Jake Harper
Orange chicken is a popular Chinese dish that is often served with rice or noodles. While there are many types of rice and noodles that can be used, some of the most popular options include fried rice, jasmine rice, and Lo Mein noodles. Fried rice, in particular, is a common choice as it can absorb the extra flavours from the orange chicken sauce, while jasmine rice adds a distinct aromatic element to the dish with its delicate texture and flavour. Lo Mein noodles, on the other hand, provide a crunchy texture that pairs well with the tender chicken.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Side dish |
| Type of Noodles | Lo Mein, Egg Noodles, Ramen, Udon, Zucchini |
| Type of Rice | White, Fried, Brown, Jasmine, Basmati, Long-grain, Cauliflower |
| Other Sides | Bok Choy, Broccoli, French Fries, Spring Rolls, Chinese Walnuts, Cucumber Salad, Baked Potato, Cabbage, Nuts |
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What You'll Learn
Lo mein noodles
To make chicken lo mein, you can start by prepping the vegetables. Julienne carrots and slice onions and cabbage. Cut the chicken into thin strips and set it aside. Heat a wok or pan over high heat and add oil. Sear the vegetables for a couple of minutes until they are charred. Remove the vegetables from the pan and set them aside.
Next, add more oil to the pan and cook the chicken strips until they are cooked through. Remove the chicken and set it aside. Add the cooked noodles to the pan and stir in the sauce, reserved vegetables, and chicken. Toss everything together over high heat until the noodles are browned and glazed with the sauce.
For the lo mein sauce, you can combine ingredients like orange juice, orange zest, rice vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and red chili flakes. Adjust the ingredients to your taste preferences. Lo mein noodles can be served alongside orange chicken or the noodles can be tossed with the chicken and sauce.
There are also recipes for orange chicken lo mein, where the flavors of orange chicken are incorporated into the lo mein dish. This can include using orange juice and zest in the sauce, and adding orange chicken pieces to the noodles. This creates a flavorful and cohesive dish that combines the best of both worlds.
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White rice
When making orange chicken with white rice, it is recommended to cook the rice according to the package instructions before preparing the rest of the dish. This can be done ahead of time, and the cooked rice can be stored in the refrigerator until needed. To make fried rice, a popular pairing with orange chicken, you can add oil, frozen mixed vegetables, soy sauce, and scrambled eggs to your cooked rice.
White long-grain rice, in particular, is a good choice for orange chicken due to its more bland and hearty nature, which complements the strong flavours of the dish. This type of rice is also commonly used by popular Asian-American restaurant chains, such as Panda Express, that serve orange chicken.
While white rice is a great option, there are also other varieties of rice that can be served with orange chicken. These include brown rice, jasmine rice, and cauliflower rice.
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Fried rice
To make fried rice, you will need cooked, chilled rice. It is recommended to use leftover rice that has been stored in the refrigerator as freshly cooked rice will not work well in this recipe. It will result in soggy and sticky clumps. Any kind of white or brown rice will do.
Next, you will need to scramble some eggs. You can use a small pat of butter to scramble the eggs in a large pan, breaking them into small pieces as you go. Then, transfer the eggs to a separate plate and set them aside.
You can then sauté veggies and garlic. Return the pan to the heat and sauté onions, carrots, peas, and garlic until soft and cooked through. You can also add other stir-fry vegetables that you love, such as green onions.
Now, it is time to stir-fry the rice. Turn the burner to high heat and add the chilled rice, soy sauce, and oyster sauce (if using). Stir to combine with the veggies and continue stir-frying the rice, stirring every 15-20 seconds or so for about 3 minutes, or until the rice and veggies start to brown slightly.
Finally, add the scrambled eggs back to the pan and stir them into the fried rice, breaking up any large pieces of egg. You can also add some toasted sesame oil and toss to combine.
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Brown rice
Additionally, brown rice can be used as a base for the orange chicken, especially if you are serving it to picky eaters. Topping the brown rice and veggies with the saucy orange chicken ensures a fulfilling and balanced meal, and the picky eaters might not mind the vegetables as much.
When choosing brown rice to pair with orange chicken, it is important to consider the texture and flavour of the rice. Long-grain varieties like jasmine and basmati have a more distinct flavour and delicate texture compared to long-grain rice, which is somewhat more bland and hearty. The latter is a good option for saucy and flavourful pairings like orange chicken as it can absorb the extra flavours well.
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Zucchini noodles
Orange chicken is a popular dish that is often served with rice or noodles. While rice options include fried rice, jasmine rice, and brown rice, noodles such as lo mein, chow mein, and egg noodles are also popular choices.
To prepare zucchini noodles, you can use a spiralizer, a vegetable peeler, or a simple kitchen knife. If using a spiralizer, simply insert the zucchini and turn the handle to create long, thin noodles. If using a vegetable peeler or knife, carefully peel or slice the zucchini lengthwise into thin strips.
Once you have your zucchini noodles, heat some olive oil or sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add some minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Then, add your zucchini noodles to the skillet and toss them in the seasoned oil. You can also add other vegetables like onions, bell peppers, or spinach at this stage.
For an extra flavour boost, you can create a sauce for your zucchini noodles using the leftover marinade from your orange chicken. Simply add the marinade to the skillet and toss the zucchini noodles until they are coated. If you want a more substantial dish, you can also add cooked tofu or vegan chicken cubes to the zucchini noodles.
Finally, serve your zucchini noodles with your orange chicken. This dish is best served immediately while the zucchini noodles are still al dente. Enjoy the delicious combination of sweet and savoury flavours, along with the nutritional benefits of zucchini noodles!
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Frequently asked questions
Orange chicken is a popular Chinese dish, and as such, one of the best options for pairing this dish is rice. However, you can also serve it with noodles. Here are some options:
- White rice
- Fried rice
- Brown rice
- Jasmine rice
- Cauliflower rice
- Lo Mein noodles
- Egg noodles
- Ramen noodles
If you are looking for alternatives to rice and noodles, you can try:
- Spaghetti squash
- Cucumber salad
- Garden salad
- Baked potato
Some varieties of rice that go well with orange chicken include:
- Long grain white rice
- Jasmine rice
- Basmati rice
Some noodle varieties that go well with orange chicken include:
- Lo Mein noodles
- Chinese egg noodles
- Udon noodles
- Ramen noodles
Here are some tips for making orange chicken with rice or noodles:
- Cook the rice according to the directions on the package before adding the chicken
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces for even cooking
- Adjust the amount of orange zest in the recipe for a milder sauce flavor
- Reserve some of the sauce to place on the rice or double up on the sauce ingredients for extra sauciness
