Cheesecake Factory Orange Chicken Recipe

by CookTeen
cheesecake factory orange chicken

Are you a fan of the Cheesecake Factory’s mouthwatering dishes? If so, get ready to embark on a culinary adventure right in the comfort of your own kitchen! Today, we’re unveiling a highly sought-after recipe—the Cheesecake Factory Orange Chicken.

Prepare yourself for an explosion of flavors as this tangy masterpiece takes your taste buds on a journey they won’t soon forget. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or an aspiring chef, this tantalizing recipe will allow you to recreate the magic of the Cheesecake Factory’s renowned orange chicken, bringing restaurant-quality goodness straight to your table.

What is Orange Chicken?

Orange Chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish that was first introduced to the United States in the mid-1970s. It consists of pieces of chicken that are battered and fried, then cooked in a sweet orange sauce with seasonings and served over rice.

The name “orange chicken” comes from the color of the sauce—although it’s not actually made with oranges! Many restaurants use fresh oranges to make orange chicken sauces, but some use canned orange juice.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons orange zest
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust according to your spice preference)
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the orange juice, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, orange zest, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes. Stir until the sugar has dissolved and the ingredients are well combined. This will be the marinade and sauce for the orange chicken.
  2. Place the chicken pieces in a separate bowl or a resealable plastic bag. Pour about 2/3 of the marinade over the chicken, reserving the remaining 1/3 for later. Ensure that all the chicken pieces are coated in the marinade. Cover the bowl or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, allowing the flavors to infuse into the chicken.
  3. In a shallow dish, whisk together the all-purpose flour and cornstarch. This will be the coating for the chicken.
  4. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
  5. Take each marinated chicken piece, allowing any excess marinade to drip off, and dredge it in the flour-cornstarch mixture, making sure it’s evenly coated. Shake off any excess coating.
  6. Carefully place the coated chicken pieces in the hot oil, being cautious to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry them in batches for about 4-5 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove the cooked chicken from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
  7. In a separate saucepan, pour the remaining 1/3 of the marinade and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
  8. Add the fried chicken pieces to the simmering sauce and toss them gently until they are well coated. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
  9. Once done, remove the pan from the heat. Serve the Cheesecake Factory Orange Chicken hot, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Tips

  • For an extra burst of citrus flavor, you can add more orange zest to the marinade or sprinkle some over the cooked chicken before serving.
  • If you prefer a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce to the marinade.
  • To achieve a crispier coating on the chicken, you can double-coat it by dipping the dredged chicken back into the marinade and then back into the flour-cornstarch mixture before frying.
  • Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying the chicken to achieve a crispy exterior. Use a candy or deep-fry thermometer to maintain the oil temperature.
  • If you don’t have a deep skillet or wok, you can use a deep fryer or shallow fry the chicken in a regular skillet, adding enough oil to cover the chicken pieces halfway.

What To Serve With?

Here are some ideas for what to serve with orange chicken:

  1. Steamed Rice: Orange chicken pairs perfectly with steamed white or brown rice. The fluffy texture of the rice helps balance the richness of the chicken and absorbs the flavorful sauce.
  2. Fried Rice: If you want to add more variety to your meal, serving orange chicken with fried rice is a great option. The savory flavors and different textures of the fried rice complement the sweet and tangy chicken.
  3. Stir-Fried Vegetables: A colorful medley of stir-fried vegetables adds freshness, crunch, and nutritional value to the meal. Consider using a mix of bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, snap peas, and baby corn. The vibrant colors also create an appealing visual contrast.
  4. Steamed Vegetables: For a healthier alternative, steamed vegetables such as broccoli, bok choy, snow peas, or green beans are a great choice. They provide a light and refreshing balance to the rich flavors of the chicken.
  5. Asian Slaw: A refreshing and crunchy Asian slaw made with cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, and a tangy dressing can serve as a delicious side dish. The crispness of the slaw complements the tender chicken and provides a contrast of textures.
  6. Egg Rolls or Spring Rolls: Adding egg rolls or spring rolls to your meal can make it more satisfying and complete. These crispy appetizers filled with vegetables, meat, and/or shrimp are great for adding variety and texture to the plate.
  7. Steamed Dumplings: Another tasty addition to the meal is steamed dumplings. Whether you choose vegetable, chicken, or pork dumplings, they offer a delightful contrast in taste and texture to the orange chicken.
  8. Fresh Fruit: To refresh the palate and add a touch of sweetness, a platter of fresh fruit can be served alongside the meal. Sliced oranges, pineapple chunks, and watermelon are excellent choices that complement the citrusy flavors of the chicken.
  9. Fortune Cookies: As a fun and traditional way to end the meal, consider placing fortune cookies on the table. They add a whimsical touch and provide a sweet treat to conclude the dining experience.

