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Home » Recipes » Main Dish Recipes

Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Published: Mar 4, 2022 · Modified: Jun 13, 2022 by Colleen 40 Comments

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Air Fryer Orange Chicken is a healthier but just as tasty as the takeout favorite! Easily make it at home for a delicious meal the whole family will love.

Air fried orange chicken on a white plate with black chopsticks.
Crispy Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Orange Chicken is a popular menu item on Chinese takeout restaurants in North America, with the most famous one being Panda Express.

In the takeout version, pieces of chicken are battered and deep fried before being bathed in a flavorful orange sauce. It's delicious, but it's also loaded with fat, sugar and salt.

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love this Recipe
  • Ingredient Notes
  • How to Make it, Step by Step
  • Top Tips
  • Common Questions
  • More Air Fryer Recipes!
  • Recipe
  • Comments

Why You'll Love this Recipe

  • A healthier version of that favorite takeout, this orange chicken is much lower in fat, calories, sodium and sugar (for a similar portion size.)
  • This air fryer orange chicken recipe is easy to make at home with ingredients you may already have.
  • Healthy orange chicken isn't fried or deep fried, which means less mess and less cleanup. And air frying still gives the chicken that crispy exterior.
  • This delicious recipe is gluten-free, so everyone can enjoy it.
  • Kids love the the fast food version of the classic orange chicken dish, so this will be sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredient Notes

For the Chicken

  • Chicken Breast Boneless and skinless. You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead.
  • Eggs 2 large
  • Tapioca Starch Also called tapioca flour, tapioca starch is a root starch from the cassava plant. I love the crisp, golden exterior that it gives the chicken. But you can substitute cornstarch or potato starch in equal amounts.

The ingredients to make the chicken.
Chicken, egg and tapioca starch

For the Sauce

  • Orange Juice From concentrate or not, just be sure to use pure, unsweetened orange juice.
  • Sugar A minimal amount of sugar is enough to add the right touch of sweetness to the orange chicken sauce. You can use brown sugar, but the sauce will be a darker color.
  • Tamari To keep this recipe gluten-free, I used tamari, and you can also use gluten-free soy sauce. If gluten isn't a concern, feel free to use regular soy sauce.
  • Rice Vinegar Rice vinegar has a smoother, sweeter flavor than white vinegar. Use regular rice vinegar as apposed to seasoned rice vinegar, which has added sugar and seasonings.
  • Cornstarch Cornstarch (sometimes spelled corn starch and called corn flour if you are in the UK) is used to thicken the sauce.
The ingredients to make the orange sauce.
Sauce ingredients

How to Make it, Step by Step

These instructions are intended as a visual guide. Complete detailed instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

Chicken

  1. Slice chicken into cubes
  2. Coat chicken pieces in beaten egg
  3. Coat again in tapioca starch
  4. Place in preheated air fryer
Process shots of making this recipe steps one through four.
Coating the chicken

Cook in batches until the chicken is crisp and golden brown.

The chicken pieces after being air fried.
Crispy air fryer orange chicken

Sauce

  1. Make a cornstarch slurry by mixing the cornstarch with water
  2. Combine all of the sauce ingredients, including the cornstarch mixture, in a small saucepan. Heat until the sauce thickens.
Process shots of making the sauce.
Making the sauce.

Toss the cooked chicken in enough orange sauce to coat. Garnish with green onions and or sesame seeds.

A close up of the chicken after being tossed in sauce.
Ready to Serve!

Top Tips

  • Try to cut your chicken pieces into roughly equal sizes to ensure even cooking.
  • Avoid using aerosol oil sprays (like Pam) which can quickly damage the coating on your air fryer basket. A pump sprayer works great.
  • Air frying uses high heat, so use a cooking spray oil with a high smoke point. My favorite is avocado oil. Other good ones are grapeseed oil, peanut oil, corn oil or safflower oil.
  • The sauce will thicken as it cools. However, if you like a thicker sauce, whisk in a tablespoon of cornstarch that has been mixed with two tablespoons of water and heat the sauce until it thickens more.
  • If you want a thinner sauce, whisk in more orange juice until it's the right consistency.
  • This recipe has just a hint of spice. You can adjust the spice level to your liking by adding more or less red pepper flakes. Make it kid friendly by leaving out the chili flakes.
  • Serve orange chicken with white rice, fried rice, or cauliflower rice, and a vegetable like steamed broccoli or sautéed green beans.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Common Questions

How do I know when the chicken is cooked?

The chicken is cooked when the internal temperature is 165°. The safest way to tell is using a meat thermometer. It's an inexpensive tool that ensures your food is perfectly cooked.

