Sesame Orange Chicken Bites
Takeaway orange chicken, glossy and crisp without the deep fryer.
Kit that makes this foolproof
A few inexpensive bits that get you crispier results with less mess.
A roomy air fryer
A larger basket means fewer batches and crispier results.
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Perforated liners
Less sticking and mess, without blocking the airflow.
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Silicone tongs
Turn and lift without scratching the non-stick basket.
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Before You Start
Orange chicken is a sauce dish wearing a fried coating, and the air fryer handles the coating half honestly: cornflour, a spray of oil, hard heat. The sauce reduces in a pan in the meantime, built on real orange juice rather than orange flavouring, which is why it tastes brighter than the takeaway version.
Instructions
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1
Pat the chicken dry and toss it with the ⅓ cup cornflour and the salt until every piece has a thin, even coat.
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2
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C / 400°F for 3 minutes. Spray the pieces all over with oil and lay them in a single layer.
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3
Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking and re-spraying any floury patches at 6 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
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4
Meanwhile whisk the orange juice, honey, soy, vinegar, garlic and the 2 teaspoons cornflour in a small pan.
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5
Simmer the sauce over medium heat, whisking, for 2 to 3 minutes until it turns glossy and coats a spoon.
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6
Toss the hot chicken through the sauce, scatter with sesame seeds and spring onion, and serve over rice immediately.
♨️ Air fryer notes
- Cook at 200°C / 400°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
💡 Cook's tips
- Sauce the chicken at the last second. The coating starts softening the moment it meets liquid, so the gap between tossing and eating should be short.
- Zest the orange into the sauce before juicing it. The zest carries more orange flavour than the juice does.
🔀 Make it your own
- Swap the orange juice for pineapple juice for a sweet and sour lean.
- Add ½ teaspoon of chilli flakes to the sauce for the spicy version.
📦 Storing & reheating
Best immediately. Leftovers keep 2 days with the chicken and sauce stored separately, re-crisping the chicken at 190°C for 3 minutes before tossing.
❓ Frequently asked
How do you keep orange chicken crispy?
Keep the sauce thick, toss at the last moment, and serve straight away. A watery sauce or a sauced bowl that sits will soften any coating, fried or air fried.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?
Yes. Thighs take 12 to 14 minutes and stay juicier. Breast is closer to the classic takeaway texture.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
