Description
A delicious air fryer orange chicken recipe, perfect for a gluten-free meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) chicken breast, cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) low sodium tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon (8g) cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons (21g) plain gluten free breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 21/2 teaspoons (10g) fresh grated ginger or 1/21/2 teaspoon dried
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) oil
- 1 cup (240ml) orange juice
- 1 tablespoon (6g) orange zest
- 1/4 cup (60ml) honey
- 1/4 cup (60ml) low sodium tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) rice vinegar
- 2–31/2 teaspoons (10-15ml) sriracha or to taste
- 1 tablespoon (8g) cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) water
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Start by cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces, making sure they are fairly uniform for even cooking. The pieces should feel tender and soft to the touch, avoiding slicing them too small to prevent drying out.
- Season the Chicken: Toss the chicken pieces in a mix of cornstarch and seasonings until they are nicely coated. Ensure every piece gets a good layer without clumps for extra crunch.
- Prepare the Breadcrumbs: Mix the breadcrumbs with a little bit of cornstarch to help them stick to the chicken better. When you can smell the breadcrumbs, they are ready to be used.
- Coat the Chicken: Dunk the chicken pieces into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring they are fully covered with a firm yet light coating.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Place the coated chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Aim for a golden and crisp look, and keep an eye on them to avoid dry chicken.
- Make the Sauce: Combine the orange juice, soy sauce, honey, and garlic in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until simmering, allowing the flavors to meld without letting it boil too long.
- Coat the Chicken with Sauce: Once the chicken is done, drizzle the warm sauce over it in a bowl, ensuring each piece is covered with a gentle toss to maintain the coating.
- Serve & Enjoy: Serve your orange chicken warm, ideally over some steamed rice for the best crunch. Enjoy immediately to maintain the crispy texture.
Notes
- Storage Tips: Best served immediately but can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat on the stove; note that the crispiness will be lost.
- Expert Tips: Reduce cook time by 2 minutes if chicken turns out dry. To balance out a sauce that tastes too acidic, add an extra tablespoon of honey. For better breadcrumb adhesion, mix them with cornstarch before coating the chicken. Stick to adding an extra tablespoon of honey instead of brown sugar if you desire a sweeter option. For the crispiest results, serve your air fryer orange chicken right after cooking.
- Reheating Instructions: Reheat on the stove over medium heat until warm, keeping in mind that the crispiness will diminish.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve with jasmine rice for a hearty meal. Pair with steamed broccoli for added nutrition. Enjoy over cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative.
- Recipe Variations: Use arrowroot or tapioca instead of cornstarch for a paleo option. Replace honey with maple syrup for a vegan version. Add orange marmalade for additional sweetness.
- Ingredient Notes: Choose fresh, high-quality chicken breasts to ensure tenderness. For a gluten-free option, ensure all sauces are labeled as gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 297
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: null
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: null
- Trans Fat: null
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: null