If you love takeout, you’re going to adore this Easy Orange Chicken. Many copycat takeout recipes call for dozens of hard-to-find ingredients, but this version uses a simple three-ingredient orange sauce. It’s fast, family-friendly, and perfect for a cozy dinner at home. A recipe video is included below.
Easy Orange Chicken with Marmalade
I love cooking for my family, so we don’t order takeout often. My husband especially enjoys Chinese-inspired dishes, and this orange chicken is one of our favorites. I kept the ingredients pantry-friendly so you can make it without a special trip to the store.
The orange sauce uses just three ingredients: BBQ sauce, sweet orange marmalade, and soy sauce. It’s tangy, sweet, and coats the chicken beautifully. After you finish cooking, serve over rice, dim the lights, and enjoy a date night at home.
How to make Easy Orange Chicken
Step one: Prepare the sauce. In a small saucepan combine 1 cup BBQ sauce, 1 cup sweet orange marmalade, and 2 tablespoons soy sauce. Whisk the mixture and bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it cook briefly while you prepare the chicken so the flavors meld.
Step two: Cut 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-size pieces. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add about 6 tablespoons of olive oil. In a bowl, beat 2 large eggs. Dip the chicken pieces in the egg wash, then dredge in 1 cup all-purpose flour to coat. Add the coated pieces to the warm, oiled skillet.
Step three: Cook the chicken for 3–4 minutes on the first side, then turn and cook until both sides are golden and crispy. Work in batches if your skillet is crowded so the chicken browns evenly.
Step four: Transfer the cooked chicken to a large bowl and pour the warm orange sauce over it. Use tongs to toss the chicken until each piece is well coated with the glossy sauce. Serve immediately over steamed white or brown rice.
What is a good side dish for orange chicken?
We usually serve this orange chicken over rice with a simple vegetable. It pairs well with stir-fried greens, roasted vegetables, or fried rice. Here are a few side ideas that complement the sweet-tangy sauce:
- Garlic Asian green beans
- Roasted broccoli
- Fried rice
- Baked garlic green beans
How to make orange chicken in the slow cooker
If you prefer a hands-off method, this recipe adapts well to the slow cooker. Combine the sauce ingredients with the chicken in the slow cooker and cook until tender. For exact timing and instructions, try a slow-cooker orange chicken variation that fits your appliance and schedule.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it—leave a comment below or share a photo. Tag your creations with the hashtag #TDOARH if you post them.
Easy Orange Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 cup sweet orange marmalade
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless), cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 6 tbsp olive oil (or enough for frying)
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine BBQ sauce, orange marmalade, and soy sauce. Whisk and simmer gently while you prepare the chicken.
- Dice chicken into bite-size pieces. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add oil. Beat eggs in a bowl. Dip chicken in egg wash, then coat with flour. Place coated pieces into the warm skillet.
- Cook the chicken for 3–4 minutes on the first side, then flip and cook until both sides are crispy and golden.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a large bowl and pour the warm orange sauce over it. Toss with tongs until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Serve immediately over rice with your choice of vegetable side.
Notes
Serve over steamed rice and pair with vegetables like green beans or roasted broccoli. For a slow-cooker version, combine the sauce and chicken and cook on low until the chicken is tender.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 71 g |
Protein: 29 g |
Fat: 18 g |
Sodium: 1007 mg
