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    Bites with Bri » Air Fryer » Orange Chicken (Air Fryer)

    Orange Chicken (Air Fryer)

    Published: Nov 1, 2021 · Modified: May 19, 2022 by Brianna May · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    This Orange Chicken (Air Fryer) is the easiest weeknight dinner and it is much tastier (and healthier) than takeout. The lightly breaded crispy chicken is tossed in the most vibrant orange soy flavored sauce. Serve this air fryer orange chicken over steamed or fried rice and dinner is served!

    overhead of air fryer orange chicken over rice in bowl

    So I have perfected my orange chicken recipe and to no surprise it is cooked in the beloved air fryer, like Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Recipe and Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast Recipe. 

    Jump to:
    • Highlights
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Helpful Equipment & Tools
    • Instructions
    • Make Ahead & Storage
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe Notes
    • Variations
    • FAQs
    • Related Recipes
    • Orange Chicken (Air Fryer)

    Highlights

    • Better and healthier than takeout
    • Easy shake-and-bake breading
    • Crispy air fryer chicken
    • Sauce made with fresh orange juice and zest
    • Kid friendly
    • Easy dinner idea
    • Dairy free

    Ingredient Notes

    overhead of ingredients need to make orange chicken in the air fryer
    • Panko Bread Crumbs: Do not substitute regular breadcrumbs. 
    • Spray Oil: I like to use avocado oil, but any spray oil will work.
    • Toasted Sesame Oil: This is crucial for the flavor of the sauce. Be sure to use toasted sesame oil and not regular sesame oil. The flavor is very different. 
    • Fresh Orange Juice: I have only tested the sauce with fresh orange juice. It is best for this recipe. I imagine store-bought would give the sauce a more intense flavor as fresh is much more mild.

    Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.

    Helpful Equipment & Tools

    • COSORI Air Fryer Max XL: The best air fryer on the market. It iis a great size, is very powerful, and comes at a great price point. I have tried 3-4 others and this is my favorite. 
    • Duralex Mixing Bowl Set: Heavy glass mixing bowls that are great for cooking, prepping, and baking. 
    • Calphalon Classic Hard-Anodized Nonstick Pots and Pans, 10-Piece Cookware Set: Heavy duty set of pots and pans. Great variety of sizes for everyday use.

    Instructions

    Overview

    • Lightly bread the chunks of chicken breast. 
    • Air fry until golden and crispy. 
    • Make the orange chicken sauce. 
    • Toss the chicken and sauce together.

    Step by Step

    Step 1: In a plastic sealable gallon bag, add the panko, cornstarch, and salt. Seal tightly and shake. Use your fist to break up the panko into smaller bits.

    Step 2: Place the chicken in the bag. Seal tightly. Shake until all of the chicken is well coated. Use your hands to press the panko mixture onto the chicken while shaking.

    steps 1 & 2
breading in large baggie
chicken tossed in breading in bag

    TIP - Be sure all of the breading sticks to the chickens and there is not much excess left in the bag. 

    Step 3: Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400 degrees. Spray the basket with oil. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray the top of the chicken with more oil.

    Step 4: Air fry at 400 for 10-11 minutes or until golden and at least 165 degrees (it should be well over). Do not flip or shake the basket during the cooking process.

    raw chicken in air fryer basket
cooked chicken golden brown in basket

    TIP -  Be generous with the spray oil. This helps browning and crisping. 

    TIP -  Shaking or flipping the chicken is not necessary. It will just cause the breading to fall off.

    Step 5: While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. Heat the sesame oil over medium heat in a small saucepan. Add the garlic and ginger. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until fragrant. Add in the orange juice, soy, vinegar, zest, chili flakes, and sugar. Stir and bring to a light boil. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water. Add to saucepan and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat immediately.

    Step 6: In a large bowl, toss the chicken and sauce together.

    steps 5 & 6
orange chicken sauce in pan
air fryer orange chicken in bowl tossed with sauce

    TIP -  Do not overheat the sauce or it will become too thick and gloopy. It will continue to thicken as it cools. 

    TIP -  Serve immediately as the sauce will make the chicken soggy the longer it sits.

