Since Chef Andy Kao, the senior chef of the Panda Express franchise, introduced the well-known Chinese-American meal in 1987, orange chicken has become a go-to midweek dinner that many people emulate. This air fryer version uses much less oil than the traditional deep- or pan-fried versions while producing the same crispy results (and with the distinctive sticky-sweet orange sauce!). Read on for all the information you need to master this recipe if you’re searching for a quick and simple twist on the traditional:
How to prepare orange chicken for air frying:
We coat our chicken in an egg and flour combination before adding it to our air fryer, just like we do for our baked dish and traditional pan-fried orange chicken. The air fryer cooks orange chicken in just 10 minutes, allowing the cornstarch coating to crisp up and the meat to be well-cooked. The ideal time to prepare the distinctive sticky-sweet orange sauce is while it is cooking.
The sauce
A sauce consisting of orange juice, brown sugar, soy sauce (or tamari if you’re gluten-free), rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes gives the orange chicken a flavorful boost. The sauce should be somewhat thickened after about 10 minutes of cooking it at medium heat.
Serving ideas
Naturally, you should serve this meal over rice or other healthy grains, but if you’re searching for a low-carb alternative to our cauliflower rice, serve it over plain air-fried vegetables instead, allowing them to absorb the additional sauce.
| PREP TIME | 10 mins |
| TOTAL TIME | 40 mins |
| CAL/SERV | 339 |
| YIELDS | 4 – 6 serving(s) |
How To Make Air Fryer Orange Chicken
Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe: Ingredients
- 2 pounds of skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
- olive oil cooking spray
- 1 1/2 cups of orange juice
- 1/4 cup of packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons of low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon of minced fresh ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon
Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe: Directions
Step 1
Season the chicken with salt and black pepper and place in a medium bowl. Eggs should be blended in a small basin. Stir together flour and 1/2 cup cornstarch in a separate shallow dish. The chicken should be covered in eggs, then tossed in the flour mixture, and any excess should be shaken off.
Step 2
Spray cooking spray on a basket for an air fryer. Cooking: spray the chicken, then put it in a single layer in the basket while working in batches. Cook for 10 minutes at 400°, flipping and using cooking spray halfway through, until golden brown and well done. Place the chicken in a big, spotless bowl.
Step 3
Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with the orange juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar in a measuring cup.
Step 4
Heat a small saucepan on medium heat after spraying it with cooking spray. Stirring constantly, cook the garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes for about 2 minutes, or until fragrant. A blend of orange juice is added; bring to a boil. You should get around 1 1/4 cups of sauce after cooking for about 10 minutes while stirring occasionally. Stir in the oil to mix.
Step 5
Cover the chicken with orange sauce by pouring it over it. Add sesame seeds and scallions as a garnish.
Source: delish.com