This crispy Air Fryer Orange Chicken is everything I want in a weeknight meal—flavorful, quick, and just a little bit addicting. It’s naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, and comes together in around 30 minutes. And yes, I’m officially air fryer obsessed. It’s a total game changer—faster than the oven, crispier than the stove, and honestly? It makes chicken taste like takeout… in the best way.
This orange chicken is sweet, tangy, a little spicy, and full of that signature crunch you expect from your favorite restaurant version. Except this one’s a healthier twist—with just honey to sweeten, and no deep frying required.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy coating without the oil
- Customizable heat and sweetness (hi, sriracha lovers!)
- 30-minute dinner win
- Naturally gluten & dairy-free
It’s the perfect “better than takeout” recipe, and if you’re into big flavor, you’re going to want to drizzle this orange sauce on everything.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what goes into this simple orange chicken:
- Chicken breast – diced into bite-sized pieces. You can use thighs too for extra juiciness!
- Soy sauce – or coconut aminos for a gluten-free or paleo-friendly version.
- Cornstarch & breadcrumbs – for that crispy outer layer. Arrowroot or tapioca starch work too.
- Minced garlic – sautéed to flavor the sauce.
- Honey – adds natural sweetness.
- Orange juice & zest – for that citrus punch.
- Rice vinegar, sriracha, and sesame oil – to balance sweet, tangy, and spicy.
How to Make Air Fryer Orange Chicken
1. Marinate the Chicken
Toss your cubed chicken with soy sauce and let it sit for 15 minutes while you prep everything else. This helps lock in flavor.
2. Preheat & Coat
Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Toss the chicken in cornstarch and breadcrumbs—do this all at once so the crumbs actually stick.
3. Air Fry
Add the chicken to your air fryer in a single layer (you may need to work in batches). Cook for 10–14 minutes, tossing halfway through.
4. Make the Orange Sauce
While the chicken cooks, sauté garlic in a little oil until golden. Add the rest of the sauce ingredients except the cornstarch slurry. Simmer briefly.
5. Thicken the Sauce
Whisk cornstarch with water and stir into the simmering sauce. Cook a few more minutes until thickened, then remove from heat to cool.
6. Toss & Serve
Let the crispy chicken cool for a few minutes, then pour on about 2/3 of the sauce and toss to coat. Save the rest for drizzling over veggies or rice when serving.
Make It a Meal
I love pairing this orange chicken with steamed broccoli and jasmine rice. Cauliflower rice is great if you want a lighter or paleo-friendly option. Drizzle leftover sauce over the veggies—it’s too good to waste!
Oven Option
No air fryer? No problem. Bake the coated chicken at 400°F for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway. You’ll still get a crispy finish—just not quite as fast.
Tips for Best Results
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer – Cook in batches if needed for that perfect crisp.
- Cool the sauce slightly before tossing – It helps maintain the crunch.
- Serve right away – The crispy coating won’t last long once sauced.
Storing & Reheating
While it’s best fresh, you can store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop, and try not to overcrowd the pan to help retain some crisp. But just know—it’s never quite as crispy the second time around.
Air Fryer Orange Chicken
This crispy Air Fryer Orange Chicken is everything I want in a weeknight meal—flavorful, quick, and just a little bit addicting.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon low sodium tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons plain gluten free breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger or 1/2 teaspoon dried
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/4 cup honey (see notes)
- 1/4 cup low sodium tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2–3 teaspoons sriracha, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Add your cubed chicken breast to a bowl and toss with the tamari. Set aside to marinate for about 15 minutes.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Toss the chicken with the cornstarch and breadcrumbs. The breadcrumbs stick a bit more easily if you add them at the same time as the cornstarch.
- Add the coated chicken to your air fryer in a single layer. Cook for 10–14 minutes, tossing halfway through. Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your chicken. It’s done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- While the chicken is cooking, add the minced garlic to a pot with oil and sauté until lightly golden.
- Add all the remaining sauce ingredients except the cornstarch and water. Bring it to a low simmer.
- In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch and water together, then pour into the pot. Whisk and let simmer until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and allow it to cool slightly, which helps it thicken more.
- Once the chicken is done (cut into the largest piece to check doneness), let it cool slightly in a bowl.
- Pour half of the sauce over the chicken and toss to combine. This recipe makes a generous amount of sauce. You can add about two-thirds to the chicken and save the rest for serving.
- Serve immediately with steamed broccoli, rice, or enjoy it on its own.
Notes
- If you’re using full-strength soy sauce instead of low sodium, reduce the quantity to 2–3 tablespoons to avoid overpowering the flavor.
- You can substitute the honey with your preferred sweetener. This version isn’t as sweet as takeout-style orange chicken, so feel free to adjust sweetness to your taste.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 388Total Fat 8gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 96mgSodium 2036mgCarbohydrates 39gFiber 2gSugar 29gProtein 39g
dinnerbytes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although dinnerbytes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