Storage

If you’re going to store Orange Chicken, it’s important that you know how long it will last. You don’t want to end up with a bunch of food that has gone bad!

You can freeze the chicken for up to three months without any issues. If you plan on freezing it for longer than that, it’s best to freeze it in smaller portions so that you can use the frozen portions as needed.

If you’re not going to eat all of the Orange Chicken before it goes bad, then make sure that you keep it in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator until ready for use.

Reheat

You can re-heat orange chicken in the oven, on the stovetop, or in a microwave.

To Re-heat Orange Chicken in the Oven

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your chicken on a baking sheet and bake it for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken over and bake for another 10 minutes or until heated through.

To Re-heat Orange Chicken on the Stovetop

Heat a large skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the skillet and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Add your bite-sized pieces of orange chicken and cook them for 3 to 4 minutes per side until they’re warmed through and golden brown on each side.

To Re-heat Orange Chicken in a Microwave

Place your bite-sized pieces of orange chicken on a plate or dish that will fit inside your microwave (or go ahead and place them directly on top of a microwavable heating pad). Heat them for 30 seconds at 50% power; flip them over, then heat an additional 30 seconds at 50% power again.

Health Benefits

Orange Chicken has many health benefits because it contains protein, vitamin C, beta carotene, antioxidants, selenium, copper, zinc, iron and manganese. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron better so that you can stay healthy and avoid anemia. The beta carotene helps prevent cancer cells from growing by reducing inflammation in your body which causes them to spread faster than normal cells would without causing any harm to healthy tissue at all!

It also contains omega 6 fatty acids, which are good for your heart health because they lower cholesterol levels in your bloodstream, which prevents plaque buildup inside arteries leading to heart attacks or strokes later on down the road when we’re older (which means less risk for us too). So eating orange chicken regularly will help prevent heart disease down the road too!

Nutrition facts

  • Calories: 250
  • Carbs: 16g
  • Protein: 12g
  • Fat: 13g

Final Thoughts

This is a recipe for making your own Cheesecake factory Orange Chicken. You should try it out with your friends and family. It will taste very good and you can share it together.

Other Chicken Recipes:

cheesecake factory orange chicken

Cheesecake Factory Orange Chicken

Serves: 4 Prep Time: Cooking Time:
Nutrition facts: 250 calories 13grams fat
Rating: 5.0/5
( 1 voted )

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons orange zest
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust according to your spice preference)
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the orange juice, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, orange zest, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes. Stir until the sugar has dissolved and the ingredients are well combined. This will be the marinade and sauce for the orange chicken.
  2. Place the chicken pieces in a separate bowl or a resealable plastic bag. Pour about 2/3 of the marinade over the chicken, reserving the remaining 1/3 for later. Ensure that all the chicken pieces are coated in the marinade. Cover the bowl or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, allowing the flavors to infuse into the chicken.
  3. In a shallow dish, whisk together the all-purpose flour and cornstarch. This will be the coating for the chicken.
  4. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
  5. Take each marinated chicken piece, allowing any excess marinade to drip off, and dredge it in the flour-cornstarch mixture, making sure it's evenly coated. Shake off any excess coating.
  6. Carefully place the coated chicken pieces in the hot oil, being cautious to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry them in batches for about 4-5 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove the cooked chicken from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
  7. In a separate saucepan, pour the remaining 1/3 of the marinade and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
  8. Add the fried chicken pieces to the simmering sauce and toss them gently until they are well coated. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
  9. Once done, remove the pan from the heat. Serve the Cheesecake Factory Orange Chicken hot, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

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