    Make Ahead & Storage

    • Make Ahead: The sauce can be made the day before and stored in the fridge in an airtight container.
      • Reheating: Reheat in the microwave in 30 second intervals until warm before tossing it with the air fried orange chicken.
    • Refrigerator: The orange chicken tossed in sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days. However, it is best to store them separately. 
      • Reheating: The orange chicken tossed in sauce will not be crispy leftover. You can reheat it in the microwave if it is already tossed in the sauce. Reheating it in the air fryer is too messy because the sauce becomes sticky and drips through the basket. Chicken without sauce can be reheated in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 5-7 minutes or until heated through. 
    • Freezer: You can store the sauce and chicken separately in the freezer. Follow the recipe through step 5. Allow the sauce and the chicken to cool overnight in the fridge. Place the chicken not touching on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 4-6 hours and then transfer the frozen chicken to an airtight bag or container. Store frozen sauce and chicken for 2-3 months in the freezer. I do not recommend freezing orange chicken tossed in the sauce in the freezer. 
      • Reheating: Reheat sauce from frozen on the stove or in the microwave covered. Air fry frozen chicken at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Do not thaw before heating.

    Expert Tips

    • Use fresh orange zest. This ingredient is what gives the sauce its vibrant orange flavor. You definitely do not want to skip out on it. I use this grater to easily grate the orange. 
    • Be generous with the oil. Liberally spray the chicken so that it is coated in oil. This will help with browning and crisping. 
    • Do not shake. Shaking or flipping the chicken will loosen the breading too much. 
    • Cook in batches if needed. You do not want to stack the chicken or it will not become crispy. Hold cooked chicken in the oven at 200 degrees while the other batches finish cooking. Toss in sauce right before serving. 
    • Use a meat thermometer. Ensure orange chicken (air fryer) is cooked to 165 degrees before consuming.

    Recipe Notes

    • This recipe serves about 2 people. To feed a finally, double the orange chicken (air fryer) recipe. Cook the chicken in batches. Hold cooked chicken in the oven at 200 degrees. 
    closeup of orange chicken (air fryer)

    Variations

    • Oven: Arrange the chicken directly on a well greased baking sheet. Bake at 425 for 18-22 minutes. 
    • Spicy: Double the amount of chili flakes for even more heat.
    • Stir-fry: Double the sauce and toss it with cooked onions, bell peppers, zucchini, or broccoli on the side.

    FAQs

    What do you serve with orange chicken?

    I serve this air fried chicken over steamed jasmine rice and broccoli. 

    Why is my orange chicken sauce too thin?

    The cornstarch was likely not heated enough and for a long enough period. If you remove the sauce from the stove and find that it is still too thin, put it back on the heat and continue to cook for another couple of minutes. 

    Is general tso and orange chicken the same?

    The chicken for both of these dishes is cooked the same, typically breaded and fried. The sauces are different. Orange chicken sauce has a strong orange flavor, while general tso sauce has more notes of ginger, soy, and spice. 

    Do you have to preheat the air fryer?

    Yes, for this orange chicken recipe it is important to preheat the air fryer at 400 degrees for 5 minutes so the chicken does not stick and gets crispy. 

    What cooking spray is best for the air fryer?

    Olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, and grape seed oil spray all the best options for the air fryer.

    How do you cook frozen orange chicken?

    Air fry store bought frozen orange chicken at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. 

    What is orange chicken sauce made of?

    It is made of soy sauce, rice vinegar, orange juice, orange zest, and other spices/aromatics.

    Related Recipes

    • French Onion Chicken Bake
    • Chicken Pot Pie with Puff Pastry
    • Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Corn Soup
    • Dutch Oven Chicken Breast
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    5 from 12 votes

    Orange Chicken (Air Fryer)

    This Orange Chicken (Air Fryer) is the easiest weeknight dinner and it is much tastier (and healthier) than takeout. The lightly breaded crispy chicken is tossed in the most vibrant orange soy flavored sauce. Serve this air fryer orange chicken over steamed or fried rice and dinner is served!
    Servings2 people
    Prep10 minutes
    Cook7 minutes
    Total17 minutes
    Course: Main
    Cuisine: Asian
    Author: Brianna May

    Equipment:

    • Air Fryer
    • Microplane Grater
    • Mixing Bowls
    • Nonstick pan/pot

    Ingredients:

