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Sesame Orange Chicken

January 22, 2013 by Sandra Shaffer 19 Comments

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Sesame Orange Chicken, A copy-cat Trader Joe’s Chinese dish, has fresh orange juice in the sauce, thickened by the cornstarch dredged on the chicken pieces. Enjoy with freshly made sticky rice.

Sesame Orange Chicken - The Foodie Affair

Sesame Orange Chicken Recipe

“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!!

Sesame Orange Chicken - The Foodie Affair

Chicken Dinner Idea

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.

Sesame Orange Chicken - The Foodie Affair

He doesn’t read my blog, so it’s our secret, ok?!

Make this meal for yourself. Leftovers are delicious as well. That’s if you happen to have any.

Continue to Content
Yield: 4 Servings

Sesame Orange Chicken

in a blue and white bowl with broccoli.

Homemade orange chicken made with fresh ingredients. This copycat Trader Joe's chicken is a family favorite meal. Perfect dinner idea.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

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

  • Place cornstarch and pepper in a large resealable plastic bag. Add the chicken, a few pieces at a time, and shake to coat.
  • In a medium sized sauce pan, sauté garlic and scallion (white portion) in the oil until fragrant. Watch closely so it doesn't burn.
  • Add the tomato sauce, water, honey, chili garlic sauce, soy sauce and orange juice. Heat to a boil, then reduce it to simmer for 5-6 minutes.
  • To prepare the chicken; in a wok or large sauté pan, on medium-high, heat the oil (sesame/canola combination). Brown the chicken on both sides (approximately 4-5 minutes). Repeat in batches if needed to prevent overcrowding and even cooking of the chicken. Transfer to a paper-towel lined plate.
  • Wipe clean the wok or sauté pan and return the cooked chicken to the pan. Pour the sauce over the chicken and cook until slightly thickened.
  • Serve over white, brown or no rice, and steamed broccoli.
  • Notes

    Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds (pan toasted, if you prefer).

    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    4

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 407Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 828mgCarbohydrates: 60gFiber: 4gSugar: 26gProtein: 12g

    Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.

    Did you make this recipe?

    If you like this recipe, don't forget to leave a review on the blog or share a photo and tag on @thefoodieaffair on Instagram

    © Sandra Shaffer
    Cuisine: Asian / Category: Main Dish

    Another care package should be arriving at his dorm in a couple of days 🙂

    Recipe adapted from Hye Thyme Cafe blog, which is no longer an active site.

    Hugs Sandra Signature

     

    Filed Under: Chicken, Main Dish, Sauces Tagged With: chicken, copy cat Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken, sesame orange chicken

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sandra

      January 23, 2013 at 5:38 am

      We want our kids to eat well! Lol, I’m not alone 🙂

      Reply
    2. Sandra

      January 24, 2013 at 12:54 am

      Follow your heart or follow your tummy? 😉

      Reply
    3. Heather @ SugarDish(Me)

      January 24, 2013 at 12:46 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Sandra

        January 29, 2013 at 5:11 am

        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

        Reply
    4. Karen (Back Road Journal)

      January 27, 2013 at 2:23 pm

      One of my favorites, too. It is a good thing you didn’t tell him. Just looking at the photo makes me hungry.

      Reply
      • Sandra

        January 31, 2013 at 8:03 pm

        Yeah, considering the circumstance, that wouldn’t be so nice 🙂

        Reply
    5. Norma Chang

      January 29, 2013 at 12:30 am

      You are such a thoughtful Mom. Just had dinner but your chicken is makin me hungry again.

      Reply
      • Sandra

        January 29, 2013 at 5:05 am

        Awww, just missing my taste-tester 🙂

        Reply
    6. katya

      January 31, 2013 at 5:05 pm

      I´m sure your son is missing your meals, this recipe is so delicious!!!! 😉

      Reply
      • Sandra

        January 31, 2013 at 7:53 pm

        He’s definitely missing home cooked meals! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Kristin @ Dizzy Busy and Hungry!

      May 28, 2014 at 2:43 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Sandra Shaffer

        May 28, 2014 at 10:04 pm

        LOL! I know, right? What a meanie I would be 🙂 He’s home for the summer, so it’s all good!

        Reply
    8. Charity Koenig

      February 26, 2015 at 8:36 pm

      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…

      Reply
      • Sandra Shaffer

        February 26, 2015 at 9:34 pm

        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 🙂

        Reply
    9. Karen

      August 27, 2016 at 8:47 pm

      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?

      Reply
      • Sandra Shaffer

        August 28, 2016 at 3:02 pm

        Hi Karen! Good eye. It should be 4 each not pounds. I’ll update that. Thank you for inquiring 🙂

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole | The Foodie Affair says:
      May 14, 2014 at 8:59 pm

      […] straight to the same panic mode that I felt when he was living in the dorm 3000 miles away and lost his student ID which was his meal ticket (so glad he’s back in CA). He hasn’t been home since Easter, so I’m certain […]

      Reply
    2. Saturday Sampler 9 « says:
      May 31, 2014 at 4:39 am

      […] Sesame Orange Chicken […]

      Reply
    3. Perfectly Seasoned Sugar Snap Peas - The Foodie Affair says:
      February 18, 2015 at 3:51 pm

      […] This recipe calls for a whole pound of the pods and technically that amount should be enough for four servings, but I could have eaten the whole bowl by myself! Serve with any main dish or try this tasty Sesame Orange Chicken. […]

      Reply

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    Hi! My name is Sandra. I’m a health enthusiast, a recipe tweaker, and a wine sipper!! On my website I share my favorite family dishes… some are healthy low carb recipes, some are sinful, but all are delicious!

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