Deliciously Easy Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe: A Taste Sensation

Air fryer orange chicken recipe is a delicious recipe served with orange zest and juice. This crunchy and juicy air fryer orange chicken recipe is very easy to make. As I am a new mom, I always look for easy dining to spend some more quality time with my little one. And yes, I always prefer healthy recipes. The air fryer has been a lifesaver cooking instrument for me.

This appliance provides a crispy texture with very little or no amount of oil. It perfectly embodies the spirit of Chinese-American cuisine with its delightful combination of flavors that are both savory and sweet. Besides this easy orange chicken recipe, the air fryer takes less than 15 minutes to cook.

Flavor Explosion: What Makes This Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe Special

1. Highlighting the Unique Blend of Sweet and Savory Flavors

The Air Fryer Orange Chicken recipe offers a harmonious blend of sweet and savory elements. The citrusy notes from the orange juice and zest complement the umami-rich soy sauce, creating a complex flavor profile that delights the taste buds.

2. The Allure of Crispy Texture

Air frying is very magical because it can make food crispy without using too much oil. The Air Fryer Orange Chicken is a gourmet meal in and of itself, thanks to its perfectly crunchy outside and juicy inside.

3. Comparing the Nutritional Profile to Traditional orange chicken recipe

This orange chicken recipe air fryer significantly reduces the overall calorie and intake of unhealthy fat content. Air frying makes the most of the chicken’s natural fluids. The concentration of healthy protein sources and minimal oil make this recipe a healthy alternative. It is a great option for people who want to eat their favorite foods but are trying to cut back on their unhealthy intake.

4. Efficient Meal Option for Busy Individuals

The air fryer offers several advantages:

• Faster cooking times
• Energy efficiency

This Orange Chicken in Air Fryer Recipe takes advantage of these benefits, making it a quick and efficient meal option for busy individuals. Let’s quickly see all the things we will need for this recipe.

List of Key Ingredients Needed for the Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe

1. Chicken
2. Egg
3. All-Purpose Flour
4. Cornstarch
5. Ginger
6. Garlic
7. Oil
8. Orange Juice
9. Orange Zest
10. Soy Sauce
11. Rice Vinegar
12. Honey
13. Shaoxing Wine
14. Black Pepper
15. Brown Sugar
16. Chili Flakes
17. Green Onions (optional)
18. Sesame Seeds (optional)
19. Salt
20. Water

The Roles and Amounts of these Key Ingredients will play in this recipe

1. Chicken: I prefer to use skinless boneless chicken breast to cook my orange chicken in air fryer. Because I like uninterrupted chewing. Any interruption changes my mood of eating. People usually use chicken thighs to cook this recipe. They might take slightly longer to cook. Hence you must modify your cooking time as required.
2. Egg: I am going to use the egg for coating the pieces. It will help to adhere the cornstarch mixture to the pieces. This coating will result in a crispy texture.
3. All-purpose flour and Cornstarch: I will be using these two ingredients to make the cornstarch mixture. The mixture helps to create a crispy and crunchy exterior on the chicken when air-fried with egg.
4. Garlic & Ginger: These provide a warm, savory and aromatic flavor to both the chicken coating and the orange sauce, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
5. Oil: Spritz some oil into the air fryer basket. To keep the chicken from sticking and to make sure it cooks evenly.
6. Orange Juice: It forms the base of the orange sauce. contributing a sweet and tangy flavor. It doesn’t need to be freshly squeezed, but it will produce better results.
7. Orange Zest: It adds a concentrated citrus flavor to the orange sauce, enhancing the overall brightness of the dish. You will need fresh orange for this.
8. Soy Sauce: It contributes umami and saltiness to the orange sauce, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
9. Rice Vinegar: It increases acidity level to balance the sweet taste of the orange pulp and honey.

1. Honey: It provides sweetness to the orange sauce. This creates a well-balanced and flavorful glaze for the chicken.
2. Shaoxing Wine: It adds depth of flavor to the orange sauce. It provides a subtle richness to the dish.
3. Black Pepper: It enhances the overall flavor by adding a mild heat and spice.
4. Brown Sugar: It adds sweetness and caramel undertones to the sauce. It complements the other sweet elements.
5. Chili Flakes: They add a hint of heat to the dish. It provides a subtle kick for those who enjoy a spicy element.
6. Green Onions: I use this as a garnish element. It adds freshness and a mild onion flavor to the orange chicken air fryer recipe.
7. Sesame Seeds: It is another optional garnish that adds a nutty flavor and visual appeal to the air fryer orange chicken recipe.
8. Salt: None of those elements will be effective without this and will fail to meet expectations.
9. Water: You will need a little bit of water to create a cornstarch slurry for thickening the orange sauce. It will be also used to ensure a glossy and cohesive coating for the chicken.

