The Best Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe

air fried orange chicken, served with garnished with chopped scallions

The Best Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe

https://fryit.co/air-fryer-orange-chicken-recipe/

Enjoy a burst of sweet and tangy flavors with this delicious air fryer orange chicken. Tender breaded chicken bites coated in a delightful orange sauce perfectly combine crispy and saucy goodness.

Prep Time 18

Cook Time 12

Total Time 30

Makes

Ingredients

Breaded chicken bites:

2 Chicken Breasts cut into bite-size pieces
1 Egg beaten
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
Avocado oil

Orange sauce:

1/2 cup orange juice freshly squeezed
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon ginger grated
2 garlic cloves minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 tablespoon cornstarch for slurry

Instructions

Set up the breading station. In a large bowl, add the beaten egg. Then, combine cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper in a food container with a lid.
Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (204ºC).
Bread the chicken bites. Place the chicken chunks into the egg bowl and toss by hand until each piece is coated. Next, transfer egg-coated bites to the cornstarch-flour mixture. Cover the container and shake until all chicken bites are evenly breaded.
Air fry the chicken bites at 400ºF (204ºC) for 10 - 12 minutes. Put the breaded chicken in the air fryer in a single layer. Spray with avocado oil. Then, flip them halfway through, and spray more avocado oil when necessary. Air fry until it’s crispy and golden brown. Finally, make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) or higher before serving.
Make the orange sauce. Combine orange juice, sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, grated ginger, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and sesame oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 5 - 7 minutes or until the orange sauce slightly thickens.
Thicken the sauce. Mix a 1:1 ratio of cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Add it to the simmering orange sauce and stir until it thickens to a glaze-like consistency. Remove from heat.
Coat the chicken with the orange sauce. Toss the air-fried chicken bites in the orange sauce until they're evenly coated.
Serve your air fried orange chicken. Garnish with optional sesame seeds and green onions for added flair. Pair it with steamed rice and enjoy!

Notes

Remember that cooking durations may differ depending on the chicken’s thickness and your air fryer’s size and model. Before serving, ensure it has been cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC).
If your air fryer doesn't have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 380°F (193°C) and then let it cook for 4-5 minutes without food.
You can skip preheating by adding 2-4 minutes to your cooking time. Increment gradually to prevent burning the orange chicken.
I used a 6-quart (air fryer) to test the orange chicken. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you are making. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time.

Nutrition

Visit fryit.co for more easy & tasty air fryer recipes.