Pro Tips

**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**

- Start cooking chicken thighs and legs before adding breast pieces since dark meat takes longer.

- Brown the chicken skin-side down first over medium-high heat until golden and crisp.

- Do not overcrowd the pan when frying chicken — this lowers the oil temperature and makes it soggy.

- Deglaze the pan with a splash of broth or vinegar after sautéing chicken for a quick pan sauce.

Cooking Tips

For maximum flavor, season the chicken at least 30 minutes before cooking — ideally overnight in the refrigerator. This allows the marinade to penetrate beyond the surface. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness: 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the breast, away from the bone.

Ingredient Substitutions

Chicken alternatives: Pork shoulder or boneless thigh meat can substitute for chicken in stews. For lighter fare, extra-firm tofu or seitan works in stir-fries and braises. Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.

Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.

Orange Chicken

Orange Chicken

Metro Manila, International

Orange Chicken — a Filipino chicken dish with local spices and herbs. A comforting meal passed down through generations.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Total: 40 min Medium Serves 7

Instructions

  1. In a container, put-in the flour, salt, and ground black pepper then mix well
  2. Dip the chicken on the beaten egg mixture and place inside the container (where the flour, salt, and pepper are)
  3. Close the container and shake until the chicken is evenly coated with the flour mixture
  4. Deep fry the chicken for about 7 minutes or until the color turns golden brown. Set aside
  5. In a pan, put-in the water, soy sauce, vinegar, and orange juice then bring to a boil
  6. Incorporate the garlic and simmer for 5 minutes
  7. Add the sugar and and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes
  8. Put-in the green onions and cornstarch (diluted in 2 tbsp of water) then mix well
  9. Add the deep-fried chicken on pan and cook until sauce nearly evaporates
  10. Serve hot

Kitchen Tools We Recommend

Cook Orange Chicken the easy way with the right tools. Shop our favorite kitchen essentials on Amazon — from reliable pots and pans to measuring tools that make Filipino cooking simpler.

🔥 Trending on Amazon right now — these products are selling fast. Check out what's climbing the charts.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**
- Start cooking chicken thighs and legs before adding breast pieces since dark meat takes longer.
- Brown the chicken skin-side down first over medium-high heat until golden and crisp.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when frying chicken — this lowers the oil temperature and makes it soggy.
- Deglaze the pan with a splash of broth or vinegar after sautéing chicken for a quick pan sauce.

Cooking Tips

For maximum flavor, season the chicken at least 30 minutes before cooking — ideally overnight in the refrigerator. This allows the marinade to penetrate beyond the surface.
Use a meat thermometer to check doneness: 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the breast, away from the bone.

Substitutions

Chicken alternatives: Pork shoulder or boneless thigh meat can substitute for chicken in stews. For lighter fare, extra-firm tofu or seitan works in stir-fries and braises.
Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.

Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious.
Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.
G

Lola Nena Guerrero

Ilocano & Visayan Regional Specialties

Lola Nena Guerrero is a contributor to the UlamDaily editorial team. Born in Laoag and raised in Cebu, she brings decades of home cooking experience preserving Ilocano and Visayan regional recipes that have been passed down through her family.

Comments (0)

Leave a comment