The Cheesecake Factory Orange Chicken Recipe

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Sometimes, I feel like I live under a rock because this The Cheesecake Factory Orange Chicken recipe has been out in the open forever, and I have just gotten my hands on it. When I first tried it, it took my breath away with the first bite, and I knew I had to try making it at home.

Cheesecake Factory Copycat Orange Chicken Recipe

Originally from Hunan Province in China, this dish has become quite popular internationally. Ever since then, we have seen so many orange chicken recipes online. But The Cheesecake Factory Orange Chicken has its own distinct sweet-and-chili flavor, which leaves me wanting more.

The reason why I love this dish so much is that it is made with boneless chicken. It is golden and crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Moreover, it comes drenched in orange zesty sauce that’s absolutely delicious.

Therefore, after having it for the first time, I was adamant about adding this dish to my meals. However, visiting The Cheesecake Factory all the time wasn’t the solution. Therefore, I searched for its copycat recipe and mastered it after a few trials.

The beauty of this recipe is that your homemade version of The Cheesecake Factory Orange Chicken can be as sweet, spicy, and tangy as you like. What’s even better is that the sauce can be made and stored in advance, allowing you to make this any day you want.

So, if you are a big fan of The Cheesecake Factory’s Orange Chicken like me, try this recipe at home. I’m sure your friends and family will be waiting at the dinner table with their spoons and forks, ready to devour it all.

What's In The Post

Equipments Required

2 Medium Bowls: I like to use two medium bowls. One is for beating the eggs, and the other is for the flour.
Whisk: To combine all the ingredients well, I like to use a whisk.
Grater: I grate oranges to get fresh, pulpy orange zest with this.
Tongs: I prefer using tongs to turn my chicken while they are frying.
Small Bowl: I use a small bowl to mix corn flour and make a slurry for the chicken.
Plate: I like to plate my chicken on a fancy plate, but you can also use a bowl.
Saucepan: I recommend using a non-stick saucepan to cook the sauce.
Fryer: I use my fryer to deep fry all the chicken.

The Cheesecake Factory Orange Chicken Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: The ingredients in this recipe can serve up to 4 people. You can make adjustments and changes as necessary.

4 Chicken Breast: You can go for boneless skinless chicken thighs, or even turkey tenderloins as an alternative. While they taste a little different, the results are still super yummy.
2-3 Cups Vegetable oil: I also like to use olive oil for this recipe.

Orange Chicken Sauce

1 Cup Brown Sugar
¾ Cup Orange Juice: I prefer using fresh orange juice, but you can also use canned orange juice for this recipe.
¼ Cup Chicken Broth
2 Tablespoons Low Sodium Soy Sauce
2 Tablespoons Rice Wine Vinegar: I am not always stocked up on rice wine vinegar, so I use apple cider vinegar as a substitute.
2 Tablespoons lemon juice: When I can’t find lemon juice, I use white vinegar for this recipe.
2 Garlic Cloves, minced
1 Teaspoon ginger, grated
½ Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes: When I am out of chili flakes, I use cayenne pepper instead.
Zest From 1 Orange
2 Tablespoons Cornstarch

For Dredging

½ Cup Cornstarch

For Wet Batter

6 Tablespoons Cornstarch
4 Tablespoons Flour: Sometimes I don’t use ordinary flour and use oat flour instead.
7-8 Tablespoons Cold Soda Water
¼ Teaspoon Baking Powder
¼ Teaspoon salt
Prepared rice
Orange Zest and Sliced Onions

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
20 mins	10 mins	30 mins

How To Make The Cheesecake Factory Orange Chicken At Home

Step 1

Start by adding cornflour to the chicken. Coat it well and set it aside.

Step 2

Next, add salt to the flour bowl.

Step 3

Then add water to the bowl.

Step 4

Combine all the ingredients to create a nice batter.

Step 5

Now it’s time to heat the pan over medium heat with some oil.

Step 6

Assemble the bowl with flour-coated chicken and the batter bowl right next to the pan to get ready for the next step.

Step 7

Once the oil is hot, use tongs to place the coated chicken in the oil. I cut my chicken into 1-inch pieces to keep the frying time the same for all.

Step 8

Once they turn golden, take them out of the pan and let them sit on a piece of tissue paper to absorb any excess oil.

Step 9

Now it’s time to make the sauce. Start by heating the pan with some oil until hot, then add chopped ginger.

Step 10

Add chopped garlic to it.

Step 11

Now add chicken stock to it.

Step 12

Next, add soy sauce to the stock.

Step 13

To the mixture, add lemon juice and brown sugar.

Step 14

Finally, it’s time to add in the orange juice and a splash of rice wine vinegar.

Step 15

Season the sauce with salt and black pepper as necessary.

Step 16

Let the sauce come to a boil, then add the cornstarch slurry to the pan.

Step 17

Once the sauce begins to thicken, add chili flakes for a spicy kick.

Step 18

Now it’s time to toss the fried chicken in the pan.

Step 19

Complete the dish by adding orange zest on top.

