3-Ingredient Orange Chicken

Introduction

Craving takeout flavor without the hassle or heavy list of ingredients? This 3-Ingredient Orange Chicken delivers deliciously tangy, sweet, and savory flavor with surprising simplicity. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or want a sure-fire crowd-pleaser for a casual dinner, this recipe gets food on the table fast with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

The Magic of 3-Ingredient Orange Chicken

Forget complicated marinades or lengthy prep times—this recipe’s appeal lies in its astonishing simplicity. All you need are crispy chicken pieces, a vibrant orange sauce, and a dash of soy to bring restaurant-quality orange chicken right to your home kitchen. The harmony of citrus and savory in each bite is downright addictive!

Your Easy Orange Chicken Trio

For best results, use frozen popcorn chicken from the grocery store (or even chicken nuggets for the ultimate shortcut!). The sauce comes together in minutes, using nothing more than orange marmalade and soy sauce, yielding that sticky, glossy, and flavorful glaze you love from takeout.

Orange Chicken Assembly in a Snap

Once your chicken is heated until golden and crispy according to package instructions, gently toss it in the warm orange-soy sauce mixture. The sauce clings beautifully, coating every piece in irresistible flavor. Serve over steamed rice or alongside stir-fried veggies for a complete meal in minutes.

Irresistible Serving Suggestions

Top your orange chicken with thin slices of green onion or a sprinkle of sesame seeds for visual appeal and added crunch. Serve with steamed jasmine rice or cauliflower rice for a lighter option. A crisp side salad or quick sautéed broccoli rounds out dinner in a healthy, satisfying way.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes 4 generous servings. Using popcorn chicken as your base, each portion typically ranges from 300 to 400 calories before sides, depending on the final ingredients and serving size. This dish offers a taste of indulgence—the perfect way to brighten up your week!

3-Ingredient Orange Chicken (Recap)

With savory-sweet zing and beautifully crisp textures, this 3-Ingredient Orange Chicken lets you create a takeout favorite without the fuss. Minimal effort, just three ingredients, and maximum flavor—what’s not to love?

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly generate an organized grocery list. CookifyAI sorts your ingredients by store section for the most efficient shopping, making meal planning and preparation a breeze!

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven and cook the frozen popcorn chicken (or nuggets) according to the package directions, until crispy and heated through.
2. While the chicken bakes, add the orange marmalade and soy sauce to a small saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until the marmalade is melted and the sauce is smooth (about 3–5 minutes).
3. When the chicken is ready, place it in a large bowl. Pour the hot orange-soy sauce over the chicken and toss until evenly coated.
4. Transfer the orange chicken to a serving platter. Garnish with sliced green onion and sesame seeds, if desired.
5. Serve immediately with steamed rice and your favorite side vegetables for a complete meal.

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is ideal for fast, fuss-free meal prep and fits easily into a busy week. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI—you’ll not only keep your week on track, but the app also consolidates ingredients across all your planned dishes, smartly calculates totals, and organizes your shopping list by grocery section.

Planning Benefits:

– Automatically adds all recipe ingredients and amounts to your shopping list
– Prevents duplicate purchases and missing ingredients
– Ensures your list is organized for quick, efficient shopping
– Seamlessly tracks what you plan to eat each night

Pro tip: Schedule your recipes for the week to spot ingredient overlaps—like if you’re planning two chicken recipes, CookifyAI will tally up the right amount, so you don’t overbuy or run short.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes