5 from 12 votes
Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe
Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe features bite-sized chicken pieces coated in cornstarch for crispiness, cooked in an air fryer, and tossed in a tangy orange sauce made from fresh orange juice, sugar, vinegar, and spices. The sauce is thickened with a cornstarch slurry to coat the chicken evenly. This preparation offers a balance between crispy chicken and a sticky, flavorful glaze without deep frying.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings:
3
Calories:
248 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Chinese, American
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces, or chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Orange Sauce Ingredients
- ½ cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes crushed
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water cold
Optional Garnish
- green onions
- sesame seeds
Instructions
- Set the air fryer to preheat at 350 °F for 5 minutes.
- Put the meat in a bowl and add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch (do not include the cornstarch the in sauce ingredients), salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the pieces thoroughly. If you want the chicken to be extra crispy, add ½ tablespoon of olive oil or spray it with cooking spray.
- Put the meat in the air fryer and cook at 350 °F for 5 minutes.
- While it cooks, make the sauce. Combine the orange juice, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper in a saucepan.
- Cook on medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture just starts to boil. Reduce the heat to low.
- In a shallow bowl, mix the remaining cornstarch with water. Add this cornstarch slurry to the saucepan. Keep stirring, so it doesn't get lumpy. Cook for about 2 more minutes until the sauce thickens. Remove the sauce from the heat.
- After the initial 5 minutes of air frying time is done, flip the chicken pieces over and cook for another 3-5 minutes until it is cooked through and golden brown. Use an instant-read thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of the meat has reached 165 °F.
- Once the chicken is done, add it to the pan with the orange sauce and stir so that the sauce evenly coats the pieces.
- Serve with rice and green onions.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Preheat the air fryer for better crispiness of the chicken.
- If managing cooking and sauce preparation simultaneously is difficult, prepare the sauce before starting the air fryer.
- Always check the internal temperature of the largest chicken pieces to ensure they are fully cooked.
Nutrition Information
Calories
248kcal
(12%)
Carbohydrates
18g
(6%)
Protein
33g
(66%)
Fat
4g
(6%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
97mg
(32%)
Sodium
899mg
(37%)
Potassium
663mg
(14%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
12g
(24%)
Vitamin A
130IU
(3%)
Vitamin C
22mg
(24%)
Calcium
16mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 3 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 248
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 248kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 18g | 6% |
| Protein | 33g | 66% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 97mg | 32% |
| Sodium | 899mg | 37% |
| Potassium | 663mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 12g | 24% |
| Vitamin A | 130IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 22mg | 24% |
| Calcium | 16mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.