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Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe

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4.1 from 45 reviews

This Air Fryer Orange Chicken recipe offers a deliciously crispy and tangy take on the classic favorite, cooked quickly without deep frying. Tender chicken pieces are coated in a seasoned flour batter, air fried to golden perfection, and then tossed in a vibrant homemade orange sauce. Served alongside fresh steamed snap peas and white rice, this dish is a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and slightly spicy flavors in a quick 15-minute meal.

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 1 pound (450g) chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • ⅓ cup (42g) all purpose flour
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • Oil spray for coating

Orange Sauce

  • ½ cup (120ml) orange juice
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon grated garlic
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)

For Serving

  • 2 cups (240g) snap peas or other vegetables, steamed
  • Sesame seeds for garnish
  • White rice

Instructions

  1. Prepare and coat the chicken: In a shallow bowl, coat each piece of chicken first in the flour, then dip into the beaten egg, and coat again in the flour. This double coating creates a crispy crust when air fried.
  2. Air fry the chicken: Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, leaving space between each. Lightly spritz the chicken with oil for a golden crust. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown. Cook in batches if necessary.
  3. Make the orange sauce: While the chicken cooks, combine the orange juice, granulated sugar, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, cornstarch, grated garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
  4. Toss chicken in the sauce: Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl and pour the thickened orange sauce over it. Toss gently to coat every piece evenly with the sticky, flavorful sauce.
  5. Serve: Plate the orange chicken garnished with sesame seeds. Serve alongside steamed snap peas and freshly cooked white rice for a balanced and vibrant meal.

Notes

  • To ensure even cooking, do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook chicken in batches if necessary.
  • Spritzing the chicken with oil before air frying helps achieve a crispier crust.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level or omit for no heat.
  • For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
  • Leftover orange chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer or oven for best texture.
  • Author: Madelynn
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: Chinese-American

Find it online: https://allyumcooks.com/air-fryer-orange-chicken-recipe/