A copy-cat Trader Joe’s Chinese dish, Sesame Orange Chicken has fresh orange juice in the sauce, thickened by the cornstarch dredged on the chicken pieces. Enjoy with freshly made sticky rice.
“Sometimes I feel like I’m in prison!” my son declares after he describes the variety of bland tasting fried and frozen foods the school cafeteria has to offer.
Ok, his perspective might be skewed just a smidgin, but I get where he is coming from. He’s offspring from a foodie family. His taste buds are probably a tiny bit more refined than the average college student. Going from mom’s kitchen of homemade “The Bomb” Potpie and Fresh Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes, straight to preservative-laden, cafeteria-style cooking takes a few adjustments… umm, just a few 😉
He continued the conversation explaining that he didn’t have lunch because he lost his student ID card, AND while getting a new one, the dining hall closed, which by the way, wouldn’t re-open until dinner time.
My kid was starving!!
I felt a stab directly to my heart. A quick jab, and although painful, it only lasted for a second or two because I remembered that I sent plenty of snacks after the holiday break. “Have a snack until dinner, I suggested.” “Mom, I ate everything except for the last few bagels, which I tossed because they got moldy!”
For the record, there are plenty of fast-food places on campus, but my son would hate to spend the cash when he has this campus meal plan going on.
We chit-chatted some more, and then he asked, “So what have you been cooking up?” (Knife inserted, now twist, please!)
Really?! You want me to torture you with delectable details while your aching stomach is growling for fuel? What mom would add to their kids’ misery?! I threw him a bone, “Oh, not much. I made meatloaf a few days ago.”
I couldn’t tell him what he has been missing! I couldn’t tell him that I made one of his favorite Chinese dishes, Sesame Orange Chicken.
He doesn’t read my blog, so it’s our secret, ok?!
Sesame Orange Chicken
Ingredients
- Chicken
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut in bite size pieces
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
- 1/3 cup vegetable or canola oil
- Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
- 5 scallions, sliced (save top for garnish)
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 Tablespoon Chili Garlic Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 large orange, juiced
- Hot cooked rice
Instructions
Notes
Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds (pan toasted, if you prefer).
Another care package should be arriving at his dorm in a couple of days 🙂
Recipe from Hye Thyme Cafe
Sandra
We want our kids to eat well! Lol, I’m not alone 🙂
Sandra
Follow your heart or follow your tummy? 😉
Heather @ SugarDish(Me)
Oh my gosh, Sandra! You’re killing me! This looks amazing! I make sesame chicken the same way- with cornstarch breading, but mine isn’t orangey! I’ll be trying this one. And no worries. Your kid will be fine. If nothing else he’ll appreciate your cooking even more!
Sandra
He is fine, and by his self-limited food choices he now eats brown rice! I’ve been trying to get my family to switch over for years. LOL
Karen (Back Road Journal)
One of my favorites, too. It is a good thing you didn’t tell him. Just looking at the photo makes me hungry.
Sandra
Yeah, considering the circumstance, that wouldn’t be so nice 🙂
Norma Chang
You are such a thoughtful Mom. Just had dinner but your chicken is makin me hungry again.
Sandra
Awww, just missing my taste-tester 🙂
katya
I´m sure your son is missing your meals, this recipe is so delicious!!!! 😉
Sandra
He’s definitely missing home cooked meals! 🙂
Kristin @ Dizzy Busy and Hungry!
This looks fantastic! I can see why you didn’t want to rub it in to your son that you had this for dinner, he would probably have started chewing on the phone! 🙂 My family would love this. Pinning and sharing!
Sandra Shaffer
LOL! I know, right? What a meanie I would be 🙂 He’s home for the summer, so it’s all good!
Charity Koenig
I’m so excited to try this recipe…I’m actually looking for a good Trader Joe’s orange chicken copycat that I can make gluten free for a crowd of 60 people!
Can you be a bit more specific on what kind of “chili garlic sauce” you use? Brand, where you can find it, etc.?
Thank you in advance! I love your blog…
Sandra Shaffer
Hi Charity! Oh, you are going to be busy in the kitchen! So glad you will be giving this a try! It’s tasty with so many fresh ingredients. The Chili Garlic Sauce is available at any grocery store in the Asian section. It’s a small 8 ounce jar titled “Chili Garlic Sauce” Made by Huy Fong Foods, Inc. I just found a photo of it on an Amazon link – http://www.amazon.com/Huy-Fong-Vietnamese-Chili-Garlic/dp/B0006SKCVI Good luck with your gathering and happy cooking 🙂
Karen
This sounds great, but 4 lbs of chicken to serve four people? Isn’t that a bit much? I’m not sure my family eats 4lbs of chicken in a week of dinners! Am I missing something?
Sandra Shaffer
Hi Karen! Good eye. It should be 4 each not pounds. I’ll update that. Thank you for inquiring 🙂