Air Fryer Orange Chicken
This Air Fryer Orange Chicken is crispy, tangy, and SO EASY! Perfectly balanced sweet and savory flavors come together in under 30 minutes.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 pound chicken breast chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour or panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger minced
For the Orange Sauce
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon orange marmalade
- 1 large orange juiced and zested
- 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken
- Season the chopped chicken breast with salt and pepper. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces with 1/4 cup soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Marinate for at least 15 minutes.
Coat the Chicken
- In another bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour (or panko bread crumbs) and cornstarch. Remove the marinated chicken from the bowl, letting excess marinade drip off, then toss the chicken in the flour mixture until well-coated.
Cook the Chicken
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
- Place coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
Make the Orange Sauce
- While chicken cooks, in a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/3 cup soy sauce, orange marmalade, juice and zest of one orange, hot sauce, and white vinegar. Stir until marmalade melts and mixture is combined.
- In a small bowl, mix 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water to make a slurry. Add to sauce and stir until thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
Combine and Serve
- Transfer cooked chicken to a large bowl and pour orange sauce over it. Toss gently to coat each piece.
- Serve over steamed rice or quinoa and garnish with sesame seeds or sliced green onions if desired. Enjoy!
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Small Saucepan
Notes
- For juicier chicken, substitute chicken breast with chicken thighs.
- Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free version.
- Swap orange marmalade with honey or maple syrup for a different sweetness.
- Ensure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket for maximum crispiness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days; reheat in air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes to restore crispiness.