Irresistible 3-Ingredient Orange Chicken Recipe for Busy Nights

Quick culinary magic happens when three simple oranges spark an incredible chicken dish that’ll revolutionize your dinner routine.

Citrus-packed proteins sing with vibrant Mediterranean flair.

Home cooks adore uncomplicated recipes that deliver maximum flavor without complicated techniques.

Bright, tangy notes dance across succulent meat, creating an instant crowd-pleaser.

Kitchen novices and seasoned chefs appreciate straightforward approaches that guarantee delicious results.

Fresh ingredients make this recipe shine with minimal effort.

Come cook something spectacular that promises to become your new weeknight favorite.

3-Ingredient Orange Chicken That’s Easy Crispy And Tangy

• Quick Weeknight Savior: Whip up a delicious dinner in just 20 minutes with minimal ingredients and simple cooking steps.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Create a restaurant-quality meal using only three key ingredients that most home cooks already have in their pantry.
• Flavor Explosion: Combine sweet orange marmalade and savory soy sauce for a perfect balance of tangy and rich flavors that will wow your taste buds.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Transform basic chicken into an exciting meal without breaking the bank or requiring expensive specialty ingredients.

Orange Chicken with 3 Simple Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken: Tender protein that forms the core of the dish, best with boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for even cooking.

• Orange Marmalade, Soy Sauce: Sweet and savory combination creating a rich, tangy sauce that coats the chicken, depth of flavor comes from citrus and umami notes.

• Flour, Cornstarch: Crispy coating that helps chicken brown beautifully and creates a light, crunchy exterior.
• Cooking Oil: Helps chicken achieve golden-brown color and prevents sticking to the pan.

• Steamed Rice, Noodles: Perfect base for catching the delicious orange sauce, provides a neutral backdrop to the flavorful chicken.
• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Optional garnish for added color and subtle crunch, enhances visual appeal of the dish.

Quick Guide To 3-Ingredient Orange Chicken

Step 1: Whisk Tangy Sauce

Grab a mixing bowl and combine orange marmalade and soy sauce.

Stir until the ingredients blend smoothly, creating a vibrant, glossy sauce that will coat the chicken with incredible flavor.

Set the sauce aside while preparing the chicken.

Step 2: Prepare Crispy Coating

Create a light, crispy coating for the chicken by mixing flour and cornstarch in a shallow dish.

Roll each chicken cube in the mixture, gently shaking off any excess powder to ensure a thin, even layer that will turn beautifully golden when cooked.

Step 3: Sizzle Chicken Pieces

Heat a large skillet with a thin layer of oil over medium-high heat.

Carefully place the coated chicken cubes into the hot pan.

Cook the pieces, turning occasionally, until they develop a gorgeous golden-brown exterior and are completely cooked through, ensuring no pink remains in the center.

Step 4: Glaze with Sauce

Pour the prepared orange marmalade and soy sauce mixture over the perfectly cooked chicken pieces.

Gently stir to ensure each piece gets evenly coated with the tangy, sweet glaze.

Step 5: Thicken and Infuse

Reduce the heat to medium-low, allowing the sauce to simmer gently.

Let the chicken continue cooking for a few minutes, which will help the sauce thicken and deeply penetrate the meat, creating a mouthwatering caramelized finish.

Step 6: Plate and Enjoy

Transfer the glazed chicken to a serving plate.

Spoon any remaining sauce over the top.

Serve immediately alongside steamed white rice or tender noodles for a complete and satisfying meal that will impress everyone at the table.

Chicken Tips For Simple Orange Zing

• Add a minced garlic clove or fresh ginger to the sauce for an extra punch of aromatic complexity.
• Use a mix of cornstarch and flour for a crunchier exterior that helps sauce adhere better to chicken pieces.
• If sauce is too thin, mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir into the skillet to create a glossier, more clingy consistency.
• Replace regular soy sauce with low-sodium soy sauce or tamari to reduce salt content without sacrificing flavor.
• Swap wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend and use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce to make the dish celiac-friendly.

Keeping 3-Ingredient Orange Chicken Fresh Longer

• Store leftover orange chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating and preserve the chicken's moisture.
• Revive the dish's crispy texture by gently reheating in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying out.
• Freeze the chicken in sealed containers for up to 2 months, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for the best taste and texture.

Light Bites For Orange Chicken

• Pair with Crisp Riesling: Select a slightly sweet German Riesling that complements the orange chicken's tangy and rich flavor profile, balancing the dish's sweetness and cutting through its richness.
• Serve with Jasmine Rice: Prepare fluffy jasmine rice as the perfect neutral base, soaking up the vibrant orange-soy sauce and providing a soft textural contrast to the crispy chicken.
• Garnish with Green Onions: Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions on top to add a sharp, fresh bite that brightens the dish and provides a pleasant visual and flavor accent.
• Add Sesame Seeds: Scatter toasted sesame seeds over the chicken to introduce a nutty crunch and enhance the dish's visual appeal with a subtle, earthy undertone.

Fast and Easy 3-Ingredient Orange Chicken Versions

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free cornstarch to create a celiac-friendly version of the dish.
• Spicy Kick Variation: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the orange marmalade mixture for those who enjoy a heat-packed meal.
• Low-Sodium Alternative: Use reduced-sodium soy sauce and sugar-free orange marmalade to create a healthier version of the classic recipe.
• Vegetarian Swap: Replace chicken with firm tofu cubes, using the same coating and cooking method for a plant-based protein alternative.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of citrus marmalade?

Yes, you can substitute orange marmalade with other citrus marmalades like lemon or grapefruit for a unique flavor twist.

• Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! The chicken can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, making it perfect for quick weeknight meals.

• How can I make this dish gluten-free?

Replace regular soy sauce with tamari or gluten-free soy sauce, and use cornstarch instead of flour for coating the chicken.

• What kind of chicken works best for this recipe?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs are ideal. Cut them into uniform cubes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.

3-Ingredient Orange Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent 3-ingredient orange chicken delivers a tangy explosion of flavor that simplifies weeknight cooking. Home chefs can effortlessly create this quick, zesty dish that brings restaurant-quality taste to dinner tables with minimal effort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 3–4 chicken breasts, cut into cubes

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 cup sweet orange marmalade
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) soy sauce

Coating Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour or cornstarch (or a mix of both)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the vibrant, tangy sauce by blending orange marmalade with savory soy sauce in a mixing bowl, creating a glossy, aromatic coating.
2. Dust chicken pieces thoroughly in a delicate flour and cornstarch mixture, ensuring each morsel is evenly and lightly covered.
3. Warm a spacious skillet with a thin layer of oil, bringing it to a medium-high temperature that promises a perfect golden sear.
4. Carefully introduce the coated chicken cubes into the heated pan, allowing them to transform into crispy, bronzed morsels with a delectable exterior.
5. Verify the chicken is completely cooked through, achieving a safe internal temperature and a beautiful caramelized finish.
6. Cascade the prepared orange-soy sauce over the sizzling chicken, gently coating each piece with the glossy, sweet-savory glaze.
7. Reduce the heat and let the chicken simmer, allowing the sauce to subtly thicken and deeply penetrate the meat’s surface.
8. Transfer the glistening chicken onto a bed of fluffy steamed rice or tender noodles, creating an inviting and appetizing presentation ready to be enjoyed immediately.

Notes

• Swap out orange marmalade for apricot or peach preserves to create a unique twist on the classic dish.
• Use gluten-free flour and tamari sauce to make this recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Pat chicken pieces completely dry before coating to ensure a crispy, golden exterior that locks in moisture.
• Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha for those who enjoy a spicy kick to their meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg