If you love dishes that bring bright, zesty flavors to life and crave a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and a little spicy kick, then this Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe is about to become your new favorite go-to meal. Crispy air-fried chicken coated in a luscious, homemade orange sauce makes every bite irresistibly satisfying, and the convenience of the air fryer means you get that satisfying crunch without the mess of deep frying. Whether you’re cooking for family or friends, this dish is a total showstopper that’s easy to pull together and sure to impress.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe calls for simple ingredients that each play a crucial role in building its layered flavors, crispy texture, and vibrant color. Having these on hand ensures a smooth cooking process and a mouthwatering result every time.
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs: They stay juicy and tender, perfect for air frying to crisp perfection.
- Cornstarch: Creates that irresistible crispy coating on the chicken when air fried.
- Orange juice: Provides the fresh, citrusy base for the signature sauce.
- Brown sugar: Adds a deep, caramel sweetness that balances the tang.
- Soy sauce: Brings umami and saltiness to elevate the sauce’s flavor complexity.
- Rice wine vinegar: Injects a gentle acidity that brightens the sauce.
- Fresh ginger (grated): Adds warmth and a slight peppery note, enhancing the orange flavor.
- Garlic (minced): Builds a savory foundation that amplifies the overall taste.
- Red pepper flakes: Gives a subtle heat that you can adjust according to your spice preference.
- Orange zest: Infuses an extra burst of citrus aroma and flavor into the sauce.
- Green onions (sliced): For a fresh, crunchy garnish that adds color and mild onion flavor.
- Toasted sesame seeds: Give a nutty crunch on top, making the dish even more special.
- Cooked rice: Serves as the perfect bed to soak up all that glorious orange sauce.
How to Make Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This ensures the chicken will cook evenly and get that magical golden crispiness. Meanwhile, cut your boneless skinless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces so every chunk cooks quickly and crisply.
Step 2: Coat the Chicken
In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch until fully coated. This step is the secret to achieving that perfect crunch without deep frying, as the cornstarch crisps up beautifully in the air fryer.
Step 3: Air Fry the Chicken
Place the coated chicken in your preheated air fryer basket, shaking off any excess cornstarch first to avoid clumping. Cook for 15 to 18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until each piece is golden brown and crispy on the outside while remaining juicy inside.
Step 4: Make the Orange Sauce
While the chicken is cooking, whip up the vibrant orange sauce. Combine orange juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, freshly grated ginger, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and orange zest in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon. This luscious sauce is where all those flavors come together beautifully.
Step 5: Toss the Chicken in Sauce
Transfer your crispy cooked chicken to a large bowl and pour the fragrant orange sauce over it. Gently toss the pieces, ensuring every bite is evenly coated in that sticky, flavorful glaze.
Step 6: Serve
Serve your irresistible Air Fryer Orange Chicken over a bed of fluffy cooked rice, and get ready to dig into a dish bursting with flavor and texture.
How to Serve Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Adding sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds on top not only enhances the look with pops of green and nutty specks but also gives each bite an added burst of freshness and crunch. These simple garnishes elevate the dish, making it feel restaurant-quality right at your table.
Side Dishes
While rice is a natural partner for this dish, you can also serve the Air Fryer Orange Chicken with steamed broccoli, snap peas, or a fresh Asian slaw. These sides add vibrant veggies to your plate and create a balanced, wholesome meal full of colors and textures.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, turn this recipe into a lettuce wrap by spooning the saucy chicken into crisp butter lettuce leaves, topped with green onions and sesame seeds. It makes for an exciting finger food or a lighter, low-carb option that’s sure to impress everyone at the table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover Air Fryer Orange Chicken in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It’s best enjoyed within 3 days to retain the texture and flavor of the crispy chicken coated in orange sauce.
Freezing
You can freeze this dish, but it’s best to freeze the chicken and sauce separately. Keep them in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge for the best texture.
Reheating
To reheat, spread the chicken pieces on an air fryer basket and warm them at 350°F for 5 to 7 minutes to regain crispiness. Reheat the sauce gently in a saucepan on the stove. Toss again and serve over fresh rice for a delicious second helping.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs for this Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts will work just fine, though thighs tend to stay juicier and more tender after air frying. If using breasts, cut them into uniform bite-sized pieces and be careful not to overcook to avoid dryness.
How spicy is this recipe with the red pepper flakes?
The amount of heat is mild and adjustable. You can easily omit or reduce the red pepper flakes if you prefer a sweeter, gentler orange chicken, or add more if you love a spicier kick. It’s all about your personal taste!
Do I need to marinate the chicken before air frying?
There’s no need for a marinade here because the cornstarch coating and fresh sauce layering deliver plenty of flavor and crispness. This recipe is designed to be quick and straightforward without sacrificing taste.
Can I make the orange sauce ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the orange sauce in advance and refrigerate it. When you’re ready, just warm it up gently while cooking the chicken. This helps speed up the cooking process on busy days.
What if I don’t have a rice wine vinegar substitute?
In a pinch, you can replace rice wine vinegar with apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, but use slightly less since they tend to be more acidic. The key is to maintain the right balance of tang in the sauce.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe enough for anyone looking to bring a burst of delicious flavor into their weeknight dinners with minimal fuss. Crispy, tangy, and brimming with vibrant citrus notes, each bite feels like a little celebration. Give it a try, and you’ll likely find yourself making it over and over again—the perfect dish to share with anyone who appreciates great food made easy.
Print
Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
This Air Fryer Orange Chicken recipe offers a crispy, flavorful chicken dish coated in a tangy and sweet orange sauce. The air fryer ensures a healthier, guilt-free alternative to traditional fried chicken with less oil, while still delivering a deliciously crunchy texture. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe is easy to prepare and pairs wonderfully with steamed rice and garnished with green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
Orange Sauce
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Zest of 1 orange
Garnish and Serving
- Green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Cooked rice (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the optimal temperature for cooking the chicken evenly and creating a crispy texture.
- Coat Chicken: In a medium-sized bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken thigh pieces with 1/2 cup cornstarch until fully coated. This coating helps the chicken crisp up nicely in the air fryer.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Place the coated chicken pieces in the preheated air fryer basket. Shake off any excess cornstarch to prevent clumping and ensure even cooking.
- Air Fry Chicken: Cook the chicken at 400°F for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through. This allows the chicken to cook evenly and develop a golden-brown crispy exterior.
- Make Orange Sauce: While the chicken cooks, combine orange juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and orange zest in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to coat the back of a spoon.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Pour the thickened orange sauce over the chicken and gently toss to coat each piece evenly in the flavorful sauce.
- Serve: Serve the sauced chicken over cooked rice for a complete meal.
- Garnish: Sprinkle sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds over the dish to add freshness and a nutty crunch before enjoying.
Notes
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to your heat preference or omit for a milder sauce.
- Using chicken thighs ensures more tender and juicy meat; however, chicken breasts can be substituted but may yield a drier texture.
- Ensure the air fryer basket is not overcrowded to allow even air circulation and crispiness.
- For gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
- Leftover chicken is best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the air fryer to retain crispiness.
- For extra zest, garnish with additional fresh orange slices.
