Description

This Air Fryer Orange Chicken recipe offers a deliciously crispy and tangy twist on classic Chinese takeout, made healthier by air frying instead of deep frying. Tender boneless chicken thighs are coated in cornstarch, air fried to perfection, then tossed in a vibrant homemade orange sauce bursting with flavor. Ready in under 40 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal served over steamed rice and garnished with green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup cornstarch

Orange Sauce

1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
Zest of 1 orange

For Garnish and Serving

Green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
Cooked rice (for serving)

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Instructions

Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) to ensure a hot cooking environment for crispy chicken.
Coat Chicken: In a medium-sized bowl, toss the chicken thigh pieces with cornstarch until they are fully and evenly coated for a crispy texture.
Prepare for Air Frying: Place the coated chicken pieces in the preheated air fryer basket, shaking off any excess cornstarch for even cooking.
Air Fry Chicken: Air fry the chicken for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through to ensure even browning on all sides.
Make Orange Sauce: While the chicken cooks, combine orange juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and orange zest in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
Combine Chicken and Sauce: Transfer the cooked chicken to a large mixing bowl and pour the freshly prepared orange sauce over it. Gently toss to coat every piece evenly with the flavorful sauce.
Serve: Serve the sauced orange chicken hot over cooked rice for a complete meal.
Garnish and Enjoy: Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for added texture and flavor before serving.

Notes

Using boneless skinless chicken thighs keeps the meat tender and juicy.
Tossing chicken in cornstarch helps achieve a crispy coating in the air fryer.
Adjust the red pepper flakes to control the level of heat.
Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary for best results.
The orange sauce can be made ahead and reheated when ready to serve.