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5.0 from 36 votes

Air Fryer Orange Chicken Meatballs

These homemade orange chicken meatballs come together in less than 20 minutes. This is an easy and healthier twist to the classic Chinese takeout. The seasoned ground chicken is air fried to perfection and then drenched in a zesty sweet and sour orange glaze. It's a kid friendly recipe that the whole family will love.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
17 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 338 kcal
Course: Main Course , Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the Chicken Meatballs
  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • ½ teaspoon grated ginger
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • Cooking oil spray
For the Orange Sauce
  • 3 medium oranges, zested and juiced (plus water to equal 1 cup of liquid)
  • ¼ cup Honey or sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or white vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon grated ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (plus 2 tablespoons water)
  • Pinch of red chili flakes (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Gather and prepare the ingredients by zesting and juicing 3 oranges, mincing the garlic, and grating the ginger.
  2. Make the orange sauce. In a saucepan or small pot, add 1 cup of orange juice plus water, honey (or sugar), vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, salt, ground pepper, and red chili flakes. Heat for 3 minutes.
  3. Thicken the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to form a paste. Add to the orange sauce and whisk together. Continue to cook for 5 minutes, until the mixture begins to thicken. Once the sauce is thickened, remove from the heat and add orange zest.
  4. Season the ground chicken. In a large mixing bowl, mix together ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, ginger, salt, ground pepper, and orange zest. Mix until well incorporated but don't overmix or the chicken will become dense.
  5. Form the meatballs. Using a medium cookie scoop or a spoon, scoop and roll the mixture into 2-tablespoon balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet/air fryer tray. (I recommend greasing your hands with a bit of olive oil to prevent the mixture from sticking.)
  6. Air fry. Spray cooking oil on top of the meatballs. Air fry for about 12 minutes or until the meatballs are browned and cooked through (internal temperature 155-160°F). [Chicken tends to dry out pretty quickly so keep a close eye on it. The meatballs will continue to cook off the heat.]
  7. Serve. Toss the chicken meatballs with the sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • To make this healthy with minimal effort, use whole wheat panko breadcrumbs.
  • To make this healthy with minimal effort, use whole wheat panko breadcrumbs.
  • If you don't mind getting your hands dirty, use your hands to gently mix the meatball ingredients.
  • If you don't mind getting your hands dirty, use your hands to gently mix the meatball ingredients.
  • Do not press down on the meat. To keep the meatballs moist and not too dense, you don't want to work the meat too much.
  • Do not press down on the meat. To keep the meatballs moist and not too dense, you don't want to work the meat too much.
  • Aim for uniform-sized meatballs to ensure even cooking. A cookie scoop or hands lightly coated with oil can help shape them consistently.
  • Aim for uniform-sized meatballs to ensure even cooking. A cookie scoop or hands lightly coated with oil can help shape them consistently.
  • For the sauce, use orange juice or a mixture of orange juice and water. You’ll need 1 cup of liquid.
  • For the sauce, use orange juice or a mixture of orange juice and water. You’ll need 1 cup of liquid.
  • Use a kitchen thermometer to check for doneness. The internal temperature should read 155-160°F.
  • Use a kitchen thermometer to check for doneness. The internal temperature should read 155-160°F.
  • Remember not to overcrowd the air fryer. Leave enough space in between for the air to circulate.
  • Remember not to overcrowd the air fryer. Leave enough space in between for the air to circulate.
  • To hide some veggies that will also add moisture, add some shredded zucchini, spinach, or carrots in there. The kids will never know!
  • To hide some veggies that will also add moisture, add some shredded zucchini, spinach, or carrots in there. The kids will never know!

Nutrition Information

Calories 338kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 38g (13%) Protein 24g (48%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 5g Trans Fat 0.1g Cholesterol 144mg (48%) Sodium 1372mg (57%) Potassium 844mg (24%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 27g (54%) Vitamin A 295IU (6%) Vitamin C 54mg (60%) Calcium 75mg (8%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 338

% Daily Value*

Calories 338kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 38g 13%
Protein 24g 48%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 144mg 48%
Sodium 1372mg 57%
Potassium 844mg 18%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 27g 54%
Vitamin A 295IU 6%
Vitamin C 54mg 60%
Calcium 75mg 8%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.