This better-than-take-out air fryer orange chicken is crispy, juicy, and coated in a healthy homemade orange sauce. Ready in under 15 minutes, it’s gluten-free and made without refined sugar, oil, or flour. Perfect for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner!
Healthy homemade air fryer orange chicken
I love air fryer recipes because they are so easy, clean up is a breeze, and you don’t have to cook with oil. I’ve been called the air fryer master, so my recipes will not disappoint! They all have five starts. Besides this insanely delicious homemade orange chicken, some of my (and your) favorites are these air fryer teriyaki chicken, extra crispy tofu, and air fryer shishito peppers. I honestly can’t rank them because they are all so delicious.
Homemade orange chicken is actually super easy to make. It may seem intimidating, but don’t worry; you’ll be in and out of the chicken in 15 minutes. The chicken nuggets are air-fried to perfection and super moist, and you don’t need oil or flour. Plus, unlike other recipes, this orange sauce is made from fresh oranges, meaning it’s refined sugar-free.
I have eaten a lot of orange chicken, and this one trumps them all. Why? Most other recipes call for oil to fry the chicken, flour to coat the nuggets, and sugar cane to sweeten the orange sauce. Some recipes even call for non-basic ingredients like oyster sauce and chili sauce. But don’t worry, I have you covered. This air fryer orange chicken uses simple ingredients: healthy, gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo.
Whether you are a great cook or a beginner, this recipe is for you. Make it on date night, for a family dinner, for your kids, or for yourself. Everyone will be impressed with your cooking skills. I cannot wait to hear what you think of this recipe! By the way, I first published this orange chicken recipe in 2021; I am just updating the content and pictures.
Why you’ll love this air fryer recipe:
- 15-Minute Recipe: such a quick and easy weeknight meal.
- No Oil: There is no oil in this air fryer recipe.
- Healthy: The chicken is coated in a healthy homemade orange sauce without refined sugar.
- No Flour: You don’t need to coat the chicken in flour and then fry it.
- No Added Refined Sugar: The orange sauce is sweetened with freshly squeezed orange juice.
- Fits all Diets: This orange chicken is gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo.
- So Crispy & Juicy: The chicken nuggets are moist with nice and crisp edges.
- Kid-Approved: This orange chicken is not spicy, and kids love it.
- Meal Prep Friendly: You can store air fryer orange chicken in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Try this air fryer teriyaki chicken next!
Ingredients needed
You only need a few healthy and wholesome ingredients to make homemade air fryer orange chicken. It’s made dairy-free and gluten-free and has over 26 grams of protein per serving. Here is a list of everything you need so you are prepared:
- Chicken: Grab three skinless and boneless pieces of chicken breast. You’ll need to cut them into bite-sized nuggets before air-frying them.
- Sesame Oil: You only need 1 teaspoon to create that authentic orange chicken take-out flavor. It also helps coat the chicken pieces in the starch.
- Arrowroot Starch: This makes the chicken nuggets get crispy in the air fryer without any oil, flour, or eggs. It also helps thicken the homemade orange sauce. Don’t worry if you don’t have arrowroot starch; I left a few ingredient substitutions below.
- Oranges: You’ll need the juice from 2 to 3 oranges and the zest from one of them. This ensures the best-tasting, freshest orange chicken. If needed, you can use no-sugar-added store-bought orange juice.
- Chicken Broth: To give this healthy orange sauce the best flavor.
- Soy Sauce: I highly recommend using low-sodium soy sauce. If you’re gluten-free, like my boyfriend, use tamari.
- Rice Vinegar: A dash of rice vinegar adds flavor and some acidity to this sauce.
- Honey: To naturally sweeten this orange sauce, we will use 2 – 3 Tablespoons of honey. There are no added refined sugars in this recipe.
- Garlic: Don’t forget the garlic. Freshly minced is best, but you can also use pre-minced, frozen garlic cubes or garlic powder as a last resort.
- Ginger: There is something incredible about freshly grated ginger. It adds the best flavor to this healthy homemade orange sauce. You can use ginger powder, too, so I left instructions below in the “substitutions” section.
