orange chicken

As an attempt to start recreating some of Cael's favorite meals, but gluten free, we tried this recipe from Mama Knows Gluten Free.  I did increase the OJ and decrease the vinegar, but it turned out really sweet, but still an acceptable alternative to Trader Joe's. Next time I will make it as below. 

Ingredients 

Chicken:

• 3 4-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch sized pieces
• 4 cups vegetable oil, for frying I like peanut oil for frying.

Dry Coating:

• ½ cup gluten-free all-purpose flour (cup4cup).
• ½ cup cornstarch .
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 large eggs, whisked

Orange Sauce

• 4 tablespoons gluten-free soy sauce 
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup orange juice
• 2 TB rice vinegar (or white vinegar) 
• 4 tablespoons cornstarch
• 4 tablespoons water

Instructions

1. Combine the gluten-free flour, cornstarch, and ground ginger in a large plastic storage bag, (Think Shake and Bake). This is the easiest method, but you could also dredge the chicken pieces in a bowl.
2. Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch size pieces. 
3. Whisk the eggs in a medium-sized bowl. Add chicken pieces to the egg and stir to fully coat the pieces.
4. Place all of the chicken pieces in the plastic storage bag of the gluten-free flour mixture and seal the top of the bag. Keep turning over the bag until the chicken pieces are fully coated. Place in the refrigerator while the oil is heating up.
5. Heat the vegetable oil on medium-high heat in a large skillet or wok, until 350°F.
6. Carefully add the chicken pieces to hot oil and fry for 3-4 minutes, until light golden brown. You may need to cook the chicken in several batches depending on the size of your skillet. Do not crowd the skillet.
7. Remove the chicken pieces from hot oil to drain on a paper towel-lined baking sheet or plate.
8. Either spray your skillet with a nonstick gluten-free cooking spray or put a little oil back into the skillet and set to it medium heat.
9. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, garlic powder, and, ground ginger to the skillet and stir to combine. Add in the orange juice, stirring occasionally, until the sugars dissolved.
10. Add in the gluten-free rice vinegar and gluten-free soy sauce, and stir to combine.
11. Whisk together the cornstarch and water together in a small bowl to make a slurry. Add the cornstarch slurry to the skillet and stir. Cook the sauce until it looks like maple syrup consistency, stirring occasionally.
12. Return the fried chicken pieces to the skillet and stir to evenly coat the chicken with the sauce. Serve and enjoy!