pollo a la naranja
/ˌpoʝo a la naˈɾanxa/
The English phrase "orange chicken" is translated into Spanish as pollo a la naranja.
This phrase refers to a dish consisting of fried chicken pieces coated in a sweet and tangy orange-flavored sauce.
What does it mean word for word?
The expression pollo a la naranja literally means "chicken in the style of orange".
How does it change in a sentence?
The prepositional phrase a la naranja is used to indicate that the dish is prepared with or flavored by orange.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌpoʝo a la naˈɾanxa/
Did you know?
- The word naranja entered Spanish via the Arabic word nāranj, which traces its roots back to the Sanskrit word nāraṅga.
- Because pollo a la naranja is a calque of the English 'orange chicken', it is an expression specifically used to describe the Americanized dish rather than a traditional Spanish recipe.
Examples in context
- Me encanta el pollo con salsa de naranja.I love chicken with orange sauce.
- Preparé un delicioso pollo al estilo naranja.I made a delicious orange-style chicken.
- Quiero pedir el pollo a la naranja, por favor.I want to order the orange chicken, please.
- Quiero pedir pollo a la naranja.I want to order orange chicken.
- El pollo a la naranja está muy rico.The orange chicken is very delicious.
- No me gusta el pollo a la naranja.I do not like orange chicken.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are looking at a Chinese restaurant menu.
- DanielElena, ¿qué quieres comer hoy?Elena, what do you want to eat today?
- ElenaTengo ganas de comer pollo a la naranja.I feel like eating orange chicken.
- DanielEsa es una excelente opción.That is an excellent choice.
- ElenaPerfecto, pidamos una porción grande.Perfect, let's order a large portion.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pollo a la naranja, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, la, naranja, pollo, pollo a la naranja, CC BY-SA 4.0.