    Chicken

    • ⅓ cup panko bread crumbs*
    • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 pound chicken breasts, cut in 1 inch pieces
    • spray oil*

    Sauce

    • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil*
    • 4 cloves garlic, pressed
    • 1 teaspoon ginger paste
    • ⅓ cup fresh orange juice*
    • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
    • 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon orange zest
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • ⅓ Cup granulated sugar
    • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
    • 2 tablespoons water

    Garnish

    • sesame seeds
    • green onions

    Instructions:

    • Review all recipe notes and instructions before beginning.
    • In a plastic sealable gallon bag, add the panko, cornstarch, and salt. Seal tightly and shake. Use your fist to break up the panko into smaller bits.
    • Place the chicken in the bag. Seal tightly. Shake until all of the chicken is well coated. Use your hands to press the panko mixture onto the chicken while shaking.
    • Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400 degrees. Spray the basket with oil. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray the top of the chicken with more oil.
    • Air fry at 400 for 10-11 minutes or until golden and at least 165 degrees (it should be well over). Do not flip or shake the basket during the cooking process.
    • While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. Heat the sesame oil over medium heat in a small saucepan. Add the garlic and ginger. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until fragrant. Add in the orange juice, soy, vinegar, zest, chili flakes, and sugar. Stir and bring to a light boil. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water. Add to saucepan and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat immediately.
    • In a large bowl, toss the chicken and sauce together.
    • Garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, and enjoy!

    Notes:

    Panko Bread Crumbs: Do not substitute regular breadcrumbs. 
    Spray Oil: I like to use avocado oil, but any spray oil will work.
    Toasted Sesame Oil: This is crucial for the flavor of the sauce. Be sure to use toasted sesame oil and not regular sesame oil. The flavor is very different. 
    Fresh Orange Juice: I have only tested the sauce with fresh orange juice. It is best for this recipe. I imagine store-bought would give the sauce a more intense flavor as fresh is much more mild.
    Use fresh orange zest. This ingredient is what gives the sauce its vibrant orange flavor. You definitely do not want to skip out on it. I use this grater to easily grate the orange. 
    Be generous with the oil. Liberally spray the chicken so that it is coated in oil. This will help with browning and crisping. 
    Do not shake. Shaking or flipping the chicken will loosen the breading too much. 
    Cook in batches if needed. You do not want to stack the chicken or it will not become crispy. Hold cooked chicken in the oven at 200 degrees while the other batches finish cooking. Toss in sauce right before serving.
    Mahe Ahead: The sauce can be made the day before and stored in the fridge in an airtight container. Reheating: Reheat in the microwave in 30 second intervals until warm before tossing it with the air fried orange chicken.
    Refrigerator: The orange chicken tossed in sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days. However, it is best to store them separately. Reheating: The orange chicken tossed in sauce will not be crispy leftover. You can reheat it in the microwave if it is already tossed in the sauce. Reheating it in the air fryer is too messy because the sauce becomes sticky and drips through the basket. Chicken without sauce can be reheated in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 5-7 minutes or until heated through.

    NUTRITION:

    Calories: 537kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 2517mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 38g
    Did you make this recipe? Tag me on Instagram!Mention or tag @bites.with.bri_ or use the hashtag #biteswithbri
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Avery

      May 07, 2022 at 4:54 pm

      5 stars
      Hi! Does the sauce call for 1/3 CUP sugar or a different measurement? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Brianna May

        May 07, 2022 at 5:17 pm

        Yes! I’m fixing the recipe card now.

        Reply
    2. nancy

      January 07, 2022 at 7:25 pm

      5 stars
      these AF orange chicken are so bomb!

      Reply
    3. Jeannie

      January 07, 2022 at 6:38 pm

      5 stars
      so delicious and orange flavor, great appetizer and meal in our household

      Reply
    4. Amy Liu Dong

      January 07, 2022 at 3:10 pm

      5 stars
      Such an easy and delicious chicken recipe. I am ao excited to make this for the family. Yum!

      Reply

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    I am a recipe developer, food photographer, blogger. My goal is to teach you how to cook, not just follow my recipes. I love to cook with bold flavors that are still family friendly. My hubs is a picky eater and all of these recipes are approved by him, so I am sure you and your family will love them too. Learn more about Bri >>

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