Air-Fryer Orange Chicken

Craving that sweet and tangy orange chicken but want something healthier? This amazing air-fryer version gives you all the crispy, saucy goodness your family loves without all the oil! Plus, it’s ready in just 20 minutes – perfect for busy weeknights.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Active Time: 20 minutes, Total Time: 20 minutes, Serves: 4 people.

Nutrition Profile: Diabetes-Friendly, Nut-Free, Dairy-Free, Healthy Pregnancy, High-Protein.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 290 Calories, 11g Fat, 21g Carbs, 25g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Large egg: This helps create that perfect coating that gets super crispy in the air fryer. Room temperature egg works best for even coating.

Chicken thighs or breasts: You’ll need 1 pound cut into 1-inch pieces. I love using thighs because they stay so juicy, but breasts work great too!

Salt: Just ¼ teaspoon to season the chicken perfectly. Don’t skip this – it makes all the difference in flavor.

Cornstarch: You’ll need ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon, divided. This creates that amazing crispy coating and thickens the sauce beautifully.

All-purpose flour: 2 tablespoons mixed with the cornstarch gives you the perfect crispy texture. Regular flour works perfectly here.

Cooking spray: This is your secret to getting crispy chicken without all the oil. Spray generously for best results!

Orange juice: 8 tablespoons total, divided for the sauce. Fresh squeezed tastes amazing, but store-bought works great too.

Honey: 1 tablespoon adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the tangy orange flavor.

Reduced-sodium soy sauce: 1 tablespoon brings that savory umami flavor. You can use regular soy sauce if that’s what you have.

Rice vinegar: 1 tablespoon adds a lovely tangy brightness to the sauce. White vinegar works in a pinch!

Toasted sesame oil: Just 1 teaspoon gives incredible nutty flavor. A little goes a long way with this ingredient.

Garlic: 2 cloves minced adds amazing aromatic flavor. Fresh garlic tastes so much better than the jarred stuff.

Fresh ginger: 1 teaspoon grated brings that warm, spicy kick. You can find fresh ginger in any grocery store produce section.

Crushed red pepper: Just ⅛ teaspoon adds a tiny bit of heat. Skip it if you don’t like spicy food!

Toasted sesame seeds: For serving and that perfect finishing touch. They add such a nice crunch and look so pretty.

How to Make Air-Fryer Orange Chicken

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 10 minutes. Whisk the egg in a medium bowl until smooth. Add the chicken pieces and sprinkle with salt, then toss everything together until well coated.

Step 2: Mix ¼ cup cornstarch and flour in a shallow bowl. Working with just a few chicken pieces at a time, dredge them in the cornstarch mixture. Shake off any excess coating and place on a large plate.

Step 3: Generously spray all sides of the coated chicken with cooking spray. Don’t be shy with the spray – this is what makes it crispy! Add chicken to your air-fryer basket, working in batches if needed.

Step 4: Cook the chicken for 8 to 12 minutes until golden and crispy. Use a thermometer to make sure the thickest pieces reach 165°F. The outside should look beautifully golden brown.

Step 5: While chicken cooks, whisk 2 tablespoons orange juice with the remaining 1 tablespoon cornstarch in a small saucepan. Make sure it’s completely smooth with no lumps.

Step 6: Add the remaining 6 tablespoons orange juice, honey, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and crushed red pepper to the pan. Whisk everything together until well combined.

Step 7: Bring the sauce to a boil over medium heat. Cook while whisking frequently for 1 to 2 minutes until it thickens and reduces slightly. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon.

Step 8: Toss the hot crispy chicken with the warm sauce in a medium bowl. Make sure every piece gets coated with that delicious sauce. Serve immediately topped with sesame seeds.

Easy and Quick Air-Fryer Orange Chicken Version

Want to make this even faster? You can use store-bought orange sauce instead of making your own! Just buy about ½ cup of your favorite orange sauce and warm it up while the chicken cooks. You’ll skip steps 5-7 completely and still get amazing results. The chicken will still be perfectly crispy and delicious!

Serving Ideas

This makes a complete meal when you serve it over fluffy white or brown rice. Add some steamed green beans or broccoli on the side for extra veggies. You could also serve it with fried rice or even over crispy lettuce for a lighter option!

Storage

Store leftover orange chicken in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container. To reheat, pop it back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to get it crispy again. You can also microwave it for 1-2 minutes, but it won’t be as crispy.

Substitutions

No air fryer? You can bake this in a 425°F oven for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through. Don’t have rice vinegar? White vinegar or apple cider vinegar work great. If you can’t find sesame oil, just skip it – the dish will still taste amazing. You can swap the honey for maple syrup or brown sugar if you prefer.

Pro Tips

• Don’t overcrowd: Cook chicken in batches if needed. Overcrowding makes it steam instead of getting crispy.
• Spray generously: Really coat that chicken with cooking spray. This is your secret to crispy perfection!
• Make sauce while chicken cooks: Perfect timing means everything finishes at once and stays hot.
• Toss immediately: Add hot chicken to warm sauce right away for the best coating and flavor.
• Fresh ginger tip: Use a spoon to scrape the skin off ginger – it’s easier than peeling with a knife.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

You’ll want to thaw the chicken completely first! Frozen chicken won’t coat properly and won’t cook evenly in the air fryer. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge and you’re good to go.

Why isn’t my chicken getting crispy enough?

Make sure you’re using enough cooking spray and not overcrowding the basket. Also, check that your air fryer is fully preheated to 400°F before adding the chicken. Sometimes it takes the full 12 minutes to get perfectly crispy!

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Sure! You can make the sauce up to 2 days ahead and store it in the fridge. Just reheat it gently on the stove while your chicken cooks. It might thicken up, so add a splash of orange juice if needed.

Is this recipe really diabetes-friendly?

You bet! This version uses much less sugar than traditional orange chicken and relies on fresh orange juice and just a tablespoon of honey for sweetness. Plus, the air frying method means way less oil than the fried version.

Can I double this recipe?

Absolutely! Just double all the ingredients and cook the chicken in batches. Your air fryer basket can only hold so much, so don’t try to cram it all in at once. The sauce doubles perfectly too!

I hope your family loves this healthier take on orange chicken as much as mine does! Let me know how it turns out for you – I love hearing about your cooking adventures. Happy cooking, friends!