Our orange sauce is a sweet and tangy sauce that’s perfect for pairing with crispy dishes like orange chicken. The balance of sweetness and acidity makes it a great addition to many chicken recipes. If you’re learning how to make that classic Chinese orange chicken flavor at home, this sweet and tangy orange sauce will give you the taste you love.
This orange sauce always takes me back to cozy nights around the table, sharing a meal with loved ones. The fresh orange adds sweetness, while the soy sauce gives it a rich, savory balance. It’s one of those simple recipes that turns an ordinary dinner into something special.
Make Orange Chicken Recipe with Chinese Orange Sauce
If you’re craving a restaurant-style orange chicken, this recipe is perfect. The Chinese orange sauce gives this dish its signature flavor—a delightful mix of sweet and tangy with a savory kick.
Make frozen chicken nuggets or coat bite-sized chicken pieces in a crispy batter and bake. Toss them in the orange sauce and serve with shrimp, oven-baked cauliflower rice or veggie soup for a perfect meal. It’s quick to make and tastes like your favorite takeout.
Can I Use Cornstarch Slurry to make this Recipe
Yes, you can use a cornstarch slurry in this recipe, but it works differently from xanthan gum. Cornstarch gives a smooth, glossy thickness, while xanthan gum creates a slightly different texture. If you choose cornstarch, mix one tablespoon with water, stir it into the sauce, and let it simmer until it thickens. If you’re already using xanthan gum, you may not need cornstarch, but you can adjust it based on your preferred consistency.
Orange Sauce or Duck Sauce
While orange sauce and duck sauce are both sweet and tangy, they’re not the same. Both are delicious but serve different purposes. The orange sauce is primarily made with orange zest and has a more citrus-forward flavor.
Duck sauce, on the other hand, is a thicker, fruit-based condiment often made with apricots or plums, giving it a milder sweetness. We also have buffalo ranch sauce, BBQ sauce, and enchilada sauce, which you can make for your future dishes.
How to Make the Best Orange Sauce Recipe
Craft the best orange sauce with a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. This sauce is ideal for drizzling over chicken, seafood, or veggies, adding a kick to any dish.
Kitchen Gadgets:
- Hand Blender: This will help you achieve a smooth, silky orange sauce without chunks. It’s also great for blending any extra ingredients directly in the pan.
- Spatula: Perfect for stirring your sauce while it cooks, ensuring nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan. A silicone spatula works best for scraping every sauce out of the saucepan.
- Saucepan: Use a small to medium-sized saucepan to cook your orange sauce. The size depends on how much you’re making, but it should give enough room for stirring.
- Small Bowl: Great for putting ingredients separately before adding them to the sauce.
Ingredients:
- Broth: A savory base that balances the sweetness of the orange sauce. Chicken or vegetable broth works well.
- Rice Vinegar: Adds a tangy kick that complements the citrus flavor. If you don’t have rice vinegar, white vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be a substitute.
- Brown Sugar Substitute: Keeps the sauce sweet while sticking to a clean eating lifestyle. Monk fruit or stevia-based sweeteners are excellent options.
- Soy Sauce: Adds a salty, umami depth to the sauce.
- Zest of One Orange: The bold citrusy flavor comes in here. Avoid the white pith when zesting, as it can be bitter.
- Garlic: Minced fresh garlic adds a layer of savory richness to the sauce. Adjust the quantity based on your preference.
- Sesame Oil: This drizzle gives the sauce a slightly nutty aroma and flavor. A little goes a long way.
- Ginger: Freshly grated ginger gives a warming spice that enhances the orange and soy sauce flavors. Powdered ginger works in a pinch.
- Xanthan Gum: A clean alternative to cornstarch for thickening the sauce. Use sparingly, as it thickens quickly and can become gummy if overused.
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
FULL INSTRUCTIONS WITH STEPS FOR MAKING ORANGE SAUCE RECIPE
First Step: Gather Sauce Ingredients
Before you begin, having everything measured out and ready is important. This way, you can add the ingredients quickly and efficiently. Gather your broth, rice vinegar, brown sugar substitute, soy sauce, zest of orange, garlic, sesame oil, ginger, and xanthan gum in separate bowls.
Second Step: Sauté the Garlic
In a saucepan over medium heat, add a splash of sesame oil. Once the oil is heated, stirring frequently, add the minced garlic and sauté. You want the garlic to soften and become fragrant, but be careful not to burn it.
