Orange Sauce

Two glass jars of orange-colored turmeric paste are on a table, accompanied by fresh ginger, an orange, and a small bowl with turmeric powder.

This sweet and tangy orange sauce is made to pair perfectly with crispy chicken dishes. The balance of citrus, sweetness, and acidity gives you that familiar orange chicken flavor at home. It’s a simple sauce that works across many chicken recipes.

Course Sauces and Spices

Cuisine American, Asian, Chinese, International

Keyword chicken recipe, fresh orange, homemade orange sauce, orange, orange chicken, orange chicken recipe, orange sauce, orange zest, sauce, tangy, tangy orange sauce

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Servings Portions

Calories 82kcal

Author Zuzana Paar

Equipment

1 Hand Blender
1 Spatula
1 Saucepan
1 Small Bowl

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

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Measure and set out the broth, rice vinegar, brown sugar substitute, soy sauce, orange zest, garlic, sesame oil, ginger, and xanthan gum. Having everything ready keeps the cooking smooth and fast.
Measure and set out the broth, rice vinegar, brown sugar substitute, soy sauce, orange zest, garlic, sesame oil, ginger, and xanthan gum. Having everything ready keeps the cooking smooth and fast.
Heat sesame oil in a saucepan over medium heat, then add the minced garlic. Stir until fragrant and softened, being careful not to let it brown.
Stir in the rice vinegar and soy sauce, then bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Whisk in the xanthan gum and cook until the sauce thickens to your liking.
Remove from heat and blend the sauce until smooth and silky using a hand blender or regular blender. Once blended, the orange sauce is ready to use.

Video

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id="j17tCq15" upload-date="2025-02-13T08:51:15+00:00" name="Orange Sauce YTV.mp4" description="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." player-type="default" override-embed="default"]

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