How do I reheat leftovers?

You can reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 380° for 5-7 minutes. Because the leftover chicken will be coated in orange sauce, watch carefully to ensure it doesn't burn.

Can I freeze leftover orange chicken?

Yes, after cooking the chicken, allow to cool completely before transferring it (without sauce) to and airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Allow the chicken to thaw in the fridge before following the above instructions for reheating.

The finished recipe, garnished with green onion.

More Air Fryer Recipes!

  • Air Fryer Rutabaga Fries
  • Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms
  • Air Fryer Butternut Squash
  • Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
  • Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs (Gluten-Free)
  • Air Fryer Cornish Hens
  • Air Fryer Meatloaf

Recipe

Air fried orange chicken garnished with green onions.

Air Fryer Orange Chicken

A much healthier but every bit as delicious version of the popular take out chicken.
5 from 67 votes
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 310kcal
Author: Colleen Milne

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1 cup tapioca starch

Sauce

  • 1 cup orange juice unsweetened
  • 3 tablespoon sugar
  • 3 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp red chili flakes

Instructions

Chicken

  • Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray and preheat to 400°
  • Cut chicken into one inch cubes
  • In a bowl, combine chicken pieces with beaten egg, stirring to coat
  • Put tapioca starch in another bowl, and add chicken pieces, allowed excess egg to drip off. Stir well to coat each piece of chicken with the tapioca starch.
  • Arrange the chicken pieces (so that they aren't touching) in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You will need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding. Spray the chicken with more cooking spray.
  • Air fry 15 minutes, turning halfway through. Chicken should be golden brown and crisp.

Orange Sauce

  • Make a cornstarch slurry by combining the cornstarch with 4 tablespoon of water. Stir until there are no lumps
  • Combine all of the sauce ingredients, including the cornstarch slurry in a saucepan. Heat over medium high heat, whisking, until sauce is thickened. Remove from heat.
  • Toss the cooked chicken in the orange sauce. You will have extra sauce which you can serve over rice.
  • Garnish with green onions and serve hot.

Notes

  • Try to cut your chicken pieces into roughly equal sizes to ensure even cooking.
  • Avoid using aerosol oil sprays (like Pam) which can quickly damage the coating on your air fryer basket. A pump sprayer works great.
  • Air frying uses high heat, so use a cooking spray oil with a high smoke point. My favorite is avocado oil. Other good ones are grapeseed oil, peanut oil, corn oil or safflower oil.
  • The sauce will thicken as it cools. However, if you like a thicker sauce, whisk in a tablespoon or cornstarch that has been mixed with two tablespoons of water and heat the sauce until it thickens more.
  • If you want a thinner sauce, whisk in more orange juice until it's the right consistency.
  • This recipe has just a hint of spice. You can adjust the spice level to your liking by adding more or less red pepper flakes. Make it kid friendly by leaving out the chili flakes.
  • Serve orange chicken with white rice, fried rice, or cauliflower rice, and a vegetable like steamed broccoli or sautéed green beans.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 310kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 151mg | Sodium: 701mg | Potassium: 692mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 232IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @TheFoodBlog or tag #thefoodblog!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lubna

    March 19, 2022 at 10:23 pm

    This is simply the best chicken recipe. Can't wait to try this.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      March 22, 2022 at 3:14 pm

      I would love to know how it goes for you, Lubna!

      Reply
  2. Terri

    March 14, 2022 at 1:19 pm

    I've been craving this- can't wait until it's ready! Orange chicken is my fave and THE BEST part is making it at home in a healthier way!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      March 14, 2022 at 2:28 pm

      I know you'll love it, Terri! Enjoy!

      Reply
  3. Marie

    March 13, 2022 at 6:51 pm

    This is such a delicious recipe! Loved how crunchy the chicken bites came out of the air fryer, and the orange sauce was finger-licking good. My family polished off this dish in no time!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      March 14, 2022 at 9:35 am

      Hi Marie! I'm so happy that your family loved this dish, and I appreciate your comment, thank you!

      Reply
  4. Amita

    March 13, 2022 at 6:47 pm

    This is my daughters favorite food but I always thought it won't as good as the real thing in Air fryer but I tried this recipe and it is yummmm.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      March 14, 2022 at 9:34 am

      Thanks for letting me know Amita! So glad you liked this orange chicken!

      Reply
  5. Tammy

    March 13, 2022 at 2:25 pm

    I've been obsessed with my air fryer again recently. This is a fabulous idea for a healthier version of takeout. Looks so yum!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      March 14, 2022 at 9:33 am

      I hope you give it a try, Tammy.

      Reply
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