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Sichuan Orange Chicken

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on October 29, 2008

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Sichuan Orange Chicken

Ingredients

3 tablespoons hoisin sauce 2 teaspoons orange zest and ¾ cup juice from 3 oranges4 boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 1 ½ pounds), cut crosswise into ¼-inch-thick piecesSalt and pepper 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced thin3 garlic cloves, minced2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 scallions, sliced thin

Before You Begin

Serve over steamed rice or noodles.

Instructions

  1. Whisk hoisin, orange zest, and orange juice in bowl; set aside. Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add half of chicken and cook until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes per side; transfer to plate. Repeat with another tablespoon oil and remaining chicken.
  2. Add remaining tablespoon oil and bell pepper to skillet and cook over medium heat until just softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add hoisin mixture and simmer until sauce has thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add scallions and cooked chicken, along with any accumulated chicken juices, to pan and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.
Sichuan Orange Chicken

Sichuan Orange Chicken

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons orange zest and ¾ cup juice from 3 oranges
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 1 ½ pounds), cut crosswise into ¼-inch-thick pieces
Salt and pepper
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced thin
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 scallions, sliced thin

Ingredients

3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons orange zest and ¾ cup juice from 3 oranges
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 1 ½ pounds), cut crosswise into ¼-inch-thick pieces
Salt and pepper
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced thin
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 scallions, sliced thin

Ingredients

3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons orange zest and ¾ cup juice from 3 oranges
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 1 ½ pounds), cut crosswise into ¼-inch-thick pieces
Salt and pepper
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced thin
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 scallions, sliced thin

Why This Recipe Works

Prepared from soybeans and seasonings, dark, slightly sweet hoisin sauce was an invaluable addition to our orange chicken recipe. For rich orange flavor, we combined orange juice and orange zest. Red bell pepper and scallions provided flavor and textural contrast to the tender chicken breasts. Cooking the chicken in a smoking-hot skillet ensured that it cooked through without drying out.

Before You Begin

Serve over steamed rice or noodles.

Instructions

  1. Whisk hoisin, orange zest, and orange juice in bowl; set aside. Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add half of chicken and cook until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes per side; transfer to plate. Repeat with another tablespoon oil and remaining chicken.
  2. Add remaining tablespoon oil and bell pepper to skillet and cook over medium heat until just softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add hoisin mixture and simmer until sauce has thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add scallions and cooked chicken, along with any accumulated chicken juices, to pan and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.

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