This quick and Easy Orange Chicken recipe comes together in under 15 minutes! Filling and delicious with a sauce that is made using a secret ingredient, orange marmalade! Add it to your weekday recipe list for a quick dinner that is sure to be a favorite.
Serve this simple chicken dish with a side of rice and roasted vegetables for a balanced meal that everyone will love. OR make it family style and add my 5-Ingredient Teriyaki Chicken!
Recipe Features
- 5 Ingredients: This recipe comes together so quick, and most of that is due to the short list of ingredients. Perfect for busy weeknights when you aren’t sure what to serve.
- Meal Prep Friendly: This chicken is perfect for a make ahead meal. Make and divide between containers for a quick grab lunch!
- Customizable: While this is delicious, you can definitely jazz things up with some easy additions. Read on to find out our favorite ways to serve this quick dinner idea.
This recipe is nothing new. I’ve been using it for years and it is always a hit. Minimal ingredients, ready in less than 15 minutes, and most importantly, loved by all. The secret is in the sauce. With just a handful of ingredients you can have crispy delicious orange chicken that rivals take-out!
Originally found on Insanely Good Recipes, we’ve slowly adapted it to fit our tastes, and it is a winner. Serve it with rice, pro tip: mix half of the rice with cooked riced cauliflower for more veggies, and a stir fry veggie mix from the frozen aisle. Delicious, nutritious, and leftovers that are perfect for a packed lunch!
Orange Chicken Sauce Ingredients
I used frozen chicken nuggets to keep prep and cost low, but you can definitely use a homemade chicken nugget or naked chicken pieces with equally delicious results. Here is what you need to get started:
- Orange Marmalade: Marmalade is a fruit preserve that is made from the juice and the peel of the fruit. You can find this next to the jellies and nut butters. Most of the orange flavor and sweetness will come from this ingredient.
- BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite sauce. In an effort to provide the best options, we tried this with Kraft original, which is a more budget friendly option, Sweet Baby Ray’s, and Kinders. All tasted delicious.
- Soy Sauce: Soy sauce adds the delightful flavor of umami flavor that helps to tone down the marmalade and bbq sauce.
- Orange Juice: And, because I love a bolder orange flavor, a dash of orange juice.
- Chicken: Bare Chicken Nuggets are king in our home. Not exactly a diet food, but the lean on the healthier end of a chicken nugget.
Optional Ingredients:
The original recipe is great all on it’s own, but if you’d like to jazz things up you can add any of the following:
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is an amazing addition to the recipe and really gives it a boost in flavor.
- Ginger: I have ginger paste on hand almost always. A little goes a long way and can give you a more peppery spice finish.
- Red Pepper Flakes: If you like a little heat, a dash or two of red pepper flakes will do the trick!
- Rice Vinegar: My good friend swears by a 1/4 teaspoon of rice vinegar.
How To Make Orange Marmalade Chicken
- PREP: Cook the chicken according to the package directions. I prefer to air fry the nuggets for a more crisp finish.
- HEAT: Stir together the marmalade, bbq sauce, soy sauce, and orange juice in a large liquid measuring cup. Stir to combine. Heat in the microwave for 1 minute, or until heated through.
- TOSS: Drizzle the mixture over the cooked chicken and toss to coat.
- SERVE: Serve immediately with warm rice and sautéed vegetables.
Helpful Tools
- Liquid Measuring Cups: A good set of measuring cups (affiliate) is actually a key piece of equipment for any kitchen. This is the set that I have and it has lasted me more than 15 years.
- Silicone Spatulas: If I can only recommend one kitchen tool, it would be a set of silicone spatulas (affiliate). These are so versatile and used daily in our kitchen. Great for baking AND cooking.
- Air Fryer: There are so many different air fryer’s out there and it can be somewhat overwhelming knowing which one works best. For a versatile option with different cook features I suggest the Instant Vortex (affiliate). For a more basic and beginner friendly, opt for the Wolfgang Puck (affiliate).
Recipe Notes:
Cooked chicken should be eaten within three to four days. This recipe will taste the best if the chicken and sauce are stored separately. When ready to enjoy, heat both in the microwave for a minute or two and toss together.
Use your favorite sauce. In an effort to provide the best options, we tried this with Kraft original, which is a more budget friendly option, Sweet Baby Ray’s, and Kindler’s. All tasted delicious.
The easiest way to add spice to this recipe is to use a spicy barbecue sauce. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes!
Yes! If you’re craving orange chicken but don’t love the idea of meat, try using this sauce tossed with fried cauliflower!
This sauce is super simple to whip up. It works for so many other recipes, not just orange chicken. Use it on shrimp, chicken wings, and a dip for your favorite eggrolls or wontons
More Quick Dinner Ideas
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Easy Orange Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 to 5 cups frozen chicken nuggets
- 1 cup orange marmalade
- 3/4 cup bbq sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
Instructions
- Cook the chicken according to the package directions. I prefer to air fry the nuggets for a more crisp finish.
- Stir together the marmalade, bbq sauce, soy sauce, and orange juice in a large liquid measuring cup. Stir to combine. Heat in the microwave for 1 minute, or until heated through.
- Drizzle the mixture over the cooked chicken and toss to coat.
- Serve immediately with warm rice and sautéed vegetables for a full meal.
Notes
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is an amazing addition to the recipe and really gives it a boost in flavor.
- Ginger: I have ginger paste on hand almost always. A little goes a long way and can give you a more peppery spice finish.
- Red Pepper Flakes: If you like a little heat, a dash or two of red pepper flakes will do the trick!
- Rice Vinegar: My good friend swears by a 1/4 teaspoon of rice vinegar.
- Sesame Oil: Stir in 1 to 2 teaspoons of sesame oil to tone down the sweetness.
Nutrition
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