Description
Crispy and flavorful, this Air Fryer Orange Chicken is a healthier takeout alternative. Made with fresh citrus and minimal oil, it’s ready in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 egg, beaten
- Cooking spray or a light brush of oil
For the Orange Sauce:
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (about 1 large orange)
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey (or brown sugar)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Garnishes (Optional):
- Sesame seeds
- Sliced green onions
- Extra orange zest
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
- In a bowl, mix the cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Dip each chicken piece into the beaten egg, then coat evenly in the cornstarch mixture. Shake off any excess.
Step 2: Air Fry the Chicken
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer, ensuring they don’t touch.
- Air fry for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and air fry for another 3-5 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
Step 3: Make the Orange Sauce
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the orange juice, zest, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and continue to cook until the sauce thickens (about 1-2 minutes). Remove from heat.
Step 4: Coat the Chicken
- Transfer the crispy chicken to a large bowl.
- Pour the orange sauce over the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
- Garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, and extra orange zest if desired.
- Serve over rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables.
Notes
- Spicier Version – Add more red pepper flakes or a teaspoon of Sriracha to the sauce.
- Gluten-Free Option – Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
- Keto-Friendly – Replace cornstarch with almond flour and swap honey for a sugar-free sweetener.
- Extra Crispy – Double-coat the chicken by dipping it in egg and cornstarch a second time before air frying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: air fryer
- Cuisine: Asian, Chinese-American
Keywords: Air Fryer Orange Chicken, Crispy Orange Chicken, Healthy Orange Chicken, Quick Asian Recipes, Homemade Takeout