Vegan Orange Chicken

Orange chicken is a popular dish commonly found in American Chinese restaurants. It typically consists of bite-sized pieces of chicken that are battered and fried, then coated in a tangy and slightly sweet orange sauce. The vibrant orange color of the sauce comes from a mixture of fresh orange juice, soy sauce, sugar, and vinegar. In my recipe I’m taking a shortcut with orange marmalade. The dish offers a perfect balance of flavors, with the crispy exterior of the chicken contrasting nicely with the sticky and savory orange glaze. Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with steamed rice or vegetables, orange chicken is a classic favorite among many diners seeking a flavorful and satisfying meal.

Too bad for me there are no restaurants around me that sell dishes made with battered and deep fried tofu or vegan chicken pieces. I can get dishes with puffy tofu but it just isn’t the same as that crispy, crunchy nugget experience, so I made it myself! I hope this hits the spot for you as well! For this recipe I used a bag of frozen vegan chicken nuggets. You can of course use any vegan chicken substitute you wish including making your own fried tofu. There is a complete recipe in the free download cookbook available on this blog explaining how to make deep fried tofu nuggets.

Either way you choose to do it is fine. The most important part of this dish is the orange sauce. This is how I do it.

For this recipe you will need the following ingredients:

• 1/2 C orange marmalade

• 1 T soy sauce

• 1 teaspoon of minced garlic

• 1 teaspoon of minced ginger

• 1 C water

• 1 1/2 teaspoons of vinegar

• 1/2 T cornstarch

• 1 T water

Begin by whisking 1 C of water, the orange marmalade, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic and ginger together in a pot over medium heat. Simmer for about 5 minutes allowing the flavors to come together and the sauce to reduce a bit.

Mix the cornstarch and 1 Tablespoon of water together to make a slurry. Add the slurry to the pot and simmer for another few minutes whisking constantly. This will thicken the sauce and cook out the raw cornstarch taste.

Put the cooked vegan chicken in a large bowl with the sauce and stir it gently with a large spoon or spatula until each piece is evenly coated. Plate and garnish with sesame seeds if you wish.