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Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe

Make takeout at home with air fryer orange chicken! Crispy chicken bites are tossed with a sweet and sticky orange sauce to create this Chinese American favorite.

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 boneless skinless chicken breast or chicken thighs cut into bite-size pieces
  • 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 crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon cold water
Optional Garnish
  • green onions
  • sesame seeds

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Set the air fryer to preheat at 350 °F for 5 minutes.
  2. 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.
  3. Put the meat in the air fryer and cook at 350 °F for 5 minutes.
  4. While it cooks, make the sauce. Combine the orange juice, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper in a saucepan.
  5. Cook on medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture just starts to boil. Reduce the heat to low.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Once the chicken is done, add it to the pan with the orange sauce and stir so that the sauce evenly coats the pieces.
  9. Serve with rice and green onions.

Notes

  • Preheat the air fryer for the crispiest chicken.
  • If jumping back and forth between making the sauce and air frying seems too confusing, make the sauce first, then air fry the meat.
  • Check the internal temperature of a few of the largest pieces of meat when checking for doneness.
  • Preheat the air fryer for the crispiest chicken.
  • If jumping back and forth between making the sauce and air frying seems too confusing, make the sauce first, then air fry the meat.
  • Check the internal temperature of a few of the largest pieces of meat when checking for doneness.

Nutrition Information

Calories 248kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 18g (6%) Protein 33g (66%) Fat 4g (6%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 97mg (32%) Sodium 899mg (37%) Potassium 663mg (19%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 12g (24%) Vitamin A 130IU (3%) Vitamin C 22mg (24%) Calcium 16mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 3Serving

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.