Air Fryer Orange Chicken Meatballs

Are you looking for a delicious and easy twist on the classic Chinese takeout - Orange Chicken? Try this flavorful Air Fryer Orange Chicken Meatball recipe! These juicy bites are packed with the perfect balance of tender chicken, citrusy orange zest, and a savory glaze. Winner winner orange chicken dinner! Ready in less than 20 minutes.

It resembles our favorite Chinese takeout, minus the hassle and grease, and in just half the time. This recipe is one of our absolute favorite weeknight dinners. If you're looking for another easy dinner try this sheetpan Honey Soy Cashew Chicken.

Chicken is lean meat, so it doesn't come with a ton of grease, but thanks to the air fryer browning the outside, it allows the moisture to be trapped inside. Not just for dinner, these make the perfect bite-size appetizer or party snack! I love making extra and repurposing the leftovers for my daughter’s school lunch.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Versatility: They can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or even in salads or wraps, offering versatility in meal planning.
• Texture: The chicken is tender on the inside with a crispy exterior.
• Healthy: Traditional orange chicken is deep-fried. This air fryer version uses less oil.
• Ease of Preparation: The recipe is relatively straightforward. You don't need to make a batter or do a lot of prep work.
• Family Favorite: It's a crowd-pleaser, loved by both kids and adults alike, making it an ideal choice for family meals.
• Customizable: Homemade orange chicken meatballs allow for customization, ensuring you can adjust the sauce's sweetness and spice to suit your taste.
• Leftover Potential: Any leftovers can be repurposed for future meals, saving time and reducing food waste. Freeze the leftovers for future dinners.

Equipment Needed

• Air Fryer
• Parchment Paper (optional but it makes clean-up a breeze)
• Mixing Bowl
• Medium cookie scoop (for uniform meatballs)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Pot or saucepan
• Lemon zester

Ingredients

For the meatballs, you'll need ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, an egg, minced garlic, grated ginger, salt, ground pepper, and some orange zest.

For the sauce, I used freshly squeezed orange juice and some water to equal 1 cup of liquid. Alternatively, you can also use refrigerated orange juice. Depending on the oranges that you use, you may need to adjust the seasoning.

Use honey or sugar as the sweetener, adjust the amount as desired. Season the sauce with rice vinegar, soy sauce, grated ginger, salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. The red pepper flakes will give it a little kick, if you're not a fan of spice, you can omit this.

Thicken the sauce up with a cornstarch slurry and add orange zest.

⬇️ Please scroll down to the recipe card to see the full ingredient amounts and instructions ⬇️

How to Make it

Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Gather and prepare the ingredients by zesting and juicing 3 oranges, mincing the garlic, and grating the ginger.

Step 2: Make the orange sauce. In a saucepan or small pot, add 1 cup of orange juice plus water, honey (or sugar), vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, salt, ground pepper, and red chili flakes. Heat for 3 minutes.

Step 3: Thicken the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to form a paste. Add to the orange sauce and whisk together. Continue to cook for 5 minutes, until the mixture begins to thicken. Once the sauce is thickened, remove from the heat and add orange zest.

Step 4: Season the ground chicken. In a large mixing bowl, mix together ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, ginger, salt, ground pepper, and orange zest. Mix until well incorporated but don't overmix or the chicken will become dense.

Step 5: Form the meatballs. Using a medium cookie scoop or a spoon, scoop and roll the mixture into 2-tablespoon balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet/air fryer tray. (I recommend greasing your hands with a bit of olive oil to prevent the mixture from sticking.)

Step 6: Air fry. Spray cooking oil on top of the meatballs. Air fry for about 12 minutes or until the meatballs are browned and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 155-160°F). [Chicken tends to dry out pretty quickly so keep a close eye on it. The meatballs will continue to cook off the heat.]

Step 7: Serve. Toss the chicken meatballs with the sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips for the best Air Fryer Orange Chicken Meatballs

• To make this healthy with minimal effort, use whole wheat panko breadcrumbs.
• If you don't mind getting your hands dirty, use your hands to gently mix the meatball ingredients.
• Do not press down on the meat. To keep the meatballs moist and not too dense, you don't want to work the meat too much.
• Aim for uniform-sized meatballs to ensure even cooking. A cookie scoop or hands lightly coated with oil can help shape them consistently.
• For the sauce, use orange juice or a mixture of orange juice and water. You’ll need 1 cup of liquid.
• Use a kitchen thermometer to check for doneness. The internal temperature should read 155-160°F.
• Remember not to overcrowd the air fryer. Leave enough space in between for the air to circulate.
• To hide some veggies that will also add moisture, add some shredded zucchini. The kids will never know!

Can I make this recipe without using the air fryer?

You bet! You can bake or pan-sear the meatballs before adding it to the sauce. To bake, set the oven to 400°F and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. To pan sear, in a pan with oil, sear each side for about 2-3 minutes until cooked through. Toss the cooked meatballs with the orange sauce.

Can I Sneak Some Veggies in?

These meatballs are great for sneaking in some veggies to make it even healthier (great for those picky eaters!). Here are some options:

• chopped spinach
• chopped kale
• finely chopped or grated carrots
• grated zucchini
• chopped broccoli florets

You can also grind the vegetables up in the food processor to save time.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Orange Chicken Meatballs

Pour the chicken meatballs and orange sauce over white rice or fried rice. These would also go great with some roasted vegetables such as air fryer broccoli, air fryer asparagus, air fryer Chinese green beans, or miso sesame Brussels sprouts.

How to store leftovers

Allow the cooked meatballs to cool at room temperature for no more than 2 hours after cooking. Place the meatballs (with or without sauce) in an airtight container. 

Refrigeration: If you plan to consume the leftovers within 3-4 days, store the container in the refrigerator. Make sure the container is tightly sealed to prevent odors from permeating the meatballs.

Freezing (Long-term storage): Make extra and freeze so you have meatballs ready for a quick snack or throw in a protein for dinner. Let the meatballs cool down completely before placing them into a freezer-safe airtight container or freezer bag. Press all the air out of the bag. Store for up to 2 months. When you're ready to eat, thaw the meatballs in the fridge overnight.

Reheating: When ready to enjoy the leftovers, reheat them in the oven, microwave, or air fryer. Ensure they reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are safe to eat.

Ways to Repurpose Leftovers

• Orange Chicken Stir-Fry: Slice the leftover orange chicken meatballs into smaller pieces. Stir-fry some fresh vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and snap peas.
• Orange Chicken Salad: Create a salad by combining mixed greens, chopped cucumbers, red onions, and cherry tomatoes. Slice the leftover orange chicken meatballs and place it on top of the salad. Drizzle with a tangy vinaigrette dressing made with orange juice, olive oil, and vinegar.
• Orange Chicken Wrap: Place leftover orange chicken meatballs in a large tortilla. Add shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a drizzle of ranch or Asian-inspired dressing. Roll it up like a burrito and enjoy.
• Orange Chicken Fried Rice: Dice the leftover orange chicken into small cubes. Make a batch of fried rice with cooked rice, peas, carrots, and scrambled eggs. Stir in the diced orange chicken and a little soy sauce for extra flavor.
• Orange Chicken Rice Bowl: Arrange a bowl with cooked quinoa or rice as the base. Top with leftover orange chicken, steamed broccoli, sliced avocado, and a drizzle of Sriracha or your favorite sauce.

RECIPE