Description
A quick and convenient air fryer recipe for crispy, tangy orange chicken ready in just 30 minutes. Perfect for weeknights with a flavorful, crunchy coating and a bright orange glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ½ cup cornstarch (60g)
- 2 large eggs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup fresh orange juice (120ml)
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce (60ml)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (30ml)
- ⅓ cup brown sugar (70g)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil (15ml)
- Optional garnishes: thinly sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds
- Optional sides: steamed rice or cauliflower rice
Instructions
- Cut chicken thighs into 1.5-inch bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and pepper.
- Whisk eggs in one bowl. Place cornstarch in another bowl.
- Toss chicken pieces in egg wash, then dredge in cornstarch until fully coated. Shake off excess.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly drizzle chicken with oil and toss to coat.
- Place chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 7-8 minutes, flip, then cook another 7-8 minutes until golden and crispy and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- While chicken cooks, whisk together orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a medium saucepan.
- Simmer sauce over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick and glossy.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a large bowl. Pour warm orange sauce over chicken and gently toss to coat evenly.
- Serve immediately over steamed rice or preferred grain. Garnish with green onions and toasted sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook chicken in batches for best crispiness. Use fresh garlic and ginger for best flavor. If sauce thickens too much, stir in a splash of water or orange juice to loosen. Let sauce cool slightly before tossing with chicken to maintain crispiness. For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure cornstarch is pure.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 16
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 32
Keywords: orange chicken, air fryer recipe, crispy chicken, quick dinner, easy dinner, healthy orange chicken, weeknight meal