This easy orange chicken recipe with just 3 ingredients is sweet, sticky, and totally addictive. Using crispy frozen nuggets, BBQ sauce, and marmalade, it comes together in 15 minutes flat no frying, no fuss. It’s kid-approved, perfect for busy weeknights, and way better than takeout.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
What is 3-Ingredient Orange Chicken?
Let’s be real. Weeknight dinners can be chaos. That’s where this easy orange chicken recipe 3 ingredients style comes in saving your sanity while delivering major flavor. It’s got everything: tangy sweetness from orange marmalade, smoky kick from BBQ sauce, and that irresistible crunch from golden nuggets. Toss it all together, and boom instant dinner win.
Inspired by the takeout favorite, this shortcut version skips the battering and frying. Instead, we use precooked chicken nuggets and a fast stovetop (or microwave!) sauce to get dinner on the table in 15 minutes. You can even pop it in the crockpot if you’re feeling hands-off. If you’re all about no-stress flavor bombs, you’ll also love our beef and broccoli crockpot recipe for another sweet-and-savory hit.
You won’t need any hard-to-find ingredients or fancy tools here. Just a baking sheet, a microwave, and a hungry crew.
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3-Ingredient Orange Chicken
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This easy orange chicken recipe with just 3 ingredients is sweet, sticky, and totally addictive. Using crispy frozen nuggets, BBQ sauce, and marmalade, it comes together in 15 minutes flat no frying, no fuss.
Equipments:
- Instant Pot Duo Plus 6‑Qt 9‑in‑1 Programmable Pressure Cooker
- Instant Vortex Plus 6‑Qt Air Fryer (ClearCook + OdorErase)
- Aucma 6.5‑Qt 6‑Speed Tilt‑Head Stand Mixer
Ingredients
5 cups chicken nuggets, precooked
1 cup sweet orange marmalade
1/2 cup BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s recommended)
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons sesame oil (optional)
Instructions
- Cook chicken nuggets according to package instructions.
- Mix together orange marmalade, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, and sesame oil in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Cover with a damp paper towel and microwave for 45 seconds.
- Stir well and toss with hot, crispy nuggets until fully coated.
- Serve immediately with rice, veggies, or noodles.
Notes
Double the sauce if serving over rice or noodles.
Store in the fridge up to 3 days.
Add red pepper flakes for heat or sesame seeds for garnish.
- Prep Time: 14 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Microwave + Oven
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 566
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 1151mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0.03g
- Carbohydrates: 84g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: n/a
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s Fast, Foolproof, and Full of Flavor
When you’ve got a hungry crew and zero energy, this 3 ingredient orange chicken hits different. You don’t need a wok, oil splatters, or 20 sauces to guess your way through dinner. You toss crispy nuggets in a sticky-sweet glaze and call it a night. Done. Delicious. No delivery fee.
Perfect for Picky Eaters (and Adults Too)
There’s something magical about the combo of BBQ sauce and marmalade it’s sweet, a little smoky, and tangy enough to wake up those taste buds. Whether you’re feeding toddlers or teenagers, it works. Want to make it a meal? Pair it with our chicken cobbler for the ultimate comfort combo.
Zero Prep, Minimal Cleanup
You’re literally microwaving a sauce and tossing it over frozen nuggets. There’s no chopping, no marinading, no mess. Just throw away the sauce bowl when you’re done. And if you love one-pan, minimal-mess meals, our bang bang shrimp is another weeknight winner.
Slow Cooker or Instant Pot? Yep!
This recipe’s flexible. Want to make 3 ingredient orange chicken slow cooker style? Just dump everything into your crockpot and let it warm on low for a few hours. Craving that same flavor but want it even faster? Go Instant Pot mode 3 ingredient orange chicken instant pot meals are TikTok-famous for a reason.
How to Make Easy Orange Chicken (3 Ingredients)
Quick Overview
All you need for this easy crockpot orange chicken 3 ingredients version is 15 minutes, frozen nuggets, and the easiest sauce of all time. You can make it in the microwave, on the stove, or throw it in a slow cooker and forget it.
Great for beginners, meal-preppers, or just anyone who’s tired of bland chicken.
Ingredients Table
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Chicken nuggets (precooked) | 5 cups |
| Sweet orange marmalade | 1 cup |
| BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s recommended) | ½ cup |
| Soy sauce | 3 tablespoons |
| Sesame oil (optional) | 2 teaspoons |
Looking to build a takeout-style dinner at home? Pair this with our honey walnut shrimp for a full Chinese-inspired night.
Step-by-Step
- Bake the chicken nuggets
Follow the instructions on the bag to get them golden and crispy. (Usually about 10–12 minutes in a hot oven.) - Make the sauce
In a microwave-safe bowl, mix the orange marmalade, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Cover with a damp paper towel. - Heat the sauce
Microwave for about 45 seconds or until warm and smooth. Stir well. - Toss it together
Place hot, crispy nuggets in a large bowl and pour the warm sauce over. Toss until every piece is fully coated in that sticky, glossy glaze.
