Tillie Doyle
Air fryers are a great way to cook InnovAsian Orange Chicken, with the convenience of a quicker cooking time and less oil than traditional frying methods. The dish is a tasty, sweet and tangy blend of Asian-inspired cuisine, with a sticky orange sauce. The chicken is cooked to perfection, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The air fryer's even circulation of hot air ensures a beautifully golden and caramelized exterior, locking in flavour. The convenience of air frying frozen orange chicken is unbeatable, with no long preheating times and less mess from splattering oil. The result is a delicious, healthier meal that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
How to cook InnovAsian Orange Chicken in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preheat temperature | 400°F |
| Preheat time | 10 minutes |
| Chicken preparation | Cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes |
| Chicken coating | Cornstarch or potato starch |
| Cooking time | 10 minutes each side |
| Sauce preparation | Combine orange juice, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, red pepper flakes, and orange zest |
| Sauce cooking time | 5 minutes |
| Sauce thickener | Cornstarch and water |
| Sauce thickening time | 1 minute |
| Serving suggestions | Rice, steamed vegetables, or noodles |
| Leftovers | Store in an airtight container |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures your food cooks evenly and efficiently. To preheat your air fryer to 400°F, follow these steps:
Firstly, check your air fryer's manual for specific preheating instructions. Different models may have slightly different recommendations, so it's important to refer to the manufacturer's guidelines. Most air fryers will take around 10 minutes to preheat to 400°F, but this can vary.
While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your chicken. Cut the chicken into 1 1/2-inch cubes, aiming for consistency in size. This will ensure that the chicken cooks evenly, with no pieces overcooked or undercooked. Place the cubed chicken into a bowl or sealable bag, and add cornstarch or potato starch. Mix or shake to combine, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated.
Tap off any excess starch before placing the chicken into the air fryer basket. It's important to ensure the basket is not overcrowded, with the chicken pieces arranged in a single, even layer. This allows for proper air circulation and even cooking.
Once your air fryer reaches 400°F, you can add the chicken and begin the cooking process. Depending on your air fryer model, you may need to adjust the cooking time.
Remember, preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in achieving the desired cooking results. By following these steps, you'll be on your way to cooking InnovAsian Orange Chicken like a pro!
Grapeseed Oil in an Air Fryer: Safe or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cut chicken into 1 1/2-inch cubes
To cut chicken into 1 1/2-inch cubes, start by trimming any excess fat or cartilage from the chicken breasts or thighs. Then, using a sharp knife, slice the chicken into strips that are approximately 1 1/2 inches thick. Next, cut these strips into cubes of a similar size. It is important to try and keep the size of the cubes as consistent as possible. This will ensure that the chicken cooks evenly in the air fryer.
Once you have cut the chicken into evenly sized cubes, place them in a bowl or plastic bag. Add cornstarch or potato starch to the container, and mix or shake until the chicken pieces are evenly coated. The starch will help to create a crispy, golden coating on the chicken when it is cooked in the air fryer.
It is important to note that cornstarch and potato starch can be messy to work with. They are light and airy, so they can easily become airborne and create a cloud of powder. Be careful to tap off any excess starch before adding the chicken to the air fryer, as too much starch can cause problems.
By following these steps and paying attention to the details, you will be able to cut chicken into 1 1/2-inch cubes that are perfect for air frying. This will ensure that your Innovasian Orange Chicken has a delicious crispy texture and a beautiful golden colour.
Air-Fried Breaded Shrimp: A Quick, Crispy Treat
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Add cornstarch or potato starch to chicken
When preparing the chicken, cut it into 1 1/2-inch cubes. The pieces don't need to be perfect, but you want them as consistent in size as possible. This allows them to cook evenly without some being overcooked and dried out, and others still undercooked. Place the cubed chicken into a bowl or Ziploc bag and add the cornstarch or potato starch. Mix or shake to combine and coat the chicken evenly.
