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Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Close-up of crispy, glazed pieces of Air Fryer Orange Chicken piled on a white plate.
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Make crispy, takeout-style orange chicken quickly using your air fryer. This recipe features a sweet and tangy orange sauce coating.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Cooking spray
  • For the Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup orange juice, fresh or bottled
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (slurry)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
  2. Dip each piece of chicken into the beaten egg, letting excess drip off.
  3. Toss the coated chicken pieces in the flour mixture until fully covered.
  4. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
  5. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if necessary. Do not overcrowd the basket.
  6. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C). Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray halfway through cooking for extra crispness.
  7. While the chicken cooks, prepare the sauce. Combine orange juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and orange zest in a small saucepan.
  8. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  9. Whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
  10. Place the cooked, crispy chicken pieces in a large bowl. Pour the thickened orange sauce over the chicken and toss gently until all pieces are evenly coated.
  11. Serve immediately over rice or with steamed vegetables.

Notes

  • For extra crispy chicken, toss the coated pieces with a light mist of cooking spray before the first air fry cycle.
  • Do not add the sauce until the chicken is fully cooked and crispy; adding it too early will make the coating soggy.
  • If you prefer a spicier sauce, add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture before simmering.

Nutrition

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