange sauce the same as sweet and sour?
No, orange sauce is tangier and has a strong citrus flavor, while sweet and sour sauce balances a more generic sweetness with tanginess.
2. What is the orange Chinese sauce called?
The orange Chinese sauce used in dishes like orange chicken is often called “orange glaze” or simply “orange sauce,” known for its sweet, tangy, and savory balance.
3. What does Chinese orange sauce taste like?
Chinese orange sauce has a sweet, tangy, and slightly savory flavor, with bright citrus notes and a touch of umami from soy sauce.
4. Can I use orange sauce for tofu?
Yes, orange sauce is perfect for tofu! Toss crispy tofu cubes in the sauce for a flavorful, plant-based dish.
5. How do I thicken orange sauce?
Use a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) and stir it into the simmering sauce to achieve a thick, glossy consistency.
Recipe Card – Orange Sauce
Ingredients
- Fresh Orange Juice 1 cup: The base of the sauce, delivering a natural, zesty sweetness. Freshly squeezed juice works best, but store-bought can be a quick substitute. Add a bit of orange zest for extra flavor.
- Soy Sauce 2 tablespoons: Adds a savory depth to balance the sweetness. Use low-sodium soy sauce for a healthier option, or substitute with tamari for a gluten-free version.
- Sugar 2-3 tablespoons: Enhances the natural sweetness of the orange juice. Brown sugar adds a richer, caramel-like flavor, but white sugar works fine too. Adjust based on your preferred sweetness level.
- Rice Vinegar 1 tablespoon: Provides a tangy kick that complements the orange flavor. If you need to, you can use apple cider vinegar instead.
- Garlic 2 cloves, minced: Infuses the sauce with a warm, savory undertone. Garlic powder can be used in a pinch, but fresh garlic is more aromatic.
- Cornstarch Slurry 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water: Thickens the sauce to create a glossy finish. Arrowroot powder is a great alternative for a grain-free option.
- Ginger 1 teaspoon, grated: Adds a subtle spice and aromatic warmth. Fresh ginger is ideal, but ground ginger works for convenience.
Instructions
- Start by preparing the ingredients: Squeeze fresh orange juice into a bowl, ensuring there are no seeds. Measure out your soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, and other ingredients. For a bolder flavor, grate fresh ginger and finely mince the garlic. Mixing these ingredients ahead makes the cooking process smooth and quick.
- Cook the base: Put the sugar, rice vinegar, ginger, orange juice, and soy sauce in a medium-sized pot. Put the pan on medium-low heat and slowly stir the ingredients together until the sugar is gone.
- This step ensures an even blend of flavors and prevents the sugar from sticking to the pan.
- Thicken the sauce: Mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to make a mixture. This will thicken the sauce. Slowly pour the slurry into the saucepan while stirring continuously. After the mixture comes to a slow boil, turn down the heat. Let the sauce simmer for about 2-3 minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust: Once the sauce is thickened, taste it to check the balance of sweetness, tanginess, and saltiness. Adjust as needed by adding a little more sugar, vinegar, or soy sauce. For a spicier kick, you can sprinkle in red pepper flakes.
- Cool and serve: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the sauce cool slightly. Transfer it to a clean jar or container. This versatile sauce is ready to be drizzled over chicken, tofu, or stir-fried vegetables!
Video
Notes
- Balance Flavors: Try it out as you cook! If the sauce is too sour, add a little more sugar. As an extra kick, add orange zest.
- Don’t Overcook:
- Substitutions Made Easy: Slowly cook the sauce so that the sugars don’t burn and make it taste bitter. For a smooth texture, stir it often.
- Make It Spicy: For a gluten-free choice, use tamari instead of soy sauce. If you need to, you can also use apple cider vinegar instead of rice vinegar.
- Double the Recipe: Make a big batch of this sauce so you have it on hand for quick meals. For ease of use, store extra sauce in small amounts.
- Storage: Put your orange sauce in a jar that won’t let air in. It will last up to a week in the fridge. To keep its silky smoothness, slowly heat it again.
- Freezing: Let it cool all the way down before putting it in freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays to freeze. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge, and then slowly heat it up to get the consistency back.
Nutrition Information:
Calories: 45kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 0.5g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Sodium: 150mg | Potassium: 65mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 80IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 0.1mgDid you make this recipe?
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