Anti–Shopping Mall Orange Chicken Stir-Fry
I can’t believe malls are still a thing. I mean, I know they’re not as big of a thing as they used to be (thank you, Internet), but who actually enjoys visiting public places with hordes of loud and obnoxious people dressed in what are essentially pajamas with tattered tennis shoes? As someone whose favorite thing in the world is when passengers get shushed in the quiet car, that person is not me. Though I’ll certainly make an exception for “loud and obnoxious” when it comes to orange chicken samples served aggressively on toothpicks. But when even this gets annoying and tiresome and simply not worth the trek to the burbs, here’s a recipe that anyone can make within the confines of their home.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- ¾ cup freshly squeezed orange juice from about 3 oranges
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 scallions sliced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small red onion peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper cored and sliced into ½-inch-thick strips
- 3 cups broccoli florets from 1 head
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into ½-inch-thick strips
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup snow peas strings removed and sliced in half on a bias
- Cooked white or brown rice for serving (optional)
- Toasted sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, orange zest, orange juice, and light brown sugar.
- In a small sauté pan over medium heat, combine the sesame oil, ginger, and garlic.
- Cook until fragrant, 2 minutes.
- Add the red pepper flakes, scallions, rice vinegar, and the soy sauce mixture and bring to a simmer.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the water and cornstarch.
- Pour the cornstarch mixture into the orange sauce, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until thickened, about 3 minutes.
- Remove from the heat.
- In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil.
- Add the onion and the bell pepper.
- Cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the broccoli and cook for 4 minutes, until tender.
- Transfer the vegetables to a large bowl.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in the same skillet, then add the chicken.
- Cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes.
- Add the snow peas, orange sauce, and cooked vegetables.
- Simmer until the snow peas are tender, about 2 minutes.
- Serve over rice, if desired, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Not a fan of chicken? You can substitute many different proteins for it, including beef, pork, or even tofu.
