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3 Ingredient Orange Chicken is a quick and easy dinner idea that is flavorful and simple to make. This recipe is ready in less than 20 minutes.

Orange Chicken in a skillet
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This Easy Orange Chicken Recipe has only 3 ingredients. It is quick and easy dinner idea that your family will love. The crispy chicken texture mixed with the sweet and tangy sauce makes this a family favorite. We love this meal for a quick dinner.

Chinese Orange Chicken is a popular Chinese Food Take Out recipe but now you can save money and make it at home. This is the perfect meal to use pre made chicken nuggets or leftover chicken nuggets.

Also try Instant Pot Orange Chicken and Crockpot Orange Chicken.

Orange Chicken on a wooden spoon

What is Orange Chicken?

Orange Chicken is a popular Panda Express Chinese Take Out food that consists of deep fried chicken bites that are covered in an orange sauce. It is a thick sauce that thickens as it covers the orange flavored chicken.

Ingredients needed - pre-made chicken nuggets, orange marmalade, barbecue sauce, soy sauce

Ingredients: 

  • Pre-made Chicken Nuggets (24 oz bag) 
  • Orange Marmalade 
  • Barbecue Sauce 
  • Soy Sauce 

How to Make Orange Chicken: 

  • Step 1 – Prepare the chicken based on the package instructions. 
  • Step 2 – In a large saucepan over medium high heat, add the orange marmalade, barbecue sauce and soy sauce.  Stir together and simmer on low for 15-20 minutes.  
  • Step 3 – Remove from heat, toss in the chicken nuggets until the chicken pieces is well coated with the sauce. 
The process of making orange chicken
  • Step 4 – Serve as is or over white rice and green onions and enjoy! 
Orange Chicken in a white bowl

What is Orange Sauce made of?

There are many ways to make orange chicken. But we like to keep things easy, so we took pre made chicken nuggets and added a three ingredient orange glaze.

The glaze is easy to make with orange marmalade, BBQ Sauce, and Soy Sauce. The sauce is tangy and sweet but we love it even more as it taste amazing.

Orange Chicken on a plate with white rice and a fork

Tips for the Best Orange Chicken Sauce:

  • Use any type of chicken – We love making this recipe with premade popcorn chicken for a quick and easy meal for your family but any type of chicken nuggets or chicken breast would work great in this recipe.
  • Make Orange Sauce – We love to make this sauce with these 3 ingredients. But it can also be made with fresh orange and then mixed with orange zest. Add in some honey, soy sauce, ginger, garlic and rice vinegar in a large bowl.
  • BBQ Sauce – Use any flavor of BBQ Sauce that you prefer. There are options that have extra spice or sweetness in the sauce.
  • Lighten Up – If you prefer you can pour this sauce of turkey meatballs or chicken meatballs for an amazing twist to this easy recipe.
Orange Chicken on a plate with white rice and a fork

Can you Make this dish in the Slow Cooker?

Yes, you can easily make this dish in the slow cooker. Use uncooked chicken or the pre made chicken nuggets and place in the slow cooker. Then combine the three ingredient sauce together and then pour over chicken.

Cook on low for about 5 hours. It may take longer if you are putting frozen chicken in the slow cooker.

This would be a perfect meal to make for a weeknight meal or to feed a crowd. If you have your kids friends over, this would be the perfect meal to make.

How to Serve Orange Chicken:

  • White Rice – We love to serve this orange chicken over white rice.
  • Cauliflower Rice – If you prefer, this recipe served great over cauliflower rice.
  • Steamed Broccoli – Serving orange chicken with rice and steamed broccoli completes this meal.
Orange Chicken in a Skillet with a wooden spoon

How to Store Leftovers:

Refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days

Print Recipe here for 3 Ingredient Orange Chicken:

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3 Ingredient Orange Chicken

5 from 10 votes
3 Ingredient Orange Chicken is a quick and easy dinner idea that is flavorful and simple to make. This recipe is ready in less than 20 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6
Cuisine Chinese
Course Main Course
Calories 461

Ingredients

  • 1 pkg Pre-made Chicken Nuggets 24 oz bag
  • 1 cup Orange Marmalade
  • 1 cup Barbecue Sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce

Instructions

  • Prepare the chicken based on the package instructions.
  • In a large saucepan over medium high heat, add the orange marmalade, barbecue sauce and soy sauce.  Stir together and simmer on low for 15-20 minutes.
  • Remove from heat, toss in the chicken nuggets until the chicken is well coated with the sauce.
  • Serve as is or over white rice and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

We love making this recipe with premade popcorn chicken for a quick and easy meal for your family but any type of chicken nuggets would work great in this recipe! 
Refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. 

Nutrition Facts

Calories 461kcal, Carbohydrates 55g, Protein 22g, Fat 17g, Saturated Fat 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat 4g, Monounsaturated Fat 7g, Trans Fat 0.1g, Cholesterol 85mg, Sodium 935mg, Potassium 357mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 48g, Vitamin A 299IU, Vitamin C 5mg, Calcium 50mg, Iron 2mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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