 

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions for Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe

This orange chicken air fryer recipe is appropriate for 4 servings.

Step 1: Preparing the Chicken

1. Prepare Flour Mixture:

Preparing the chicken for air fryer orange chicken involves a coating process to achieve a crispy texture. Here is a step-by-step instructions to make the chicken for an easy orange chicken recipe air fryer. Ingredients needed to make the chicken pieces:

1. Skinless boneless chicken pieces (1.5 lbs)
2. 2 large beaten eggs
3. All Purpose Flour (1 cup)
4. Cornstarch (1 cup)
5. Black Pepper (1/2 teaspoon)
6. Salt (1 teaspoon)
7. Oil (Olive/Coconut/Vegetable, for spray only)

1. 1. Prepare Chicken: Trim the excess fat from the chicken. It can be breasts or thighs. The cooking duration will vary depending on your selection. Cut them into uniform 1-inch bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. Wipe the chicken thoroughly using paper towels to eliminate any excess moisture. This will maintain their crunchiness.

In a bowl, whisk up all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper and cornstarch. Thoroughly combine the ingredients to form the coating mixture.

1. Coat Chicken in Beaten egg: Immerse each chicken piece in the beaten eggs, making sure they are thoroughly covered.
2. Coat Chicken with Coating Mixture: Roll the egg-coated chicken pieces in the flour mixture, ensuring an even and thorough coating. Press the coating onto the chicken for better adherence.
3. Remove Excess Coating: Eliminate any remaining coating off the pieces to prevent clumping and guarantee a uniform distribution.
4. Place in the Air Fryer Basket: Arrange the coated chicken breast pieces in a uniform layer into the air fryer basket. Ensure that they are not excessively populated to facilitate adequate air circulation.
5. Lightly Spray with Oil: Give your coated chicken pieces a quick spray of frying oil. This aids in making air-fried foods crispier without adding extra oil. Garbage can clog air fryers if used in excess. Coconut oil and olive oil are my favorites.
6. Get the Air Fryer Ready: A few minutes before adding the chicken, get the air fryer heated up to 400°F (200°C).
7. Air Fry the Chicken: Once the air fryer is preheated, place the basket in the air fryer and cook the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through, or until the chicken
   is golden brown and crispy on all sides.
8. Check for Doneness: Ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches a safe level (165°F or 74°C) to guarantee it’s fully cooked.
9. Transfer to a Bowl: Once cooked, transfer the crispy chicken pieces to a large bowl.

Step 2: Creating the Orange Sauce

Creating the orange sauce involves a combination of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors.

Ingredients for the Orange Sauce:

1. Orange Juice (1 cup)
2. Soy Sauce (1/2 cup)
3. Rice Vinegar (1/4 cup)
4. Honey (1/4 cup)
5. Orange Zest (2 tablespoons)
6. Minced Garlic (1 tablespoon)
7. Grated Ginger (1 teaspoon)
8. Cornstarch (1 tablespoon, for thickening)
9. Shaoxing Wine (1 tablespoon, optional)
10. Black Pepper (1/2 teaspoon, optional)
11. Water (for cornstarch slurry)

Step-by-step process for the sauce:

• Get the Zest and Juice Ready: Rinse the oranges and remove about 2 teaspoons of zest. Gather an orange or two and squeeze them until you have 1 cup of juice. Make a cornstarch slurry by combining one tablespoon of cornstarch and a few tablespoons of water in a small bowl until it is smooth. We will use this to make the sauce thicker.
• In a saucepan, mix the sauce ingredients: orange juice, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, zest of orange, grated ginger and minced garlic. Reduce heat to medium and simmer the sauce. Stir it occasionally as it simmers for a few minutes.
• Simmer & Stir: When the sauce comes to a simmer, whisk in the cornstarch slurry to thicken it. Stir constantly to avoid lumps and make sure it thickens evenly. Simmer and stir occasionally until the sauce thickens to your liking. You can thin it out with a little water if necessary.
• Flavor Adjustment: If necessary, taste the gravy and make flavor adjustments. If you prefer it sweeter, saltier, or acidic, you can increase the honey, soy sauce, or rice vinegar proportionally.
• Remove it From Heat: Once the sauce has thickened and the flavors have melded, remove it from heat.
• Toss with Air-Fried Chicken: Pour the prepared orange sauce over the air-fried chicken in a large bowl. Toss them evenly to coat with the sauce. Please be gentle with that. Otherwise, your delicious chicken will be breaking up.