Step 20

Your Orange Chicken is ready to serve.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

I use a thermometer or drop a bit of the batter into the oil to ensure that the frying oil is at the right temperature. If the batter rises and you see small bubbles in the oil, you can fry your chicken.
Pat the chicken dry before coating, as excess moisture prevents the cornstarch from adhering properly and can result in a less crispy crust.
Avoid adding all the chicken at once. Cooking in batches keeps the oil hot enough to create a crunchy exterior while preventing the chicken from turning greasy.
For deeper flavor, prepare the sauce 15-20 minutes before frying the chicken. Allowing the ingredients to sit together gives the citrus, garlic, and seasonings time to meld into a more cohesive sauce.
Use cold soda water for the batter, and avoid overmixing; a few small lumps are perfectly fine and help maintain an airy texture.

FAQs About The Cheesecake Factory Orange Chicken Recipe

Can this Orange Chicken be made ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this orange chicken ahead of time. However, to keep it fresh and flavorful, store it properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How can you thicken the sauce for making The Cheesecake Factory Orange Chicken at home?

To thicken the sauce simply add cornstarch slurry. Keep boiling the sauce until it reaches the desired consistency.

Can this recipe be made in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook chicken in the air fryer to make it healthier. Oil the pan and toss in the chicken. After 5 minutes, turn them and let them fry for another 5 minutes, and they are ready.

Why is this orange chicken soggy?

Orange chicken can turn soggy if it is not fried at the right temperature or is left in the sauce for more than 1 hour. To prevent this, ensure your chicken is fried in hot oil and toss it in the sauce before serving.

How can the sweetness and tanginess of the sauce be adjusted to your preference?

The best way to determine the sauce’s sweetness and tanginess is to taste it as you go. To match your desired taste, add more sugar for sweetness or more citrus (orange or lemon juice) for tanginess.

Why is the sauce for this orange chicken recipe too thick?

The sauce can become too thick if the quantity of cornstarch added is quite high. To tone it down, you can add broth or water to thin out the sauce.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Although this Orange Chicken recipe is finger-licking good, it is not healthy for daily consumption. High sugar, salt, and carb content are not good for your body.

Calories	1337 kcal
Total Fat	109 g
Saturated Fat	17 g
Cholesterol	1 mg
Sodium	553 mg
Total Carbohydrate	91 g
Dietary Fibers	1 g
Total Sugars	58 g
Protein	3 g
Vitamin A	170 IU
Vitamin C	28 mg
Calcium	79 mg
Iron	1 mg
Potassium	251 mg

Orange chicken is naturally dairy-free, but that does not mean I would recommend eating it every day. On that note, store-bought orange chicken can be a bit unhealthy, but the homemade version, with the recipe variations I share below, can be healthy and suitable for all.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Keto-Friendly: Unfortunately, people following keto diet recipes cannot try this since oranges are a big no-no and the chicken is breaded in flour. But to make this keto-friendly, I replace all-purpose flour with almond or coconut flour, which is low in carbs. I also avoid using orange juice, which is laden with sugar, and use lemon juice or an allose blend instead.
Gluten-Free: When preparing this recipe for my gluten-free friends, I replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour. Since soy sauce contains wheat, I also use tamari sauce, which is totally gluten-free.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

Refrigeration: I like to refrigerate my orange chicken in an airtight container to keep it fresh. This way, it can be enjoyed for 3-4 days.
Freezing: I freeze my orange chicken in freezer-friendly containers or airtight bags for about 2-3 months.

Reheating

Microwave: I use the microwave to quickly reheat my orange chicken. I like to heat it for 3-5 minutes at medium heat, depending on the quantity. I also suggest stirring it at regular intervals to ensure it cooks thoroughly without burning.
Stovetop: When heating it in a pan, I like to add a splash of water to prevent the chicken from overcooking. I stir it occasionally and take it off when it’s hot enough.

What To Serve With This Recipe

In my house, serving this with plain white rice is a must. But there are also days when there is a big gathering, on which I like to have Crispy Rice on the side.

Usually, I am a rice person, but on days I am not, I like to have this with Carbonara Spaghetti on the side. The blend of garlic noodles and orange chicken is quite savory.

When I want to highlight my orange chicken as the main dish, I like to keep the side simple. This can be pita chips, potato chips, or any chips that you desire. But if this sounds unhealthy, then try it out with the classic Caesar Salad to seize the day.

Printable Version

More The Cheesecake Factory Recipes That You Can Try

Copycat Cheesecake Factory Pasta Recipe — The Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta

The Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta

Conclusion

With a kick of chilies and the tangy scent of orange, The Cheesecake Factory Orange Chicken fills up my mind before my tummy. Moreover, it is easy to make and one of the best ways to use stocked oranges. So, why not move on from regular chicken dishes and swipe left on this orange chicken recipe?

I am stoked after trying this, and I love to read other people’s experiences with it. Since I have already shared the secret to making this, don’t forget to tell me how it turned out in the comments below.