It is recommended to add half the cornstarch at first and then add a little at a time to ensure there is no excess. You want just enough to cover the chicken. Adding too much cornstarch or potato starch can make a mess, as the starch is light and airy, and will fly around the air fryer. This will make it look like a snow globe blew up.
Tap any excess starch off the chicken before placing it in the air fryer. The starch should be cooked following the directions for the chicken. While the chicken is cooking, you can make the orange sauce. Combine the orange juice, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, red pepper flakes, and orange zest into a small saucepan on medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. In a separate small bowl, mix the additional cornstarch and water to create a slurry. This will help thicken the sauce so it’s not too thin.
Mix the cornstarch and water mixture into the sauce and simmer for one additional minute, then remove from the heat. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools. Finally, remove the chicken from the air fryer and combine it with the sauce.
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Strips: Is It Possible?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cook for 7-10 minutes
Once the air fryer is preheated to 400°F, it's time to add the chicken. Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single, even layer. This is important as it allows for even cooking and prevents overcrowding. Do not add the sauce to the chicken at this stage, as it will burn. Instead, heat the sauce separately and add it to the chicken after cooking.
Now, it's time to cook the chicken. Set the timer for 7 to 10 minutes. During this time, the hot air in the air fryer will circulate around the chicken pieces, cooking them evenly. The exact cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model and the size of the chicken pieces, so keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook.
While the chicken is cooking, you can prepare the orange sauce. In a small saucepan, combine orange juice, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, red pepper flakes, and orange zest. Bring this mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes. In a separate bowl, create a slurry by mixing cornstarch and water. This slurry will help thicken the sauce.
After the sauce has simmered for 5 minutes, add the cornstarch and water mixture and stir it in. Let the sauce simmer for one more minute, then remove it from the heat. Remember, the sauce will continue to thicken as it cools, so don't over-thicken it.
Air Fryer Frozen Bacon: Quick, Crispy, Delicious
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Heat the sauce separately
To cook InnovAsian orange chicken in an air fryer, it is recommended that you heat the sauce separately. This is because the sauce contains a lot of sugar, which can easily burn and stick to the air fryer basket.
To heat the sauce separately, you can use a small saucepan on medium heat. Combine the orange juice, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, red pepper flakes, and orange zest. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. In a separate small bowl, create a slurry by mixing cornstarch and water. This will help to thicken the sauce. Add this mixture to the sauce and simmer for an additional minute before removing it from the heat. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools, so you can add a little water if it becomes too thick.
While the sauce is heating, you can cook the chicken in the air fryer. Place the frozen chicken in the air fryer basket, ensuring it is in a single, even layer to allow for even cooking. You can cook the chicken at 400°F for about 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to toss the pieces.
Once the chicken is cooked, you can combine it with the sauce. You can return the sauced chicken to the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp up, but be careful not to overcook it.
By heating the sauce separately, you can ensure that the chicken doesn't burn and that the sauce is the desired consistency. This method also allows you to adjust the thickness of the sauce to your preference.
Air Fryer Tater Tots: Get Them Perfectly Crispy
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Cut your chicken into 1 1/2-inch cubes and place them in a bowl or Ziploc bag. Add cornstarch or potato starch, mix, and shake to combine and coat the chicken evenly. Tap off any excess starch and add the chicken to the air fryer. Cook for 7-10 minutes. While the chicken is cooking, make the orange sauce by combining orange juice, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, red pepper flakes, and orange zest in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 5 minutes, then mix in cornstarch and water to thicken the sauce. Remove the chicken from the air fryer, combine it with the sauce, and serve.
The recommended temperature for cooking InnovAsian Orange Chicken in an air fryer is 400°F. However, it's important to note that air fryers can vary, so you may need to adjust the temperature and cooking time based on your specific model.
The cooking time for InnovAsian Orange Chicken in an air fryer can vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer. On average, it takes about 7-10 minutes to cook the chicken, and an additional 3-5 minutes to cook the sauced chicken.