Third Step: Build the Base Flavor
Add your broth to the pan, followed by a brown sugar substitute. Then, add orange zest and freshly grated ginger. Let these ingredients simmer for 3 minutes so the flavors meld together.
Fourth Step: Add Liquids and Thickener
Add the rice vinegar and soy sauce to the pan, stirring well to combine. Stir everything together and bring to a gentle simmer. Mix the xanthan gum into the mixture, then whisk this into the sauce. Let it cook for a few minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
Fifth Step: Blend Until Smooth
Once the sauce has thickened, remove it from the heat. Use a hand blender to blend everything until smooth and silky. You can transfer the sauce to a regular blender if you don’t have a hand blender. Once blended, your orange sauce is ready to be used.
TRICKS AND TIPS:
- Adjust sweetness to your liking: If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add a little extra brown sugar substitute, orange juice or a splash of honey. You can always adjust the flavor balance as you go.
- Add a kick: If you like your sauce with some heat, add some chili flakes or a dash of sriracha for a spicy kick.
- Make it smoother: For a softer texture, blend the sauce for a little longer to remove small pieces of garlic or ginger.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What to Serve With This Sweet and Sour Sauce?
Sweet and sour sauce pairs wonderfully with crispy popcorn chicken, pork fillet, or fried dill pickles. It’s also great for dipping spring rolls, dumplings, or vegetables. For a complete meal, serve it alongside riced cauliflower or cream cheese sausage balls.
How Do I Store Orange Sauce Made for Orange Chicken?
Just like our Asian BBQ Sauce, to store your homemade orange sauce, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator, which will stay fresh for up to one week. When you’re ready to use it again, reheat it on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to ensure it doesn’t burn.
Yes, you can freeze homemade orange sauce. Let the sauce cool down completely before transferring it to an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag. It will stay good in the freezer for up to three months. When ready to use it, thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat it gently on the stove.
More Clean Eating Recipes
Get ready to explore a variety of flavorful dishes that will fit seamlessly into your clean eating lifestyle. Try our crack chicken casserole enriched with broccoli, bacon, and ranch. It is a great one-pot meal for the whole family to enjoy.
The recipe for almond meal will show you how easy it is to make almond meal at home using only almonds. Learn to make lavender tea using fresh flowers with a calming effect and delicious flavor. This lavender tea recipe is perfect for clean eating.
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Orange Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons Broth
- 3 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar Substitute
- 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Orange Zest finely grated
- 3 Cloves Garlic minced
- 2 Tablespoons Sesame Oil
- 1/4 teaspoon Ginger finely grated or 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger, adjusted to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon Xanthan Gum
Video
Instructions
- Before you begin, having everything measured out and ready is important. This way, you can add the ingredients quickly and efficiently. Gather your broth, rice vinegar, brown sugar substitute, soy sauce, zest of orange, garlic, sesame oil, ginger, and xanthan gum in separate bowls.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, add a splash of sesame oil. Once the oil is heated, stirring frequently, add the minced garlic and sauté. You want the garlic to soften and become fragrant, but be careful not to burn it.
- Add your broth to the pan, followed by a brown sugar substitute. Then, add orange zest and freshly grated ginger. Let these ingredients simmer for 3 minutes so the flavors meld together.
- Add the rice vinegar and soy sauce to the pan, stirring well to combine. Stir everything together and bring to a gentle simmer. Mix the xanthan gum into the mixture, then whisk this into the sauce. Let it cook for a few minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Once the sauce has thickened, remove it from the heat. Use a hand blender to blend everything until smooth and silky. You can transfer the sauce to a regular blender if you don't have a hand blender. Once blended, your orange sauce is ready to be used.
Notes
- Adjust sweetness to your liking: If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add a little extra brown sugar substitute, orange juice or a splash of honey. You can always adjust the flavor balance as you go.
- Add a kick: If you like your sauce with some heat, add some chili flakes or a dash of sriracha for a spicy kick.
- Make it smoother: For a softer texture, blend the sauce for a little longer to remove small pieces of garlic or ginger.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
Add Flavor to Your Cooking
Upgrade every meal with simple yet delicious flavoring options. From herbs to spices, sauces to toppings, these easy ideas will bring out the best flavors in your cooking.
