We eat chicken at least once a week and are always experimenting with new recipes to ensure we don't get tired of chicken. A few weeks ago we made an Air Fryer Bourbon Glazed Salmon which was amazing. So, we figured since that glaze was so good, why not try it on chicken?? Well, the biggest reason we didn't try a bourbon glazed chicken is that someone (Amy!!) in the house drank the rest of the bourbon!! Since the bourbon was gone we turned to the oranges we had in the house and came up with a glaze. I mean, we love oranges on chicken when we grill, so why not make a glaze? Well, I have to say, this was the best idea ever!! The air fryer orange glazed chicken is full of flavor and very addictive. We made it again 3 nights later. Hey, we have to test the recipe!!! 😀
This is one of those recipes that is so easy but no one will know it is easy from all the flavor of the chicken. Also, it's a quick easy recipe so there's nothing fussy that needs to be done, which is great for a weeknight meal!! I hope your family loves this air fryer orange glazed chicken as much as we do.
Oh, the second time we made the recipe we added a habanero pepper for some spice. The pepper goes great with fruit, especially oranges. If you like spice as much as we do make sure to add the pepper. Every bite has a nice sweetness and then the spice kicks in. . .So good!!!
How to make Air Fryer Orange Glazed Chicken
Prepare The Chicken
We used chicken breast but if you prefer chicken thighs they will work also. NOTE: I always rinse chicken off with cool water and then pat dry before cutting. Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces. Toss the chicken with Adobo seasoning and cumin. Place in the air fryer, spray with cooking spray, and cook until chicken is done. About 10 to 20 minutes depending on your air fryer. Make sure to flip the chicken about halfway through cooking.
If you don't have an air fryer, the chicken can cook in the oven at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes. Just place on a cookie sheet and place in the oven. Flip the chicken around after about 10 minutes.
As I mentioned, about halfway through cooking the chicken in the air fryer you'll want to flip it over and lightly spray with cooking spray. We used Olive Oil spray.
Prepare the Glaze
This glaze is so good and would be great on pork or salmon. To tell you how easy this is, the hardest part of the glaze is zesting the orange!!! To get ready to make the glaze: zest the orange, grate garlic and ginger, measure out orange juice and maples syrup, and, if you want it spicy, chop the 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.
TIPS:
- If you want this spicy use a Habanero Pepper. The Habanero peppers will add a nice spice but are not too hot to eat. It mixes well with the orange flavor.
- Remember all air fryers are a little different. Check the chicken halfway through the cooking to see how fast or slow it is coking. Adjust the time for cooking as required for your air fryer
- The chicken can be cooked in the oven. Season it the same way as for air frying. Place it on a baking sheet and bake in a 400-degree oven for about 20 minutes.
- We like to use chicken breast because it has fewer calories than chicken thighs but you can easily substitute the chicken breast for chicken thighs if you prefer.
Air Fryer Orange Glazed Chicken
A Few Things We Use
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Chicken Breast
- 1 ½ Tablespoon Adobo Seasoning with Cumin
Glaze
- 4 Cloves Garlic Finely chopped or minced
- 1 Tablespoon Orange Zest
- 2 Cups Orange Juice
- ½ Cup Maple Syrup
- 2 Tablespoon Ginger Finely chopped or minced
- 1 Habanero Optional
Instructions
- Cut chicken breast into bite-size pieces
- Toss the adobo seasoning on the cut-up chicken
- Spray the air fryer with cooking spray (we used olive oil spray)
- Place the chicken in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400 degrees for 10 minutes
- Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 6 minutes or until the chicken is done
Orange Glaze
- If using Habanero. Chop finely
- Zest orange
- Finely chop ginger and garlic
- Combine all sauce ingredients (Orange Juice, Garlic, Ginger, Orange Zest, Maple Syrup, and Habanero) in a large sauté pan (Later you'll be adding the cooked chicken, so make sure to use a pan that's large enough to hold everything)
- Bring sauce to a boil (takes about 3 or 4 minutes). Turn down to simmer
- Stirring often. Simmer until the sauce has reduced by about half. This takes about 10 minutes
- After the sauce has been reduced by about half. Add the cooked, air-fried (or baked), chicken into the sauce.
- Stir the chicken in the sauce and continue to cook until the sauce has completely coated the chicken in a nice glaze
- Serve with rice or cauliflower rice. Or enjoy it on its own.
Leave a Reply