My air fryer orange chicken recipe is just as good as the one you find on the menu of your favorite Chinese restaurant. Better yet, you can whip up this dish from scratch in just about 20 minutes!
The air fryer handles the frying part perfectly, resulting in super crispy and juicy chicken. Moreover, the flavorful orange sauce does an excellent job of elevating the chicken, creating an unforgettable mouthfeel in every bite.
After today’s post, making this crazy delicious dish at home won’t be a dream anymore!
What Exactly Is Air Fryer Orange Chicken?
Orange chicken is a common item in Chinese restaurants in America. It consists of battered and fried chicken pieces coated in a sweet and spicy sauce. While many people believe that the dish originated in China, it’s actually an American-Chinese invention.
Regardless of its true origin, it’s undeniable that orange chicken has become a well-loved dish for many restaurant-goers. You can enjoy this dish on its own or pair it with steaming hot rice for a full-on Asian-style meal.
Which Tools Are Vital to Create Air Fryer Orange Chicken?
Basically, all you need is an air fryer and some essential kitchen tools, such as a high-quality knife and chopping board.
Air Fryer Orange Chicken: Ingredient Essentials
Here are all the ingredients you’ll need. If you have trouble finding any of them, I recommend going to an Asian store or market.
How to Make Orange Chicken Using Air Fryer?
Now that you’ve had all the required tools and ingredients at hand, it’s time to start cooking!
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Cut the 3 pieces of chicken breasts (about 1 pound) into bite-sized pieces.
Season the chicken with:
Mix well and set aside.
Step 2: Air Fry the Chicken
Preheat the air fryer for about 5 minutes. Doing so results in a stabler cooking temperature, which helps the chicken cook more evenly.
Spray a little oil on the air fryer basket. Place the chicken pieces in the basket.
Spray the chicken with cooking oil. Air-fry them at 400 degrees F for 6 minutes.
After 6 minutes, take the chicken out of the air fryer and set it aside.
Step 3: Make the Orange Sauce
Melt some butter in a heated pan. You can also use olive oil instead, but I prefer the taste of butter.
Once the butter is melted, add the minced ginger and stir until fragrant. Next, pour in the orange juice and stir well.
Season the mixture with:
Continue stirring on low heat. Then add the orange zest and give the sauce a good stir.
Lastly, add the fried chicken to the pan and stir for 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Cut the heat and remove the chicken from the pan.
Step 4: Present and Serve
Place your orange chicken on a plate and give it a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. Garnish the chicken with some cilantro and serve it alongside your favorite salad.
Tips for Storing Leftover Orange Chicken
Have some leftovers and don’t know what to do with them? The tips and tricks in this section will help you with that (and more)!
Better-Than-Takeout Orange Chicken Is Waiting For You
Air fryer orange chicken is a tasty, healthier, and convenient alternative to the traditional deep-fried version. The air fryer allows you to enjoy crispy, juicy, and flavorful chicken without the added oil and grease. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you crave a good chicken recipe.
I hope you found today’s post helpful and that it has inspired you to try making classic Chinese takeout at home. If you have tried this recipe or have any tips of your own to share, leave a comment below.
Please don’t forget to like, comment, and share this article with your friends and family. Your support means the world to me. Happy cooking!
Air Fryer Orange Chicken
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Pan
- Knife
- Chopping Board
- Oil Sprayer
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast
- 1.8 ounces cornstarch
- 0.5 cup orange juice
- 0.35 ounces orange zest, minced or grated
- 0.35 grams ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons oyster sauce
- Salad, for serving
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
- Season the chicken with cornstarch, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
- Preheat the air fryer for about 5 minutes. Spray a little oil on the air fryer basket. Place the chicken pieces in the basket. Spray the chicken with cooking oil. Air-fry them at 400 degrees F for 6 minutes.
- After 6 minutes, take the chicken out of the air fryer and set it aside.
- Melt some butter in a heated pan.
- Once the butter is melted, add the minced ginger and stir until fragrant. Pour in the orange juice and stir well.
- Season the mixture with sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and oyster sauce. Continue stirring on low heat. Add the orange zest and give the sauce a good stir.
- Add the fried chicken to the pan and stir for 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Cut the heat and remove the chicken from the pan.
- Garnish the chicken with some cilantro and serve it alongside your favorite salad.
Video
Notes
- The total time is for making 4 servings of orange chicken.
- The best way to store leftovers is to put them in an airtight food container and refrigerate them. Your orange chicken will last for about 3 days.
- You can also freeze the leftovers, but remember to keep the chicken and the sauce in separate containers. The frozen chicken and orange sauce lasts for about 3 months.
- To reheat the chicken, air fry it for 4 minutes at 400 degrees F. Remember to line the basket with parchment paper.
- For frozen chicken, transfer both the chicken and sauce to the fridge and let them thaw overnight first. Then, reheat them as instructed above.
Nutrition
Richie
Content Writer
Expertise
Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Food Styling, Food Photography, Cooking-video Maker, Beverage Evaluation Expert
Education
Saigon Culinary Arts Centre, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Vietnam Australia Vocational School (VAAC), Hanoi, Vietnam
Richie, based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is a dynamic Content Writer with a talent for capturing the essence of culinary art.
Richie specializes in creating visually appealing and tasty content, offering a new angle on Vietnamese and other culinary traditions. With a background in graphic design and a love for food styling and photography, he expertly combines beauty with food narratives, encouraging his audience to discover the culinary world through his imaginative perspective.