A Burst of Flavor in Every Bite

Published: Apr 11, 2021 · Modified: Jan 16, 2025 by Belly Laugh Living · This post may contain affiliate links ·

We love having chicken at least once a week. We’re always experimenting and coming up with fun new recipes to keep things interesting. A few weeks ago, we created this orange-glazed chicken recipe. Before that, we made an Air Fryer Bourbon Glazed Salmon that was just out of this world! After that delicious experience, we thought, “Why not try that amazing glaze on chicken?” Well, we hit a little snag—someone (okay, it was Amy!) finished off the bourbon! So, instead of giving up, we thought outside the box. We used the oranges we had on hand and created a tasty glaze. We’re huge fans of orange with grilled chicken, so trying it as a glaze made sense! And let me tell you, it was the best decision ever! The air fryer orange glazed chicken turned out bursting with flavor. It was so amazing we made it again just three nights later. We had to make sure we nailed the recipe!!!! 😀

This orange glazed chicken recipe is so simple. The delicious flavor of the chicken will have everyone thinking it’s a gourmet dish! It’s quick and fuss-free, making it perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. I really hope your family loves this air fryer orange glazed chicken. We adore it, and it’s become one of our favorites!

The second time we tried this recipe, we added a habanero pepper, and wow, did it bring some awesome flavor! The combination of the spicy pepper with the fruit, especially the oranges, is just fantastic. If you’re a spice lover like us, definitely give it a go! Each bite starts off sweet, and then that spicy kick surprises you. It’s so delicious!!!

How to make Air Fryer Orange Glazed Chicken Recipe

Prepare The Chicken

We decided to go with chicken breast, but if you’re a fan of chicken thighs, they’ll work just as well! Just a tip: I always rinse the chicken with cool water and then pat it dry before cutting it up. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Toss it well with Adobo seasoning and cumin to add some delicious flavor. Pop it in the air fryer, give it a little spray with cooking spray, and cook until it’s perfectly done! It should take about 10 to 20 minutes, depending on your air fryer. Don’t forget to flip the chicken halfway through to get that nice, even cooking.

If you don’t have an air fryer, no worries at all! You can easily cook the chicken in the oven. Just set it to 400 degrees and let it bake for about 20 minutes. Place the chicken on a cookie sheet. Pop it in the oven. Remember to flip it after about 10 minutes.

Tip: – to cook the chicken in the air fryer. When you’re about halfway through, give it a gentle flip. Spritz it with some cooking spray. We used Olive Oil spray, and it worked great!

Prepare the chicken glaze

This glaze is absolutely delicious and would pair wonderfully with pork or salmon! The toughest part of making it is just zesting the orange! To start on that yummy glaze, first zest the orange. Next, grate some garlic and ginger. Then, measure out your orange juice and maple syrup. If you’re in the mood for a little heat, add a chopped habanero.

Add the orange juice, garlic, ginger, habanero (Optional), orange zest, and maple syrup to a sauté pan. Make sure the pan is big enough for the chicken.

Bring the sauce to a boil and then simmer until the sauce reduces by about half. This will take about 15 minutes. Stir often. Once the sauce/glaze is nice and thick and has reduced by about half, remove the cooked chicken from the air fryer and add to the pan. Make sure to coat the chicken with the sauce/glaze.

Serving the Orange Glazed Chicken

When the chicken is completely coated with sauce, it is ready to enjoy!!!! Serve with rice, cauliflower rice, or crusty bread. This orange glaze for chicken recipe is amazing!

TIPS for the orange glazed chicken recipe:

1. If you’re looking to add some kick to your dish, go for a Habanero Pepper! They bring just the right amount of spice. They taste great with that zesty orange flavor.
2. Every air fryer has its own way of cooking! It’s a good idea to check on the chicken halfway through cooking to see how it’s doing. Feel free to adjust the cooking time based on how your air fryer works.
3. If you’re thinking about cooking chicken in the oven, it’s super simple! Season it just like you would for air frying—your favorite spices will work great. Then, pop it on a baking sheet and bake in a 400-degree oven for about 20 minutes or until done.
4. We like to use chicken breast because they have fewer calories than chicken thighs. You can easily substitute the chicken breast for chicken thighs if you prefer.

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