Easy Orange Chicken Recipe is a quick orange chicken recipe perfect for busy nights, delivering crispy chicken, sweet-savory sauce, and better-than-takeout flavor. Chicken pieces are coated and pan-fried until golden before being tossed in a sticky glaze made with orange marmalade and Japanese BBQ sauce.
If you enjoy easy takeout-inspired dinners like this, you may also love our Korean Barbecue Salmon Skewers, Easy Shrimp Fried Rice, or our Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry.
Easy Orange Chicken Recipe at a Glance 🔎
- 🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
- ⏱️ Cook Time: 20 minutes
- 🧊 Optional Chill: None
- 👥 Servings: 4
- 🔥 Cook Method: Pan-fried
- 🍽️ Cuisine (or General Category): Asian-inspired chicken dinner
- 👩🍳 Pair With: noodles, stir-fried vegetables, Jasmine Rice Instant Pot Recipe, Vegetarian Egg Rolls, Easy Asian Cucumber Salad.
- ⭐ Difficulty Level: Easy
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The orange marmalade and Japanese BBQ sauce create a shortcut glaze with sweet and savory flavor. ~Jami
Why We Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights. Just like these Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp!
- Family-Friendly: A hit with both kids and adults, making it ideal for family dinners.
- Healthy Ingredients: Uses fresh ginger, garlic, and orange juice for a healthier twist.
- Versatile: Great for serving over rice or with your favorite vegetables.
Easy Orange Chicken Recipe Ingredients
- Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for lean protein.
- Flour and Cornstarch: Create a crispy coating for the chicken.
- Garlic Powder: Seasons the coating.
- Japanese BBQ Sauce and Orange Marmalade: We like the Bachan's brand to create the base for the sweet and tangy sauce. Love this ingredient? Try our Salmon Rice Bowl!
- Sesame Seeds and Green Onions: For garnish and added texture.
- Neutral Oil: For frying.
- Salt and Pepper: Adds flavor.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Japanese BBQ Sauce: Substitute with hoisin sauce.
- Orange Marmalade: Swap with apricot preserves for a unique flavor.
- Peanut Oil: Use any high-smoke-point oil for frying.
- Spicy: Add more chili garlic sauce or red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Flavor: Incorporate fresh-squeezed orange juice and orange zest into the sauce.
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How to Make this Easy Orange Chicken Recipe
STEP ONE: Prepare the Chicken
In a bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. Coat chicken pieces in the dry mixture.
STEP TWO: Fry the Chicken
Heat oil in a skillet or deep fryer to 350°F. Fry chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
STEP THREE: Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, orange marmalade, rice wine vinegar, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes (if using).
STEP FOUR: Coat the Chicken
Add fried chicken pieces to the sauce and toss until well coated.
Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Expert Tips for Success
👩🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!
✔️ DO Cut and coat the chicken in advance for a quicker cooking process.
✔️ DO Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure even cooking.
✔️ DO Adjust the thickness by adding more cornstarch slurry if needed.
Storage
Store leftover orange chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave for 30 seconds at a time until warmed through, or reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use frozen popcorn chicken as a shortcut. Simply heat the popcorn chicken according to package instructions and then toss it in the homemade orange sauce for a quick and easy meal.
To make orange chicken lighter, use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, reduce the amount of sugar in the sauce, and opt for baking or air frying the chicken instead of frying. Serve with brown rice and steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
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📖 Recipe
Easy Orange Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- Large skillet or deep fryer
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Tongs
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil for frying like avocado or canola
- salt and pepper to taste
Orange Sauce
- ½ cup Japanese BBQ sauce such as Bachan's Original or Hot & Spicy
- ⅓ cup orange marmalade
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder or 1 small garlic clove, minced and sautéed briefly
- pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- In a bowl, toss chicken with cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Heat oil in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate or wire rack to drain.
- In another bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, orange marmalade, vinegar, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Add fried chicken pieces to the sauce and toss until well coated.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Best served with steamed rice, noodles, or stir-fried veggies.
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Video
Notes
- Fry the chicken in batches for better browning.
- Do not overcrowd the skillet.
- Toss the sauce thoroughly before adding the chicken.
- Serve immediately for the crispiest texture.
Jyl says
The sauce ingredient quantities are missing.
Jami Powell says
Thank you for bringing this to our attention!
Shanna Cross says
Great flavor, yummy dish!! Will make it again.