- Salt and Pepper: Add and adjust based on your taste.
Kitchen tools needed:
Here is a quick list of kitchen utensils you’ll need to make this 15-minute air fryer orange chicken recipe:
- Air Fryer
- Mixing bowl
- Saucepan
- Stirring utensil
- Measuring cups and spoons
How to make homemade air fryer orange chicken
This delicious, healthy air fryer orange chicken comes together in under 15 minutes. It’s an easy weeknight dinner and meal prep recipe everyone will love! Here are detailed step-by-step instructions with pictures for visual reference so any level cook can make them; scroll to the bottom of this post for the full recipe and ingredient measurements.
Step 1:
Start by preheating your air fryer to 360°F and spraying it with non-stick spray.
Step 2:
Toss the chicken pieces with arrowroot starch and sesame oil in a large mixing bowl.
Step 3:
Once the air fryer is heated, spray it with cooking spray and add the chicken to the basket, ensuring the pieces are spaced and not overlapping. If your air fryer is small, do this in two batches.
Step 4:
Air fry for 8–10 minutes until the chicken is cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Step 5:
While the chicken is cooking, zest one orange and dissolve the arrowroot starch in the chicken broth. Set both aside.
Step 6:
Combine fresh orange juice, low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, and ginger in a small saucepan over medium-high heat over medium heat. Bring the sauce to a quick boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and whisk in the arrowroot starch broth.
Step 7:
Then, add the orange zest and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, whisking continually until the sauce thickens. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed.
Step 8:
Finally, add the cooked chicken pieces to the saucepan with the orange sauce. Gently toss to coat and remove from heat.
Step 9:
Now it’s time to enjoy your crispy, saucy air fryer orange chicken! Serve the orange chicken warm on a bed of rice with a side of your favorite vegetables (I love broccoli) and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Expert recipe tips:
- Space Out Chicken Pieces: This is my #1 tip. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure your chicken cooks evenly and gets crispy. If needed, cook the chicken in smaller batches.
- Don’t Skip the Orange Zest: This is the most important ingredient for flavor. Ensure you have at least one orange to make this recipe so you can zest it.
- Use Starch, Not Flour: Opt for arrowroot starch, cornstarch, or tapioca flour instead of all-purpose flour for coating the chicken. It helps create a crispier texture.
- Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, choose fresh orange juice, garlic cloves, and ginger when making the sauce.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: If the sauce is too thick or thin, fix it by adding more broth to thin it out or simmering longer to thicken it up.
- Meal Prepping Tips: Store any leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for 4-5 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven to keep them crispy.
What to serve with orange chicken
When serving homemade orange chicken, you can pair it with various sides to create a balanced and satisfying meal. Here are some popular options:
- Steamed Rice: I love brown or Jasmine rice.
- Vegetables (e.g., broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas): Try these air fryer shishito peppers, air fryer green beans, or a simple steamed broccoli.
- Noodles (e.g., lo mein, rice noodles)
- Salad: Try this spicy cucumber salad.
- Fried Rice: You’ll love this healthy fried rice recipe.
- Spring Rolls: Try these homemade air fryer spring rolls (so good)!
- Quinoa or Couscous: Instead of rice, try one of these grains.
Easy ingredient substitutions
Since this is one of my first recipes on the internet, I’ve made them hundreds of times. Here’s a list of the best, easy ingredient substitutions. I only recommend swapping a maximum of two so the original recipe doesn’t change drastically:
- Fresh Orange Juice: If you only have one orange, you can use store-bought organic juice (just try to buy one that has zero added sugar). Don’t skip the orange zest!
- Rice Vinegar: You can substitute rice vinegar with white wine vinegar one-for-one.
- Fresh Ginger: You can use 1 teaspoon of dried ginger powder.
- Chicken Broth: You can use vegetable broth instead.
- Honey: You can use maple syrup, coconut sugar, or light brown sugar.
- Arrowroot Starch: Feel free to use tapioca flour or cornstarch instead.
- Soy Sauce: You can use tamari if you’re gluten-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is orange chicken?
