Air-Fryer Orange Chicken: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Air fryer orange chicken is a tasty, gluten-free and dairy-free dish that can be cooked in under 30 minutes. The chicken is cooked in the air fryer, while the sauce is made on the hob. The chicken is coated in cornstarch and breadcrumbs and cooked in the air fryer for around 10 minutes. The sauce is made by combining orange juice, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, red pepper flakes and orange zest in a saucepan.

How to cut chicken for air frying

To cut chicken for air frying, it is recommended that you cut the chicken into 1 1/2-inch cubes. The cubes do not need to be perfect, but they should be as consistent in size as possible. This will allow them to cook evenly, preventing some pieces from being overcooked and dried out, while others remain undercooked.

To start, cut your chicken breasts into strips, then cut the strips into cubes. Place the cubed chicken into a bowl or Ziploc bag and add in 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, then add a little at a time to ensure there is no excess cornstarch.

How to make the sauce

To make the sauce, combine orange juice, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, red pepper flakes, and orange zest in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Alternatively, you can add minced garlic to a pot with oil and sauté until lightly golden brown. Then, add the remaining ingredients (aside from water and starch) and bring to a low simmer. Whisk together the cornstarch and water and add to the pot with the sauce.

To thicken the sauce, add 2 tablespoons of neutral oil to a large pan or wok over high heat. Fry your garlic and ginger for 15 seconds, then immediately add your sauce and stir until thickened, which should take about 1-2 minutes.

How to double fry chicken

To double fry chicken in an air fryer, start by preheating your air fryer to 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut your chicken into 1 1/2-inch cubes, ensuring they are as consistent in size as possible to allow for even cooking. Place the cubed chicken into a bowl or Ziploc bag and add cornstarch or potato starch. Mix or shake to combine and coat the chicken evenly.

Next, add the coated chicken to the air fryer, tapping off any excess cornstarch. Cook for 7-14 minutes, shaking the basket every few minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. If your chicken pieces are stuck together, try to separate them.

After the first round of frying, remove the chicken from the air fryer and increase the temperature to a higher setting. Add another coat of cooking spray to the chicken and return it to the air fryer. Fry at the higher temperature for a shorter period, typically 1-2 minutes, until the batter is crispy.

While the chicken is cooking, you can prepare the orange sauce. Combine orange juice, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, red pepper flakes, and orange zest in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

For an extra crispy texture, you can also double fry the garlic and ginger before adding the sauce. Simply heat some neutral oil in a pan or wok over high heat and fry the garlic and ginger for 15 seconds before adding the sauce and stirring until thickened.

How to marinate chicken

To make orange chicken in an air fryer, you'll need to cut your chicken into 1 1/2-inch cubes. Place the cubed chicken into a bowl and toss with soy sauce. Set aside to marinate for about 15 minutes. After the chicken has marinated, toss it with cornstarch or potato starch. Make sure the chicken is evenly coated, and tap off any excess starch. Preheat your air fryer to 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Add the chicken to the air fryer in a single layer and cook for 7-14 minutes, tossing halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your chicken.

How to know when chicken is cooked

To cook orange chicken in an air fryer, first cut your chicken into 1 1/2-inch cubes. Place the cubed chicken into a bowl and toss with soy sauce. Set aside to marinate for about 15 minutes. Preheat your air fryer to 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Toss the chicken with cornstarch, then toss with breadcrumbs. Add to your air fryer in a single layer and cook for 10-14 minutes, tossing halfway.

To know when chicken is cooked, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, making sure it doesn't touch any bone. If the chicken is not yet at the right temperature, continue cooking and check again in a few minutes.

You can also tell if chicken is cooked by looking at its colour. Raw chicken is usually a pinkish colour, while cooked chicken is white or opaque. If you're cooking breaded chicken, the breading should be golden brown when it's ready.

It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts. It's always better to overcook chicken than to undercook it, as raw chicken can be dangerous to eat.

Frequently asked questions