Whip up this Easy Orange Chicken Recipe with orange marmalade and BBQ sauce for a simple yet scrumptious meal that features a tasty 3-ingredient your whole family will adore. It’s a quick dinner option that’s even better than takeout!
Dive In!
If you’re craving that delicious orange chicken just like the one from your favorite Chinese restaurant, you’re in luck! This is quite possibly the easiest recipe for orange chicken ever. It captures that classic takeout flavor, just like you’d get from Panda Express, and it’s super!
I’ve been spotting the 3-ingredient orange chicken recipe all over Pinterest, and I just had to give it a try. Who knew that a speedy orange sauce made from orange marmalade and BBQ sauce could taste just like the real thing?
However, my kids were really missing the crispy orange chicken from our go-to Chinese restaurant, I just had to try making it myself. After a few delicious attempts, we nailed the perfect combination for this easy meal. Now, it’s a beloved family favorite!
Simple & Tasty Orange Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of less skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup of all-purpose
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil use more if needed
- 2 pounds of less skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup of all-purpose
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil use more if needed
- the Glaze
- 1 cup orange marmalade
- 1 cup of BBQ sauce. My go-to is Sweet Baby Ray’s original!
- 2 tablespoons of low sodium sauce
Instructions
- Crafting the Sauce
- Combine the orange marmalade BBQ sauce, and soy sauce in a small mixing bowl and give it a good stir.
- For Preparing the Chicken
- Gently dip the chicken into the beaten eggs and give it a little shake to remove any extra, then give it a light, even coat of flour.
- In a large skillet or, warm up the oil and cook the chicken over medium-high heat until it’s lightly browned and has a bit of a crisp. If you’re cooking in batches, just set each batch aside on a plate, cover it up, and keep it cozy!
- Pour the sauce into the, give it a good stir with the chicken, and let everything heat up over medium heat until it’s nice and thick with bubbles popping—this should take about 10 minutes. Then, go ahead and serve it right away!
- Helpful Notes
- Getting to Know the Nutrition Facts
Notes
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 460 kcal |
| Total Fat | 16g |
| Saturated Fat | 2.5g |
| Cholesterol | 85mg |
| Sodium | 780mg |
| Carbohydrates | 48g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sugars | 25g |
| Protein | 28g |
Nutrition values are approximate and may vary based on the specific ingredients used.
If you’re a fan of easy dinners, you might want to check out my Honey Garlic Chicken or try my Crispy Parmesan chicken Breast. There are plenty more simple chicken recipes waiting for you in the archives!
Simple 3-Ingredient Sauce
You only need a few ingredients for this homemade orange chicken recipe. The best part? You probably already have everything you need in your pantry, but if not, they’re to find at your local grocery store!
- Orange marmalade: I usually go for Smuckers, but feel free to use your favorite brand!
- BBQ sauce: I went for Sweet Baby Ray’s original flavor, and it worked like a charm!
- Soy sauce: I like to use low sodium soy sauce for a lighter touch.
- Chicken breast: Just take some boneless, skinless chicken breast and cut it into small chunks.
- Eggs: they work wonders to hold the coating together
- Flour or cornstarch : perfect for that crispy coating
- Vegetable oil: It’s perfect for frying up the chicken to crispy perfection. If you prefer, olive oil or avocado oil work great .
Crafting a Delightful Orange Chicken Dish with Marmalade
Start by dipping those chicken cubes into the beaten egg—give them a nice, even coat. After that, gently shake off any extra egg and give the chicken a light, floury blanket.
I love using a wok for this recipe, so I cook the chicken in batches over medium-high heat to make sure they brown just right!
If you’ve got a large skillet on hand, you might be able to cook it all in one go
While the sizzles away, it’s the perfect time to whip up that sweet orange sauce (or you can even make it ahead of time!). Just toss the marmalade, BBQ sauce, and soy sauce into a small bowl and stir until everything melds together beautifully.
It’s a breeze! I sometimes like to sprinkle in a bit of garlic powder or red pepper flakes for a little extra kick. But honestly, you don’t need more than that to enjoy this dish!
Once your chicken has that perfect golden hue, it’s to add the delicious orange sauce to the skillet. If you’ve been cooking the chicken in batches, just pop it all back into the pan. Enjoy!
Let your chicken gently simmer on low to medium heat for about 10 minutes, until the sauce is beautifully thick. Give it a little stir now and then to make sure it stays just right.
If the sauce gets too, feel free to add a splash of orange juice, chicken broth, or water to get it just right. And there you have it!
Delicious Pairings for Your Orange Chicken
We absolutely adore orange chicken over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice to soak up that delightful tangy orange sauce. Jasmine rice is definitely a crowd favorite around here! I often whip up a big batch of Jasmine Rice or brown rice right in the Instant Pot for convenience.
If you’re a fan of cauliflower rice, you can definitely use that instead!
Pair your meal with some easy sides like microwave beans, broccoli, or mixed veggies, and maybe even toss in some frozen egg rolls. Dinner is ready!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Pop any leftover orange chicken into an airtight container and tuck it in the fridge. It should stay delicious for up to 4 days, there’s none left, that is!
If you want to keep your leftovers for longer, just pop them in the freezer for future enjoyment. Orange chicken warms up nicely either in the microwave or on the stove!
Fun Ways to Switch Up the Recipe
Tip: Looking to simplify this easy recipe even more? Feel free to skip the egg/flour/cornstarch. My kids love how the flour coating adds a nice texture, so that’s why I stick with it!
My family adores my Instant Pot Orange Chicken with fresh orange juice and, but they prefer the texture of this version! It’s honestly not difficult, and doesn’t take much more time. But fair warning, it can get a bit messier!
For a super simple and fun twist on orange chicken, try using frozen chicken or popcorn chicken for that extra crunch. Just cook them according to the package instructions and then toss them in your homemade orange sauce. Enjoy!
Feel free to swap in boneless skinless chicken thighs if that’s more your!
Handy Cooking Tips
things first, it’s a great idea to have all your ingredients measured and ready. This little step really speeds up the cooking process!
sure to give those chicken pieces some space in the skillet! Cooking in batches helps them cook evenly and quicker. If you need, you can always keep the cooked chicken cozy and warm on a baking sheet in the oven while you’re finishing up the rest.
Lay the chicken pieces on paper towels to soak up any extra grease before tossing them in the sauce.
I hope you love this chicken with orange marmalade and Sweet Baby Ray’s just as much as we do. The sauce is truly incredible!
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