Baked Orange Chicken: A Healthier Takeout Favorite

Craving orange chicken but want a healthier option? This Baked Orange Chicken recipe delivers crispy, bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a simple homemade orange sauce that’s sweet, tangy, and utterly irresistible. Whether you prefer chicken breasts or thighs, this recipe provides instructions for both oven-baking and air frying. Simply prepare a side of rice while the chicken cooks, and your delicious and healthy dinner is ready!

Table of Contents

• Ingredients You’ll Need
• Chicken Breasts vs. Chicken Thighs
• How to Make Orange Chicken: Oven & Air Fryer
  • Oven Baking Instructions
  • Air Frying Instructions
• Essential Recipe Tips
• More Takeout-Inspired Recipes
• Full Baked Orange Chicken Recipe

Step aside, Black Pepper Chicken. Make way, General Tso’s Chicken. And move over, Sesame Chicken. There’s a new takeout-fakeout champion in town, poised to become a weeknight dinner staple: Baked Orange Chicken.

This recipe captures the essence of your favorite takeout orange chicken, but with a healthy twist. Say goodbye to deep-frying, standing over hot oil, and messy cleanups. Instead, imagine golden, crispy chicken bathed in a sweet and tangy sauce reminiscent of Panda Express, tempting you to lick the plate clean.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather these simple ingredients to create your own delicious baked orange chicken:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Alternatively, use chicken thighs for a richer, juicier result.
• All-purpose flour: Essential for creating that crispy coating.
• Eggs: Helps the breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken.
• Panko breadcrumbs: The secret ingredient for a perfectly crunchy exterior.
• Cooking spray: Ensures your chicken achieves that beautiful golden-brown finish.
• Orange sauce ingredients: Sesame oil, olive oil, fresh garlic and ginger, hoisin sauce, orange marmalade, and low-sodium soy sauce. For a touch of heat, consider adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.

Refer to the recipe card below for complete ingredient details and quantities.

Chicken Breasts vs. Chicken Thighs

While traditional orange chicken recipes often favor chicken thighs for their robust flavor and moistness, this recipe uses chicken breasts for a leaner, lighter option. Chicken breasts crisp up wonderfully when baked or air-fried, making them ideal for this takeout-inspired dish.

However, if you prefer chicken thighs, feel free to use them! Since many Chinese takeout dishes traditionally use dark meat, choosing chicken thighs will provide a more authentic, tender, and flavorful result. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. Select your favorite and let’s get cooking!

How to Make Orange Chicken: Two Delicious Ways

One of the best aspects of this orange chicken recipe is its versatility: you can bake it in the oven or prepare it in an air fryer! The orange marmalade sauce comes together in less than 10 minutes, making it easy to whip up while the chicken is cooking.

Oven Baking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 450°F (232°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly grease it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Cut the chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces.
3. Coat with flour: A quick and easy trick for coating chicken: add the flour to a sealable plastic bag, then add the chicken pieces. Seal the bag and shake well to ensure even coating and easy cleanup!
4. Dip in eggs and breadcrumbs: In one shallow dish, whisk the eggs until well mixed. In another shallow dish, spread out the breadcrumbs. Take each piece of flour-coated chicken, dip it into the egg mixture, then roll it in the breadcrumbs. Ensure each piece is thoroughly coated and place them on your prepared baking sheet in a single layer.

Pro Tip: For a cleaner and more efficient coating process, designate one hand for handling the egg mixture and the other for the breadcrumbs. This “wet hand, dry hand” method keeps your hands cleaner and ensures a more even coating on your chicken.

5. Bake the chicken: Bake the chicken pieces for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping them once halfway through to ensure they’re evenly crispy and golden brown.

Air Frying Instructions

1. Preheat your air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
2. Prepare the chicken: Follow the same steps as above to cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and coat it.
3. Air fry: Arrange the Panko-coated chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, then lightly coat with cooking spray. Cook for 15 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through, until they are crispy and cooked through. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to cook in batches to guarantee perfectly crispy air-fried chicken.

Once the chicken is cooked, simply toss it in the orange sauce and serve it with your favorite sides. Consider fried rice, lo mein or chow mein noodles, or Chinese garlic green beans for the ultimate takeout-inspired meal in the comfort of your own kitchen.

And for a fun and easy dessert, complete the meal with some fortune cookies or chocolate wonton pillows.

Essential Recipe Tips

Follow these tips for perfect baked orange chicken every time:

• Flip the chicken: Ensure a golden-brown crunch on all sides by flipping the chicken pieces once during baking or air frying.
• Use cooking spray: A spritz of cooking spray at the start and halfway through guarantees crispy perfection.
• Save time with prep: Prepare the chicken a few hours in advance by coating the pieces, placing them on a baking sheet, and refrigerating them until ready to cook.
• Prepare the sauce ahead: The orange sauce can be made up to a week in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat it on the stove before tossing it with the chicken.
• Reheat properly: Reheat leftovers in the oven or air fryer to restore some of the crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make the coating soggy.
• Create Orange Chicken Bowls: Transform leftovers into Orange Chicken Bowls! Serve the chicken over steamed coconut rice, top with your favorite veggies, and drizzle with any leftover sauce.

Share your experience! Rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Enjoy your homemade takeout night!

More Takeout-Inspired Recipes

Explore more delicious takeout-inspired recipes to expand your culinary repertoire:

• 30-Minute Beef Lo Mein
• Crispy Baked Crab Rangoon
• Quick Korean Beef Bowls
• 30-Minute Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry
• Sticky Pineapple Chicken
• The Best Mongolian Beef

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Main Course

Baked Orange Chicken (Air Fryer or Oven)

Ditch the deep fryer in favor of a top-rated recipe for Baked Orange Chicken (made in an air fryer or the oven!) that’s light, crispy and tossed with the best homemade orange chicken sauce.

Author:
Kelly Senyei

4.59 from 31 votes