Easy Orange Chicken: A Simple and Delicious Recipe

Are you tired of ordering takeout for your favorite Chinese dish, orange chicken? Look no further! With this amazing and easy orange chicken recipe, you can have a delicious Chinese dinner on your table in a snap. This recipe takes just four ingredients to create a homemade sweet orange glaze that will leave your taste buds craving for more.

4-Ingredient Orange Chicken

Orange chicken is a popular sweet and savory dish that originated from the restaurant Panda Express. However, this recipe is an American adaptation of sweet and sour chicken and is even easier to make. Serve it over steamed rice, and you have the perfect meal that will satisfy your cravings for a takeout-worthy dinner at home.

Love easy dinner recipes? Don't miss these: Crockpot Chicken and Gravy, Sheetpan Steak Fajitas, Tuscan Salmon Recipe, Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes, and Mini Meatloaf Recipe.

The Ingredients

Here's what you'll need for this delicious dish:

• Frozen chicken nuggets: Get a big bag because you'll need 5 cups. The chicken nuggets should be cooked according to the package directions. You can also use chicken fingers if you prefer larger cuts.
• Orange marmalade: Find this with the rest of the jams and jellies in your grocery store. Any brand will work well.
• BBQ sauce: Choose any variety you like, but a Kansas City-style sauce is a good choice. It blends perfectly with the other ingredients.
• Soy sauce: To reduce sodium, you can use a low-sodium soy sauce.

How to Make Orange Chicken

1. In a medium microwave-safe mixing bowl, whisk together the orange marmalade, BBQ sauce, and soy sauce.

2. Heat the mixture in the microwave on high heat for 45 seconds, then whisk until smooth (there may be small chunks from the orange rind in the marmalade).

3. Pour the sauce over the fully cooked chicken nuggets (make sure the nuggets are freshly cooked and hot) and toss to coat.

4. Brush the orange glaze over the chicken nuggets.

Tips for the Best Orange Chicken

• Want to add some heat to this recipe? Try using spicy chicken nuggets or add hot sauce to the glaze. Make it as spicy as you like!
• The orange sauce isn't just great with chicken; it also goes well with other meats such as pork, beef, fish fillets, and shrimp.
• If the sauce is too thick for your liking, stir in some orange juice to achieve the desired thickness.
• Garnish the dish with sesame seeds, chopped scallions, and even a few orange slices for an extra burst of flavor.

Crock Pot Orange Chicken

You can also make this delicious orange chicken in a slow cooker, and it turns out great! The only difference is that you'll use chicken breasts and include chicken broth as an additional ingredient.

1. Place 4 chicken breasts and 1 cup of chicken broth in the crock-pot and cook for 5 to 6 hours on low or 3 hours on high.
2. Drain the liquid, then add the sauce ingredients to the pot. Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes.
3. Shred the chicken with a fork and serve with rice.

How to Serve

Serve the orange chicken over steamed white or brown rice. It also pairs well with steamed or stir-fried veggies. The combination of the sauce and rice is perfect as the rice absorbs the flavors and enhances the overall dining experience.

How to Store Leftovers

Keep any leftover chicken in an airtight food storage container in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can easily reheat individual portions in the microwave when you're ready to enjoy them again.

Other Easy Chicken Recipes

If you're a chicken lover, be sure to check out these other easy chicken recipes:

• Garlic Parmesan Chicken
• Bourbon Chicken
• Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
• BBQ Pulled Chicken

Now that you have the recipe for this easy orange chicken, it's time to get cooking! Prepare this delicious dish in no time and impress your friends and family with your culinary skills. Enjoy!