Made orange chicken

Ingredients:

Chicken:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Orange Sauce:

• 1/2 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed or store-bought)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

Instructions:

Chicken:

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, mix the chicken pieces with soy sauce, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.
2. Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
3. Cook the Chicken: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the marinated chicken pieces in the basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd. You might need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.

Orange Sauce:

1. Prepare the Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, orange zest, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
2. Thicken the Sauce: Once the sauce is simmering, add the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) and stir continuously until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the sesame oil.

Combine:

1. Mix Chicken with Sauce: Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl and pour the orange sauce over it. Toss to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce.

Serve:

1. Garnish and Serve: Serve the orange chicken hot, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired. Enjoy with steamed rice or vegetables.

Tips:

• For extra crispy chicken, you can spray the chicken with a bit of cooking spray before air frying.
• Adjust the amount of sugar and vinegar in the sauce to taste, depending on how sweet or tangy you like it.
• Adding a bit of orange zest to the sauce can enhance the citrus flavor even more.