Description
An incredibly easy and delicious weeknight meal, this 4-ingredient orange chicken transforms frozen nuggets into a sweet, savory, and tangy takeout-style dish in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
1 lb frozen chicken nuggets
1/2 cup orange marmalade
1/4 cup Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven according to the frozen chicken nugget package instructions (typically around 400°F or 200°C). Arrange the frozen chicken nuggets in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
Step 2: While the chicken nuggets are baking, prepare the orange glaze. In a medium saucepan, combine the orange marmalade, Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce, and soy sauce. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has slightly thickened and is glossy.
Step 3: Once the chicken nuggets are cooked and crispy, remove them from the oven. Immediately add the hot nuggets directly into the saucepan with the simmering orange glaze. Toss thoroughly to coat every single nugget evenly in the sticky, flavorful sauce.
Step 4: Serve your irresistible 4-Ingredient Orange Chicken warm. It's fantastic served over steamed jasmine rice, alongside noodles, or even as a fun appetizer in lettuce wraps. Garnish with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds, if desired, for an extra touch of freshness and crunch.
Notes
Optional garnishes include chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat. For an extra crispy texture, cook the chicken nuggets in an air fryer before tossing with the sauce. You can also substitute apricot preserves for orange marmalade for a different fruity twist.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Simmering
- Cuisine: Asian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 790mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 45mg