Ingredients

1 egg, beaten

2 skinless chicken breasts

Pinch of ground white pepper

6 heaped tbsp self-raising flour

4 heaped tbsp cornflour

2-3 tbsp vegetable oil

1 orange, sliced then quartered or halved

Shredded iceberg lettuce, to serve

Steamed basmati rice, to serve

Finely chopped spring onions, to serve

2 tsp cornflour (for the sauce)

4 tbsp double-strength orange cordial

Salt, to taste

150ml water (plus up to 50ml more if needed)

Instructions

Step 1: Mix the beaten egg with a pinch of salt and the ground white pepper in a bowl. Cut the chicken breasts in half to create thin fillets, then toss them in the egg mixture to coat well.

Step 2: Combine the self-raising flour, cornflour, and a pinch of salt on a plate. Lift each chicken fillet out of the egg, letting excess drip off, then coat thoroughly in the flour mixture. Set aside on a plate.

Step 3: Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, enough to coat the bottom. Fry the coated chicken fillets for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden. Fry in batches if necessary. Drain the cooked chicken on a wire rack over kitchen paper.

Step 4: For the sauce, mix 2 tsp cornflour with 2 tsp water to make a paste. In a medium saucepan, combine the orange cordial and 150ml water, then whisk in the cornflour paste.

Step 5: Slowly bring the sauce to a boil over low heat, whisking continuously until it becomes translucent and thickens. Adjust by adding up to 50ml more water if too thick, or add extra orange cordial 1 tsp at a time if more intense flavor is desired.

Step 6: Cut the fried chicken fillets into strips about 1.5-2cm wide. Arrange over shredded iceberg lettuce, top with orange pieces, and pour over the sauce.

Step 7: Garnish with finely chopped spring onions and serve with hot steamed basmati rice.

Tips & Variations

Chicken fillets can be fried ahead of time, cooled, and chilled. Reheat in a 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6 oven for 8-10 minutes to crisp up before serving.

Adjust the orange cordial and water ratios in the sauce to balance sweetness and thickness to your preference.

For extra crunch, add chopped toasted cashews or almonds as a garnish.

FAQs

Can I use fresh orange juice instead of orange cordial?

Fresh orange juice can be used but it will produce a less sweet and less concentrated sauce. You may need to add sugar or adjust the cornflour amount to achieve the right sweetness and thickness.

What is the best way to get crispy chicken fillets?

Coating the chicken well in the combined flours and frying in hot oil until golden ensures crispiness. Also, draining on a wire rack rather than paper towels helps keep the coating crispy.