Want to go slow cooker style? Toss the cooked nuggets and sauce into your crockpot and let them soak for 1–2 hours on low. Our firecracker steak and shrimp also works great with this method!
What to Serve Orange Chicken With
Keep It Easy with Rice or Noodles
The sticky-sweet sauce from this 3 ingredient orange chicken crock pot meal was made for soaking into warm rice. White jasmine rice? Yes. Fried rice? Even better. Don’t want rice? Toss it with quick-cooked lo mein or ramen noodles for a fun twist. No judgment if it’s microwave rice we’re all about fast wins here.
Frozen Veggies for the Win
Need a quick side? Pop some frozen broccoli, stir-fry mix, or green beans in the microwave while your nuggets bake. Drizzle with sesame oil or soy sauce for a quick, flavorful veggie hit. Or try our beef and broccoli recipe for a built-in side dish that matches the flavor vibe.
Appetizer Ideas
Turn dinner into a fun takeout-style spread with sides like:
- Frozen spring rolls or potstickers
- Edamame with sea salt
- Cucumber salad tossed with rice vinegar and sesame
Our bang bang shrimp makes a bold appetizer if you’re entertaining, too.
Kid-Approved Add-Ons
Need to stretch it into a full meal for the kids? Serve orange chicken in a bowl with rice on the bottom and steamed broccoli on top, or slice into sliders with Hawaiian rolls for little hands.
Top Tips for Perfecting This Recipe
Use Crispy Nuggets for the Best Texture
The crispier the nugget, the better it holds up to the sticky sauce. Whether you’re baking, air frying, or even deep frying, you want those nuggets golden and crunchy before tossing them in your easy orange chicken sauce.
Don’t Overheat the Sauce
Microwaving for about 45 seconds is perfect. Overheating can make the sauce too thick or even split. Just get it warm enough to stir easily. If you’re making 3 ingredient orange chicken instant pot style, mix the sauce after pressure cooking to keep it smooth.
Add Extras If You Want a Boost
This recipe is 3 ingredients at its core but if you want to level up:
- Add crushed red pepper for heat
- Mix in garlic powder or fresh ginger for depth
- Sprinkle sesame seeds or green onions on top for flair
Zoe loves turning shortcuts into showstoppers, just like with our chicken cobbler where rotisserie chicken gets a cozy glow-up.
Double the Sauce If You Like It Extra Sticky
Want more coating power? Double the sauce and save half for drizzling after plating. It’s a great move if serving over rice or noodles.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Fridge-Friendly for Up to 3 Days
Store leftover orange chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’ll stay fresh and flavorful for up to 3 days. Since the sauce thickens as it sits, you may want to add a splash of water or soy sauce when reheating to loosen it up.
How to Reheat Without Losing That Texture
- Oven/Air Fryer: Reheat the nuggets at 350°F for about 6–8 minutes to re-crisp them.
- Microwave: Use short bursts and stir halfway through, but be aware the coating may soften.
- Stovetop: Reheat gently in a pan over medium heat with a small spoon of water or extra sauce.
Avoid reheating in plastic containers to keep things food-safe. For more on safe reheating practices, here’s a USDA guide to food safety.
Can You Freeze It?
Freezing is possible but not ideal. The sauce can separate when thawed and the nuggets may lose crispness. If you do freeze it, reheat in the oven and add fresh sauce if possible.
Pro tip: If you’re batch prepping meals, make a fresh batch of sauce and freeze it separately from the chicken. Our firecracker steak and shrimp is another great meal to prep ahead.
FAQs
What is needed for orange chicken?
For this version, all you need are precooked chicken nuggets, sweet orange marmalade, and smoky BBQ sauce. Soy sauce and sesame oil add extra depth, but they’re totally optional. No cornstarch or deep frying required.
What are the three ingredients in orange chicken?
The magic combo: chicken nuggets, orange marmalade, and BBQ sauce. That’s it. No joke. It’s bold, sweet, tangy, and better than takeout.
How long does orange chicken sauce last?
Stored in an airtight container, the sauce will last up to 1 week in the fridge. Reheat it gently before using again. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months, though the texture may thin slightly once thawed.
What is the easy 3 ingredient orange chicken sauce that’s better than takeout?
Our favorite mix is 1 cup orange marmalade, ½ cup BBQ sauce, and a splash of soy sauce. It’s sweet, savory, and incredibly sticky. Toss it over crispy chicken and serve hot!
Conclusion
This easy orange chicken recipe 3 ingredients is proof that dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious. With just a handful of pantry staples and 15 minutes, you’ve got a sticky-sweet, crave-worthy meal that hits all the takeout vibes without the wait. Whether you’re cooking for picky eaters or just need a win on a busy night, this one’s always a hit.
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