Description
This orange pepper sauce is a tangy, sweet, and spicy glaze that transforms chicken wings into a zesty, restaurant-style dish. Made with fresh orange juice, honey, soy sauce, garlic, and pepper, it’s bold, glossy, and packed with addictive flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh orange juice (strained from 2–3 oranges)
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/4 cup honey (or brown sugar)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (e.g., Crystal’s or Frank’s)
- 2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated (optional)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine orange juice, zest, honey, soy sauce, vinegar, hot sauce, black pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic, and ginger.
- Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced.
- Stir in butter until melted and smooth.
- Whisk in cornstarch slurry and simmer for 2–3 more minutes, until thickened and glossy.
- Remove from heat and toss with freshly cooked chicken wings. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
- For less spice, omit red pepper flakes and use mild hot sauce.
- Add lemon or lime juice for extra citrus brightness.
- Great on shrimp, grilled chicken, or roasted vegetables.
- Reheat gently with a splash of orange juice to loosen the texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