Orange chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish with battered and fried chicken pieces coated in a tangy, sweet orange sauce. This air fryer orange chicken recipe is a healthier version of the classic dish; we don’t batter the chicken in flour, fry it in oil, or add sugar to the orange sauce.
How does air frying compare to traditional frying for orange chicken?
Air frying uses hot air circulation to cook food, producing a crispy texture similar to traditional frying but with less oil, making it a healthier alternative.
Is orange chicken spicy?
Traditionally, orange chicken is not spicy. However, some recipes may include chili flakes or other spicy ingredients for added heat.
Can orange chicken be made gluten-free?
Yes, orange chicken can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free soy sauce or tamari and ensuring that any other ingredients used are gluten-free. This recipe is 100% gluten-free as is.
What makes this air fryer orange chicken recipe healthy?
This homemade air fryer orange chicken recipe is healthy. First, it is refined sugar-free since the sauce is sweetened with fresh oranges and a dash of honey. Second, there is no added oil, and the chicken is not deep-fried. Third, it is high in protein. Fourth, it is gluten-free and flourless. Lastly, it only calls for simple, fresh, and good ingredients that will leave you feeling nourishing and full.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes, you can use chicken thigh instead of chicken breast. To do this, reduce the air frying time by 2 minutes until the center of the chicken reaches 165°F.
Can I make it in the oven?
Yes! If you don’t have an air fryer, you can easily bake this healthy orange chicken in the oven. Follow all the steps in the recipe, but instead of air-frying, bake the chicken bites at 400 degrees for 15 – 22 minutes or until thoroughly cooked through.
Can you freeze air fryer orange chicken?
Yes, you can freeze air fryer orange chicken. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
How to store and reheat orange chicken:
Storing: Place leftovers into individual airtight containers and store them in the refrigerator for 3 – 4 days.
Reheating: To reheat the air fryer orange chicken, preheat the air fryer to 350°F and cook for 5-7 minutes until heated through and crispy.
If you loved this recipe, try one of these recipes next!
- Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
- Asian Chicken Meatballs
- Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Bites
- Teriyaki Salmon Buddha Bowls
- Gluten-Free Chicken Pad Thai
- Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice
- Spicy Chicken Bulgogi
- Healthy Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
Air Fryer Orange Chicken
Ingredients
The Chicken:
- 1 pound chicken breast, skinless and boneless, cut into 1-inch bite-size pieces
- 2 tbsp arrowroot starch
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- Sesame seeds and green onion, for garnish
The Healthy Orange Sauce:
- 1 tbsp arrowroot starch
- 1 cup orange juice, about large 3 oranges
- ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce, or tamari if gluten-free
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp orange zest, about 1 large orange
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the chicken pieces with arrowroot starch and sesame oil.
- Once the air fryer is heated, spray it with cooking spray and add the chicken to the basket, ensuring the pieces are spaced out and not overlapping. If your air fryer is small, do this in two batches.
- Air fry for 8–10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- While the chicken is cooking, zest one orange and dissolve the arrowroot starch in the chicken broth. Set both aside.
- In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine fresh orange juice, low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, and ginger. Bring the sauce to a quick boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and whisk in the arrowroot starch broth.
- Add the orange zest and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, whisking continually until the sauce thickens. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Add the cooked chicken pieces to the saucepan with the orange sauce. Gently toss to coat and remove from heat.
- Serve the orange chicken warm on a bed of rice with a side of your favorite vegetables (I love broccoli). Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Enjoy your delicious air-fried orange chicken!
Notes
Nutrition
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Saskia says
Super good. I thought that the recipe was easy to follow and the orange sauce was not difficult to make. I did use cornstarch and it turned out well. I will be making again soon – thank you.
Andrea says
SO GOOD! Thanks for such an amazing recipe. It was easy to make and really flavorful (how is this healthy?!)
Kylie says
Unreal how good this was…… made this for me and my boyfriend last week! Incredibly easy and flavorful! Def make these if you have a air fryer.
Kate says
Easy, delicious, and so easy. This orange sauce is AMAZING!