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Crispiest Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Close-up of crispy, glazed Air Fryer Orange Chicken pieces sprinkled with sesame seeds in a white bowl.
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Make crispy, sticky orange chicken quickly in your air fryer without deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large egg white
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • For the Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup orange juice, fresh squeezed preferred
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (slurry)
  • Zest of 1 orange

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, toss the cut chicken pieces with the egg white until lightly coated.
  2. In a separate bowl, mix the 1/4 cup cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken and toss until every piece has a light, even coating.
  3. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with oil. Place the coated chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
  4. Air fry the chicken at 380°F (195°C) for 10 minutes. Flip the pieces, then continue air frying for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C).
  5. While the chicken cooks, prepare the sauce. In a small saucepan, combine the orange juice, sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  6. Whisk the cornstarch slurry and slowly pour it into the simmering sauce while stirring constantly. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and stir in the orange zest.
  7. Place the cooked, crispy chicken back into a large bowl. Pour about two-thirds of the orange sauce over the chicken and toss gently until the chicken is evenly coated.
  8. Serve immediately, drizzling any remaining sauce over the top.

Notes

  • For extra crispiness, you can lightly spray the coated chicken with oil right before the first air fry cycle.
  • Do not add the sauce to the chicken before air frying, as this will prevent crisping and may cause burning.
  • If the sauce becomes too thick while resting, add a teaspoon of water to thin it slightly before tossing.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savorandpin.com/air-fryer-orange-chicken/