This Air Fryer Orange Chicken comes together in about 30 minutes and is cooked to crispy perfection in the air fryer for a quick and easy weeknight meal that your family will love! Switch up the chicken or even the orange flavor to suit your taste, or use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to get rid of those leftover veggies lying around. Trust me, this dish is going to become your new favorite go-to recipe!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken Breast
- Fresh Orange Zest
- Fresh Orange Juice
- Garlic (Minced)
- Ginger (Minced)
- Salt and Pepper
- Olive Oil or Cooking Spray
- Rice (For Serving)
Let’s Get Cooking!
How to Make Air Fryer Orange Chicken
Prep the Chicken: Start by cutting your chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. You want these to cook evenly, so aim for uniformity here!
Make the Marinade: In a bowl, mix together the orange zest, orange juice, minced garlic, minced ginger, salt, and pepper. This mix is going to create the most scrumptious marinade that will infuse your chicken with tons of flavor.
Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to your marinade and let it sit for about 10 minutes. This step is where the magic happens trust me, it’s worth the wait!
Preheat the Air Fryer: While the chicken is marinating, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). This step gets your air fryer hot and ready!
Prepare the Air Fryer Basket: Lightly coat the basket with olive oil or cooking spray. This ensures that your chicken won’t stick and will get that golden crispy finish.
Cook the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 12-15 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked, make sure to give the basket a shake halfway through for even cooking!
Serve Up the Goods: Serve the orange chicken over a bowl of rice. Drizzle with extra orange zest and a dash of sesame seeds if you’re feeling fancy!
Why This Air Fryer Orange Chicken Works for Me
I can honestly say this is my go-to recipe when I’m pressed for time, and my family is craving comfort food. I’m a real sucker for anything with that sweet and tangy flavor combo. The best part is, you can easily customize it. Have bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas lingering in your fridge? Toss them in with the chicken and let them roast together!
This dish has become a family favorite, serving up smiles and satisfied stomachs every single time it hits the dinner table. Last week, my little one, who usually just picks at her food, actually asked for seconds. I mean, what’s better than that?
If you loved this Air Fryer Orange Chicken, be sure to check out my Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins, my Air Fryer Chimichangas, or my Air Fryer Cabbage Wedges!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Orange Chicken
Quick & Easy
This Air Fryer Orange Chicken comes together all in under 30 minutes. Seriously! Perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something homemade but simply don’t have the time (or energy).
Comfort Food
Loaded with tons of flavor from the orange juice and spices, this dish has all the comfort food vibes you need after a long day. The crispy chicken combined with that sticky glaze? Just incredible comfort on a plate!
Crowd-Pleaser
Whether you’re serving up family dinner or entertaining friends. I can assure you, this dish is a crowd-pleaser. The whole family will love it, and you’ll love how easy it is to make!
Customizable
The secret to a delicious Air Fryer Orange Chicken is versatility. Feel free to switch up the veggies or protein to whatever you have on hand. You’ll make it your own; I promise!
Meal Prep Friendly
Going forward, you can prepare this dish in advance and simply heat it up when you’re ready! This makes it a fantastic option for meal prep lovers.
Serving & Storage
How to Serve This Air Fryer Orange Chicken
Serve your orange chicken on a bed of steaming rice white, brown, or even quinoa work perfectly. You might want to whip up a quick side of stir-fried vegetables or a fresh Asian slaw for a more complete meal.
Storage
Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container. Just be advised, the chicken may lose some of its crispiness when stored, but it’ll still be incredibly tasty!
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, simply pop the chicken back in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes until warmed through and slightly crispy again! Microwave is also an option, but it won’t have that crispy outside, just make sure you cover it to retain moisture.
Freezer Friendly?
Good news! Yes, it is freezer friendly! Just store the orange chicken in a freezer-safe container and it’ll last for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as indicated above.
A Few Parting Tips
Cooking is all about experimentation! Don’t hesitate to tweak this recipe to fit your family’s tastes. Maybe switch in some soy sauce for a salty kick, or try adding red pepper flakes for a little bit of warmth. Just remember, cooking should be fun, and this Air Fryer Orange Chicken perfectly embodies that spirit.
So, what are you waiting for? Get in that kitchen, and whip up this delicious dish tonight! You’ll thank yourself later! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Air Fryer Orange Chicken
Ingredients
Method
- Start by cutting your chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
- In a bowl, mix together the orange zest, orange juice, minced garlic, minced ginger, salt, and pepper to create the marinade.
- Add the chicken pieces to your marinade and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly coat the air fryer basket with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Place the marinated chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even cooking.
- Serve the orange chicken over a bowl of rice, drizzled with extra orange zest and sesame seeds if desired.