Crispy Air Fryer Orange Chicken
Air fryer orange chicken is made lighter without the deep frying of takeout! Crispy chicken tossed in the BEST orange sauce is a dinner idea the whole family will love.
Servings 4 servings
Calories 279kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breasts cut into small cubes
- 1 large egg beaten
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
For the orange sauce:
- ⅔ cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar or white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger minced
- ½ tablespoon hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon orange zest freshly grated
- 2 tablespoons corn starch + 2 tablespoons water mixed together before adding in.
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the egg, cornstarch, paprika, salt, and pepper and whisk together.1 large egg, 2 tablespoons corn starch, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
- Add in the cubed chicken and stir to coat the meat.1 pound chicken breasts
- Preheat the air fryer at 350° F
- Place the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket leaving a little space in between each piece for even cooking. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Spray the chicken with a little vegetable oil to crisp the outside even more and cook for 4 minutes.1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Then shake the basket and cook for an additional 4 minutes until no longer pink in the center. Remove the chicken and place in a large bowl.
- While the chicken is cooking, add the sauce ingredients (except the sesame oil) to a small pot and bring to a slow boil over medium heat and then simmer over low heat until it thickens.⅔ cup orange juice, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 teaspoons soy sauce, 2 teaspoons rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon garlic, 1 teaspoon ginger, ½ tablespoon hot sauce, ½ teaspoon orange zest, 2 tablespoons corn starch + 2 tablespoons water
- Pour the sauce over the chicken, add the sesame oil for extra flavor and toss to coat well.1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Serve over white rice with a favorite vegetable.
Notes
Swap the hot sauce for sriracha sauce or a ¼ -½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes. add more or less heat as desired.
Use freshly squeezed orange juice for best flavor. You can swap it for bottled orange juice or juice make from frozen concentrate.
Swap the honey for raw cane sugar.
Serve with broccoli, zucchini, green beans or snow peas.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 279kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 652mg | Potassium: 549mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 312IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg
