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A serving of orange chicken on a plate.
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5 from 2 votes

Air Fryer Orange Chicken

This Air Fryer Orange Chicken is a flavorful 30-minute dinner featuring air-fried chicken bites in a sweet and tangy orange sauce.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Chinese
Servings: 4
Calories: 427kcal
Author: Scott

Ingredients

  • 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
  • ¼ cup flour
  • ¼ cup corn starch
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
  • cooking spray

Orange Chicken Sauce

  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil or other light cooking oil
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger
  • ½ teaspoon finely grated garlic
  • ½ cup orange juice
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • ⅓ cup light brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons orange zest
  • 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

  • Mix the eggs and soy sauce together in a large bowl, then add the chicken and stir until the pieces are well coated. Let sit for at least 15 minutes.
  • In another bowl, stir together the flour and cornstarch. Working in batches, add the marinated chicken pieces and toss to coat. Shake off any excess coating and set aside, then repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.
  • Preheat your air fryer to 390℉. Spray the chicken with cooking spray to coat each piece, then flip and spray the other side. Add the chicken pieces to the basket in a single layer and cook for around 12 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally, until they reach an internal temperature of 165℉. Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.
  • While the chicken cooks, heat a saucepan over medium heat. Add the sesame oil and vegetable oil, then add the ginger and garlic, and cook for around 45 seconds. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently until the sauce is thickened.
  • Toss the cooked chicken in the sauce to coat, then serve immediately.

Notes

  • Avoid overcrowding the air fryer when cooking the chicken. Leave a little space between the chicken pieces so the air can circulate. You may need to cook the chicken in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
  • Shake the basket every 3-4 minutes when cooking the chicken to help it brown more evenly.
  • If the sauce is too thin, combine 1 teaspoon of cornstarch and 1 teaspoon of water, then stir into the sauce and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Repeat if needed until it reaches your desired consistency.
  • If the sauce is too thick, stir in a tablespoon of water at a time and cook for another minute. Repeat if needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 427kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 11g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g