3 Ingredient Orange Chicken

Introduction

If you’re searching for a crave-worthy dinner that’s both easy and bursting with flavor, this 3 Ingredient Orange Chicken delivers in every way. It’s the ideal solution for busy weeknights—bringing sweet, zesty, and savory flavors together without fuss or complicated prep. With just three primary ingredients, you can have a takeout-style classic at home faster than delivery and at a fraction of the cost.

Sweet, Tangy, and Irresistibly Simple Orange Chicken

What makes this orange chicken stand out is its simplicity. Instead of a long list of seasonings and sauces, you’ll create a sticky, citrusy glaze using just orange marmalade, barbecue sauce, and crispy chicken nuggets or bites. The result? An irresistible blend of sweet, smoky, and tangy notes coating each tender piece of chicken—a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

The Easiest Orange Glaze You’ll Ever Make

Skip the specialty ingredients and the frying oil: All you need is your favorite orange marmalade and barbecue sauce mixed together. This combination mimics that iconic orange chicken glaze—each bite delivering just the right amount of zest and caramelized flavor. Simply warm the sauces together and toss with your hot crispy chicken for a glossy, delicious finish.

How to Make 3 Ingredient Orange Chicken in Minutes

Bake (or air fry) the chicken until perfectly crispy, then gently heat the marmalade and barbecue sauce together until they meld into a sticky sauce. Coat the chicken pieces thoroughly and serve over steamed rice or with stir-fried veggies for a balanced meal that feels special, but couldn’t be any easier to pull off.

Serving Suggestions for Your Orange Chicken

Serve this orange chicken over jasmine or brown rice, or turn it into a vibrant rice bowl paired with steamed broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers. For a fun appetizer, skewer each bite with a toothpick and arrange on a platter—perfect for parties, kids, or casual get-togethers.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 4. Each serving contains approximately 340 calories, depending on the type of chicken nuggets or bites you choose. It’s lighter than typical takeout since you’re baking the chicken and controlling the amount of glaze per serving.

Sweet, Tangy, and Irresistibly Simple Orange Chicken (Recap)

Few recipes deliver so much flavor with so little. This 3 Ingredient Orange Chicken is the ultimate shortcut to a classic takeout favorite—simple, quick, and completely satisfying for the whole family.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for quick, stress-free grocery trips and seamless meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven according to the instructions on the chicken nugget packaging (usually 400°F). Arrange the nuggets in a single layer on a baking sheet.
2. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden and crisp, flipping halfway through. (Alternatively, air fry for 10-12 minutes at 400°F for extra crispiness.)
3. While chicken is baking, combine orange marmalade and barbecue sauce in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally, heating just until the mixture is smooth and bubbling gently—about 3-4 minutes.
4. Once the chicken is fully cooked and crispy, place it in a large mixing bowl. Pour the warm orange barbecue glaze over the chicken and toss to coat thoroughly.
5. Serve immediately over steamed rice or alongside your favorite vegetables. Garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This 3 Ingredient Orange Chicken is a weekly staple for meal preppers and busy families. Save and schedule this recipe to generate a smart shopping list with all your week’s ingredients organized and ready to go.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates the total amount of each ingredient for your planned meals
• Keeps your shopping list sorted by grocery store sections
• Reduces the risk of missing an ingredient or buying duplicates
• Keeps weeknight dinners quick, organized, and budget-friendly

Pro tip: When you plan this recipe with others for the week, CookifyAI consolidates ingredients, so if another meal needs barbecue sauce or frozen nuggets, you’ll know exactly how much to buy—no waste or second-guessing.

Cook and Prep Times

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