Air Fryer Orange Chicken: Is It Possible?

Orange chicken is a popular takeout dish that can also be made at home in an air fryer. It is a sweet and mildly spicy dish that is usually deep-fried or pan-fried. The air fryer version, however, uses far less oil, making it a healthier alternative. The dish is easy to make, with a simple marinade and a sticky-sweet orange sauce. The chicken is coated in a flour and cornstarch mixture, or potato starch for extra crispiness, and then cooked in the air fryer for about 10 minutes. The sauce is made with orange juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, and other ingredients, and is cooked separately on the stovetop. The dish is best served immediately with rice and steamed vegetables.

Marinating the chicken

Firstly, prepare the chicken by cutting it into bite-sized pieces. You can use chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or chicken tenderloins, ensuring that the pieces are uniform in size to allow for even cooking. It is important to note that chicken breasts tend to dry out faster than thighs, so keep that in mind when selecting your protein.

Next, create the marinade mixture. In a medium-sized bowl, combine ingredients such as rice vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, salt, and pepper. You can also add other spices and seasonings to enhance the flavour, such as chilli flakes or garlic powder. Mix these ingredients well, creating a well-blended marinade.

Now, it's time to add the chicken to the marinade. Place the chicken pieces in the bowl with the marinade and stir well to ensure that each piece is thoroughly coated. Use your hands or a spoon to gently toss the chicken, ensuring that the marinade is evenly distributed. Once the chicken is well-coated, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or foil.

For the best results, it is recommended to marinate the chicken for at least 20 minutes. However, if you have the time, you can marinate it for longer. Some recipes suggest marinating for up to 24 hours, keeping the chicken refrigerated if the marinating time exceeds 20 minutes. The longer marination time allows the flavours to penetrate the chicken more deeply, resulting in a more flavourful dish.

After the chicken has finished marinating, you can proceed to the next steps of the recipe, which typically involve coating the chicken in a dry mixture (flour, cornstarch, or potato starch) and then air-frying it to crispy perfection. The specific cooking instructions may vary slightly depending on the recipe you are following, but the marinating process remains a consistent and crucial step in creating delicious Air Fryer Orange Chicken.

Preparing the coating

Firstly, prepare your chicken by cutting it into bite-sized pieces. You can use chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or chicken tenderloins, ensuring they are uniform in size to allow for even cooking.

Next, prepare your marinade. In a medium bowl, combine ingredients such as rice vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, salt, and pepper. You can also add other spices or ingredients like garlic or red pepper flakes to enhance the flavor. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and stir well to coat. Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate. The minimum time for marinating is about 15 to 20 minutes, but for a more intense flavor, you can leave it overnight in the refrigerator.

Once your chicken is done marinating, it's time to create the coating. You can use different ingredients for this step, depending on your preference. Some recipes call for a simple dredge in flour or cornstarch, while others use a combination of flour and cornstarch. For a crispier texture, you can also add breadcrumbs to the coating mixture. Dip each chicken piece into the coating mixture, ensuring it's completely covered.

After coating the chicken in the dry mixture, it's time to dunk it in egg. This step will help the dry coating adhere to the chicken and create a crispy texture. You can use a bowl of beaten eggs for this step, ensuring each piece is well-coated.

Finally, for an extra crispy coating, double-dip the chicken by dredging it again in the flour or cornstarch mixture. Make sure each piece is thoroughly coated before placing them in the air fryer basket. This double-coating technique will ensure a crispy exterior for your orange chicken.

Now that your chicken is coated, you can proceed to cook it in your air fryer. Remember to preheat your air fryer and use cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking and promote even browning. Enjoy your delicious and crispy Air Fryer Orange Chicken!

Cooking the chicken

Next, prepare your marinade. A simple marinade of soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, salt, and pepper is a great base, but feel free to add other ingredients like honey or brown sugar for extra flavour. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and let it sit for at least 20 minutes or even overnight for maximum flavour penetration.

After marinating, it's time to coat the chicken. Start by dredging each piece in a flour mixture (you can use flour, cornstarch, or potato starch for this step). Then, dip the chicken into a beaten egg, and finally, dredge it again in the flour mixture to ensure a complete coating.

Now you're ready to air fry! Preheat your air fryer to between 350-400°F. Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't touch each other to allow proper air circulation. Spray or brush the chicken with oil, and then air fry for 5-10 minutes until golden brown. Flip the pieces over, and continue air frying for another 5-10 minutes until cooked through and crispy.

The key to achieving that signature crispy texture is a technique called "double frying". This involves cooking the chicken at a lower temperature first (around 350°F) and then giving it a second fry at a higher temperature (400°F) for a shorter time. This ensures the chicken cooks through without burning the coating, resulting in a crispier final product.

While the chicken is air frying, you can prepare the signature orange sauce. Combine orange juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, orange zest, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan. Bring this to a boil and cook until the sauce thickens and reduces slightly.

Once the chicken is cooked, toss it in the sauce, making sure each piece is well coated. Serve immediately to enjoy that crispy texture! You can garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, and pair it with rice or steamed vegetables for a delicious and healthy meal.

Making the sauce

While the chicken is cooking, it's the perfect time to make the signature sticky-sweet orange sauce. The sauce is what makes this dish so special, with its unique combination of sweet and savoury flavours.

To make the sauce, you'll need a few simple ingredients: orange juice, brown sugar, soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free option), rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. You can also add some orange zest for an extra punch of orange flavour. If you like your food with a kick, you can include some chilli paste or chilli flakes, but this is optional and can be left out for a milder sauce.

In a medium-sized bowl, start by whisking together the orange juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, and cornstarch. Make sure they are well combined. Then, in a small saucepan, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes to the pan and cook until they are fragrant, which should take about 2 minutes. You can also add the orange zest at this stage if you are using it.

Now it's time to add the orange juice mixture to the pan. Bring it to a boil and let it cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and reduces. This should take around 10 minutes, and you should end up with about 1 1/4 cups of sauce. Finally, add a drizzle of oil and stir it through. Your sauce is now ready to be poured over the cooked chicken.

If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can try a slurry mixture. Mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of water, then add this mixture to your orange sauce. Cook the sauce for about three minutes, stirring regularly, until it starts to thicken. Once it reaches your desired consistency, add the orange zest and mix well.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer orange chicken is best served immediately to maintain its crispiness. It is a great dish to serve with rice, especially steamed jasmine rice or easy fried rice. It also goes well with cauliflower rice for a lighter or paleo-friendly option.

You can also serve it with steamed or roasted broccoli, allowing the extra sauce to be drizzled over the vegetable. If you're looking for a low-carb side, you can serve this dish over simple air-fried vegetables, letting them soak up the extra sauce in place of grains.

For garnish, you can sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped scallions or green onions on top. You can also add a little Himalayan salt to the chicken as it cooks.

Frequently asked questions