Transform everyday ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish with this simple 3-Ingredient Orange Chicken recipe. Crispy, golden chicken bites are coated in a tangy and sweet orange sauce that’s sure to satisfy your takeout cravings. Serve it over fluffy white rice and pair it with sautéed vegetables for a quick and wholesome meal. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this recipe proves that less really can be more!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Minimal Ingredients: With just three sauce components and pantry staples for the chicken, it’s easy to whip up.
Quick and Delicious: Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe satisfies your craving for orange chicken in no time.
Customizable: Adjust the sweetness, spice, or pair it with your favorite sides to make it your own.
Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike will love the bold, sweet, and tangy flavors.
Key Ingredients
BBQ Sauce: Choose a sweet, smoky BBQ sauce like Sweet Baby Ray’s for a balanced flavor base. Avoid overly tangy or spicy varieties unless you want to tweak the taste.
Orange Marmalade: The star of the sauce, marmalade provides natural orange sweetness and a subtle zest. For a less sugary option, use a low-sugar or no-sugar-added marmalade.
Soy Sauce: A splash of soy sauce adds depth and balances the sweetness with a touch of saltiness.
Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for this recipe, but chicken thighs work just as well for a juicier option.
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
Instructions
1. Prepare the Sauce
In a medium saucepan, combine:
1 cup BBQ sauce
1/2 cup orange marmalade
2 tablespoons soy sauce
Simmer: Cook on low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend the flavors and thicken the sauce.
2. Prep the Chicken Coating
In one bowl, beat 2 large eggs until smooth.
In another bowl, mix 1 cup flour and/or 1/2 cup cornstarch. This will create a crispy coating.
3. Coat the Chicken
Dip: Take bite-sized chicken cubes and dip them in the beaten egg.
Coat: Roll each chicken piece in the flour mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated.
4. Fry the Chicken
Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat.
Fry: Add the coated chicken pieces to the hot oil. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Drain: Remove the chicken and place it on paper towels to drain excess oil.
5. Combine Chicken and Sauce
Once the chicken has cooled slightly, toss it in the prepared BBQ-marmalade sauce until evenly coated.
6. Serve
Serve the saucy chicken over white rice for a complete meal.
Optional: Pair with sautéed vegetables like green peppers or broccoli for added flavor and nutrition.
Serving Suggestions
Pair your orange chicken with sides to round out the meal:
Steamed Rice: White rice, jasmine rice, or brown rice is a classic accompaniment to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Vegetables: Sautéed broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas add a fresh crunch and balance the richness of the dish.
Noodles: Serve over stir-fried noodles for a different take on this classic.
Spring Rolls or Dumplings: Add a few appetizers for a complete takeout-style meal.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Storage
Store leftover orange chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Stovetop: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or chicken broth to refresh the sauce.
Microwave: Warm individual portions in the microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.
Oven: Reheat on a baking sheet at 350°F for 10-12 minutes for a slightly crispy texture.
Variations
Spicy Orange Chicken: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha to the sauce for some heat.
Air Fryer Chicken: Skip the frying and use an air fryer to cook the chicken for a lighter option. Spray the coated chicken with oil and cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free soy sauce and replace flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch.
Sticky Sesame Chicken: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the finished dish for added texture and nutty flavor.
Extra Zesty: Add a teaspoon of orange zest to the sauce for a brighter, citrus-forward flavor.
Conclusion
3-Ingredient Orange Chicken is the perfect blend of convenience and flavor. With its crispy chicken bites and a tangy, sweet sauce, it’s a homemade version of a takeout classic that you’ll want to make again and again.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip tossing the chicken in the sauce while it’s still warm—this ensures every bite is coated with that delicious glaze!
So grab your skillet, whip up this easy orange chicken, and enjoy restaurant-quality flavor right in your kitchen.
3-Ingredient Orange Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 cup BBQ sauce e.g., Sweet Baby Ray’s
- 1 cup sweet orange marmalade e.g., Smucker’s
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3-4 chicken breasts cut into cubes
- 1 cup flour or cornstarch or a mix of both
- 2 eggs beaten
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine BBQ sauce, orange marmalade, and soy sauce. Simmer on low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend flavors and thicken the sauce.
- In one bowl, beat 2 eggs until smooth. In another bowl, mix flour and/or cornstarch to create a crispy coating.
- Dip the chicken cubes in the beaten egg, then roll in the flour mixture to ensure full coverage.
- Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken pieces for 3-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Once the chicken has cooled slightly, toss it in the prepared BBQ-orange sauce until evenly coated.
- Serve the saucy chicken over white rice for a complete meal. Pair with sautéed vegetables like green peppers or broccoli for added flavor and nutrition.
