Go Back
Plate of ground orange chicken served with rice and vegetables

Ground Orange Chicken

A quick and easy weeknight dish that delivers the familiar flavors of orange chicken in a fraction of the time, perfect for busy families.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground chicken Use lean ground chicken for fewer splatters.
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce Use low-sodium if you watch salt.
  • 1/4 cup orange juice Freshly squeezed is best for bright flavor.
  • 2 tablespoons sugar Adjust to taste. Brown sugar adds depth.
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar If you do not have rice vinegar, a mild apple cider vinegar works in a pinch.
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch Thickens the sauce quickly.
  • 1 tablespoon water Use cold water to make a smooth slurry without lumps.
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic gives the best aroma.
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, minced Fresh ginger brightens the sauce.
  • 2 green onions sliced Save a few for garnish.
  • Cooked rice for serving Jasmine or short-grain rice works well.

Method
 

Cooking the Chicken
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground chicken until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Break the meat into small pieces with your spoon for even browning.
Making the Sauce
  1. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, orange juice, sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger.
  2. Taste a little of the mix before adding it to the pan.
Combining
  1. Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken and stir to combine.
  2. Let the sauce bubble gently for one minute.
Thickening the Sauce
  1. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water, then add to the skillet to thicken the sauce.
  2. Stir the slurry again right before adding.
Final Cooking
  1. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce glazes the chicken.
Serving
  1. Serve over cooked rice and garnish with sliced green onions.

Notes

For picky eaters, separate a small portion of plain chicken. Garnish with fresh orange zest for color. Has excellent reheating properties.