Now, your air fryer orange chicken recipe is ready to be served! You can garnish it with optional sesame seeds and sliced green onions for added visual appeal and flavor.

Step 3: Serve your delicious air fryer orange chicken

Hence you have a bowl full of chicken you can serve with many dishes or you can gulp it all alone like me! Just kidding.  You can serve the chicken with rice, noodles and many other items. I am just sharing a few with you.

Steamed Rice: Serve your crispy and juicy orange chicken with steamed rice to get the most of the flavor.

With Fried Rice: Pair the air fryer orange chicken with homemade or store-bought fried rice for a complete and satisfying meal.

Noodles: Serve the orange chicken on top of cooked noodles, such as rice noodles or cowmen.

Vegetables: Include a side of stir-fried or steamed vegetables, such as broccoli, bell peppers, or snow peas, for added color and nutrition.

Mixed Greens Salad: Serve alongside a refreshing mixed greens salad with a light vinaigrette for a contrasting and crisp element.

Serving Size of this Recipe

This recipe with 1.5 lbs of chicken is that it could serve approximately 4 people as a main dish.

If you’re serving an easy orange chicken recipe air fryer as part of a larger meal with side dishes like rice or vegetables, it could potentially stretch to serve more people.

Adjusting the quantities of chicken and sauce accordingly can help accommodate a larger or smaller number of servings based on your specific needs.

A few tips to ensure perfect cooking

1. Adjust Temperature: If the chicken is not crispy, try increasing the air fryer temperature or adjusting the cooking time.
2. Prepare Orange Sauce in Advance: While the chicken is cooking, prepare the orange sauce in advance to save time and ensure a smooth transition from frying to saucing.
3. Garnish Just Before Serving: Add optional garnishes like sesame seeds and green onions just before serving to maintain their freshness and crunch.
4. Use Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh orange juice and zest for the sauce to enhance the citrusy flavor.

Nutritional Value of this recipe of Orange Chicken

Here is an approximate nutritional breakdown of our healthy orange chicken recipe air fryer per serving (assuming 4 servings):

– Calories: Around 400-450 kcal

– Protein: 25-30g

– Carbohydrates: 40-45g

– Dietary Fiber: 1-2g

– Sugars: 20-25g

– Fat: 15-20g

– Saturated Fat: 3-5g

– Cholesterol: 150-200mg

– Sodium: 800-1000mg

Related FAQs

1. Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Fresh chicken is recommended for optimal results. But you can thaw and pat dry frozen chicken before coating and air frying.

2. How do I adjust cooking time for different air fryer models?

It’s advisable to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. But as a general rule, monitor the cooking process and adjust time as needed. This will ensure better cooking of the chicken.

3. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, sure you can make it. You can use gluten-free soy sauce and other gluten-free ingredients. By replacing these you can make this recipe suitable for gluten sensitivities people.

4. What sides pair well with the air fryer orange chicken recipe?

Steamed vegetables, rice, or quinoa make excellent accompaniments to complement the flavors of the orange chicken.

5. How long to air fry leftover orange chicken?

Reheat at a lower temperature (around 320°F or 160°C) for 5-7 minutes to maintain the crispy texture.

6. Is the original orange chicken healthy?

Traditional deep-fried orange chicken tends to be higher in calories and fats due to the extensive use of oil. Deep-fried chicken also has lower protein values.

7. How can I make it more spicy?

I am not a spicy lover. So I always prefer a less spicy version of everything. But Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the orange sauce for a spicy kick.

8. How do I store leftovers?

If you have leftover orange chicken from a party, you can preserve it in the refrigerator. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.

9. What country made orange chicken?

Orange chicken originated mainly from China and America.  Now this dish has become very popular all over the world.

Conclusion

The Air Fryer Orange Chicken recipe combines the ease of air frying with the delectable flavors of a classic Chinese-American dish. The result is a delightful and healthier alternative that doesn’t compromise on taste. Please share your experience with us while trying my recipe. You can also check our other recipes on the channel. Your contribution will foster a community of home cooks who appreciate the simplicity and deliciousness of air-fried creations.

Finally, there are numerous delicious recipes for using chicken in the air fryer. From reheat rotisserie chicken in air fryer to crazy cuisine orange chicken air fryer recipe, you can enjoy all kinds of fried mushroom recipes air fryer.

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