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Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe

Our air fryer orange chicken recipe is a healthier take on the Chinese popular staple. It's served with rice to make a delicious, easy meal.
  • cook TIME 17 mins
  • prep TIME 5 mins
  • total TIME 22 mins
Course: Main CourseCuisine: Chinese
Keyword: air fryer orange chicken, air fryer orange chicken recipe, how to make orange chicken in an air fryer
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 481 kcal

Ingredients (17)

  • 18 oz skinless boneless chicken thigh cut into chunks
  • 4 tbsp orange juice
  • 2 tsp orange zest from about an orange
  • 3 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1/2 tbsp white sesame seeds toasted
  • 1 1/2 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp garlic about 3 cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp scallion chopped
  • 1 tsp paprika divided
  • 1 1/2 tsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp lime juice
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp chili pepper flakes
  • 3 1/2 cups cooked medium-grain rice

INSTRUCTIONS

1

Marinate 18 oz chicken thighs with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp garlic, and 1/2 tsp paprika.

step 1 Homemade Orange Chicken in an Air Fryer
2

Use foil to form a baking sheet with high walls, like so, and place the chicken onto it. Transfer the whole ‘baking sheet’ into the air fryer and cook at 400°F for 12 minutes.

step 2 Homemade Orange Chicken in an Air Fryer
3

Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix together 4 tbsp orange juice, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp cornstarch, 2 tsp orange zest, 1 1/2 tsp sesame oil, 1 1/2 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp lime juice, 1/2 tsp paprika and 1/2 tsp pepper.

step 3 Homemade Orange Chicken in an Air Fryer
4

Once the chicken’s finished, pour the sauce on top of the chicken, and cook for another 5 minutes or until it thickens.

step 4 Homemade Orange Chicken in an Air Fryer
5

Sprinkle 2 tbsp scallion, 1/2 tbsp white sesame seeds, and 1/4 tsp chili pepper flakes. Enjoy with 3 1/2 cups cooked rice.

step 5 Homemade Orange Chicken in an Air Fryer

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 481 kcal | Fat 14 g | Saturated Fat 3 g | Trans Fat 0 g | Polyunsaturated Fat 3 g | Monounsaturated Fat 8 g | Cholesterol 119 mg | Sodium 556 mg | Potassium 429 mg | Carbohydrate 54 g | Fiber 1 g | Sugar 3 g | Protein 30 g | Vitamin A 360 IU | Vitamin C 11 mg | Calcium 37 mg | Iron 4 mg