Description
This Air Fryer Orange Chicken recipe offers a healthier twist on a classic favorite. Crispy, tender chicken thighs are air fried to perfection and tossed in a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy homemade orange sauce. Quick to prepare and cook, it’s an ideal weeknight dinner served over steamed rice and garnished with green onions and toasted sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.
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
Garnish and Serving
- Green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Cooked rice (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat while you prepare the chicken.
- Coat Chicken in Cornstarch: In a medium bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken thigh pieces thoroughly with 1/2 cup cornstarch until each piece is fully coated, ensuring a crispy exterior once cooked.
- Prepare for Air Frying: Place the coated chicken pieces into the preheated air fryer basket, shaking off any excess cornstarch to prevent clumping.
- Air Fry Chicken: Cook the chicken in the air fryer for 15-18 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through to achieve even golden-brown crispiness.
- Make the 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. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens to coat the back of a spoon (approximately 5-7 minutes).
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Transfer the cooked chicken to a large bowl and pour the thickened orange sauce over it. Gently toss to coat all pieces evenly with the flavorful sauce.
- Serve: Plate the sauced orange chicken over a bed of cooked rice.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Top with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for a perfect finishing touch before serving.
Notes
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your heat preference.
- Chicken thighs are preferred for juiciness, but chicken breasts can be substituted for a leaner option.
- Ensure the air fryer basket is not overcrowded to allow even cooking and crisping of the chicken pieces.
- For a thicker sauce, let it simmer a little longer until desired consistency is reached.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
