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Air Fryer Orange Chicken

paleo orange chicken recipe with broccoli and cauliflower rice in a white bowl.

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Make this Air Fryer Orange Chicken the next time you're craving Chinese takeout! It's healthy, gluten free, and takes just 20 minutes. Crispy, juicy chicken is coated in a sticky orange sauce, and serve with veggies for a light weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 pound Chicken Breast- cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 egg- whisked
  • 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon Tapioca Flour
  • 1 cup Orange Juice
  • 1/4 cup Coconut Aminos
  • 3 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar
  • 3 Tablespoons Date Syrup
  • 3/4 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 3/4 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
  • Salt and Pepper as needed

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl whisk your egg. Measure 1/2 cup of tapioca flour in another small bowl and set up your breading station. 
  2. Dip each bite-size piece of chicken one at a time into the egg, let the excess drip off, then dredge it in the tapioca flour and place into your air fryer basket. Repeat with all remaining chicken pieces. 
  3. Once all the pieces are coated, spray them liberally with olive oil cooking spray and cook in the air fryer at 380 degrees f for 6 minutes
  4. While the chicken is frying, start the orange sauce. In a medium pot whisk together 1 Tablespoon of tapioca flour, orange juice, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, date syrup, garlic powder, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes. 
  5. Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to medium. Bring to a boil, and boil for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn the heat off once it is thick enough.
  6. Check you chicken, after the 6 minutes are up, use tongs to flip the pieces over, spray again with cooking spray, and continue to cook for another 5-6 minutes.
  7. When the chicken is done, use tongs to place all the pieces in the orange sauce, toss to ensure they're all well coated
  8. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Cut the chicken into equal sizes so they cook evenly
  • Bread each chicken bite one at a time for best results, doing them as a big batch makes them stick together and not get as crispy
  • Let the sauce boil for about 10 minutes, but if you notice it getting too thick, then turn the heat off. If too thin for you, just boil longer
  • Add an extra tablespoon of date syrup if you want a sweeter sauce
  • Rice isn't technically considered paleo, but some people eat it. Do what you feel comfortable with
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days