Air Fryer Orange Chicken
Ready in about 29 minutes.
Published by the RecipeAirFryer editorial team · How we source times · Updated
Times and temperatures come from our reviewed cooking database. Explanatory text on each page is generated from that entry so the numbers stay consistent.
Crispy chicken in a bright, sticky orange glaze balancing sweet and tangy, a beloved Chinese-American classic. The air fryer crisps the coating beautifully so it holds up under the glossy citrus sauce.
Written for 4. Cook in batches rather than stacking if you scale up.
Ingredients
- 600 g chicken breast, cubed
- 4 tbsp cornflour
- 1 egg, beaten
- Zest and juice of 2 oranges
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Oil spray
Method
- 1Coat the chicken in egg then cornflour.
- 2Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F) and spray with oil.
- 3Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden and crisp.
- 4Simmer the orange juice and zest, soy, sugar, vinegar and garlic until syrupy.
- 5Check the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F), then toss in the sauce.
- 6Garnish with sesame seeds and serve with rice.
Tips for the best results
- Fresh orange juice gives a brighter flavour than bottled.
- A cornflour slurry thickens the glaze so it clings.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Crowding the basket so air fryer orange chicken steams instead of browning.
- Skipping the shake every 8 min, which leaves one side pale.
- Trusting the clock instead of a probe - Air Fryer Orange Chicken is ready at 74°C / 165°F in the thickest part.
- Letting wet coating pieces touch, which peels the crust and keeps it soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature and time for air fryer orange chicken?
A typical starting point is 200°C / 400°F for 12-15 min, shake every 8 min. Thickness and wattage change the finish, so check early.
How do I know air fryer orange chicken is cooked through?
Use a probe in the thickest part. Air Fryer Orange Chicken should reach 74°C / 165°F. Rest a few minutes before slicing so juices settle.
How many people does air fryer orange chicken serve?
This recipe is written for 4. For a fuller basket, cook in batches rather than stacking, or add a couple of minutes and shake more often.