Orange Chicken

YUM!  Need I say more?

 

Time: 1 hour
Serving Size: 8
Note: Heathy version is posted below

Fried Chicken Bites:
4 lbs chicken, cubed
1 1/2 c corn starch
1/2 t salt
1/2 t pepper
2-3 c bread crumbs
4 eggs, well beaten
oil (for frying)

Orange Sauce:
3 c water
1/2 c orage juice
2/3 c rice vinegar
5 T soy sauce
2 T orange zest
2 c brown sugar
1 t minced ginger
1 t garlic
4 T green onion (optional)
1/2 t red pepper flakes (optional)
6 T corn starch
4 T water

Combine corn starch, salt and pepper in one bowl.  Place beaten eggs in a second bowl.  Pour bread crumbs in a third bowl.  Dip chicken in egg mixture, dredge in cornstarch, then again in the eggs, and finally in the bread crumbs, set aside.  Heat pan with vegetable oil on medium to 360 degrees.  Fry chicken in batches until completely cooked.  (2-3 minutes)

In a large saucepan combine 3 c water, orange juice, rice vinegar, and soy sauce.  Blend well over medium heat for a few minutes.  Stir in brown sugar, orange zest, ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes.  Bring to a boil.

Combine 3 T water and cornstarch and mix thoroughly.  Slowly stir cornstarch mixture into sauce until it thickens.  Pour sauce over breaded chicken and garnish with green onions.

* Healthy option:  Prepare chicken by dicing it into bite sized pieces, salting and peppering it, and cooking in a skillet with 2 T oil.  Make sauce and add to chicken.  Less sauce may be needed.