Easy Air Fryer Orange Chicken 🍊
Enjoy a delicious and quick homemade version of your favorite takeout! This Easy Air Fryer Orange Chicken features crispy chicken nuggets coated in a vibrant, sweet, and tangy orange sauce, perfect for a weeknight meal served over rice or noodles.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Small Saucepan
- Small Bowl
- Large Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen chicken breast nuggets (like Just Bare brand)
For the Orange Sauce
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon sweet chili sauce (or 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes for a kick)
For the Slurry
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
For Serving
- Rice or Noodles
Instructions
- Prep the Air Fryer: Start by preheating your air fryer to 350°F. Once it's ready, arrange the frozen chicken nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook the Chicken: Air fry the nuggets for 8 minutes. Don't forget to give the basket a good shake halfway through to ensure they get perfectly golden and crispy on all sides.
- Whip up the Sauce: While the chicken cooks, combine the orange juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, ground ginger, and sweet chili sauce (or red pepper flakes) in a small saucepan. Heat this mixture over medium-high heat, letting it simmer gently for 5 minutes while stirring often.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a smooth "slurry." Stir this slurry into the simmering sauce in the saucepan. Continue to cook for just one more minute, stirring well, until the sauce thickens nicely. Then, remove it from the heat.
- Combine & Serve: Once the crispy chicken nuggets are done, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour your homemade orange sauce over the chicken and toss everything together until each nugget is beautifully coated. Serve this easy and flavorful orange chicken immediately over your favorite rice or noodles for a satisfying meal!
Notes
This recipe is perfect for a quick and healthy meal, offering a homemade alternative to takeout.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
Calories: 366
Total Carbs: 37g
Net Carbs: 36g
Fats: 5g
Protein: 40g
Calories: 366
Total Carbs: 37g
Net Carbs: 36g
Fats: 5g
Protein: 40g
