Easy Orange Chicken Recipe for Dinner

My Sunny Orange Chicken

This recipe is pure sunshine on a plate. It’s sweet, a little tangy, and so cozy. I make it when my grandkids visit. Their eyes light up every single time.

It reminds me of my friend Mae. She brought a similar dish to a picnic years ago. I begged her for the recipe right there on the spot. I still laugh at that. Now it feels like my own.

Why Simple Food Matters

This dish uses just a few ingredients. That matters. Good food doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s about the feeling it gives you.

Sharing a homemade meal says “I care about you.” That’s the real secret ingredient. It turns a regular Tuesday into something special. What’s your favorite “feel-good” meal to share?

Let’s Get Cooking

First, make your sunny glaze. Mix the marmalade, BBQ sauce, and soy sauce in a bowl. Give it a good stir. Doesn’t that smell amazing already?

Now for the chicken. Dip each piece in the beaten egg. Let the extra drip off. Then roll it in the flour. This gives it a nice little jacket.

The Sizzle & The Simmer

Heat your oil in a big pan. Cook the chicken until it’s golden. You might need to do two batches. That’s okay. Good things take a little time.

Pour your glaze right into the pan. Add all the chicken back. Let it bubble and get thick for about 10 minutes. The sauce will cling to every piece. *Fun fact: The orange marmalade gives it a bright flavor, while the BBQ sauce makes it rich and smoky.*

Serving With Love

I love this over fluffy white rice. The sauce soaks right in. A sprinkle of green onions on top looks pretty. It also adds a fresh bite.

This matters because we eat with our eyes first. Taking an extra minute to plate it nicely shows love. Do you prefer rice or noodles with saucy dishes like this?

Your Kitchen Stories

Food is best with stories. My grandson once tried to eat three helpings. He almost popped a button! We still tease him about it.

That’s the magic. The recipes we pass down hold our laughter and love. What’s a funny food memory from your family? I’d love to hear it.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Skinless chicken breasts, diced	2 pounds	Diced into 1-inch cubes
All-purpose flour	1 cup
Eggs, beaten	2 large
Vegetable oil	2 tablespoons	Use more if needed
For the Glaze
Orange marmalade	1 cup
BBQ sauce (e.g., Sweet Baby Ray’s original)	1 cup
Low sodium soy sauce	2 tablespoons

My Easy Orange Chicken That Tastes Like Sunshine

Hello, my dear! Come sit. Let’s make my easy orange chicken. It’s sweet, sticky, and so happy. It always reminds me of my grandson’s birthday. He requests it every single year. I still laugh at that. The secret is a jar of sunny marmalade. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It makes the whole kitchen glow. You can have this on the table faster than you think. Let’s get our hands a little messy. It’s the best part.

• Step 1: First, make your sunshine sauce. Grab a small bowl. Plop in the whole jar of orange marmalade. Add the BBQ sauce and the soy sauce. Now give it a really good stir. Watch the colors swirl together. It becomes a beautiful, glossy orange. (My hard-learned tip: Use a fork to break up any big chunks of marmalade peel). Taste a tiny bit on a spoon. Is it tangy and sweet? Perfect.
• Step 2: Time for the chicken. Crack your eggs into a shallow dish and beat them with a fork. Put your flour in another dish. Take a chicken cube. Dip it in the egg, let the extra drip off. Then roll it in the flour. You want a light, snowy coat. I think this part is fun. It’s like dressing the chicken in a little jacket.
• Step 3: Warm the oil in your big skillet. Carefully add your chicken pieces. Don’t crowd them. We want them to get a bit crispy. Cook until they are golden brown on all sides. This takes about 5-7 minutes. Why shouldn’t we crowd the pan? Share below! Set the cooked chicken on a plate. It will finish cooking in the sauce later.
• Step 4: Now for the magic. Pour your sunny sauce right into the warm skillet. Let it bubble for a minute. Then add all the chicken back in. Gently stir until every piece is covered in that shiny glaze. Let it simmer together for about 5 minutes. The sauce will thicken and hug the chicken. Oh, it’s a beautiful sight. Serve it right away, while it’s hot and happy.

Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4-6 servings
Category: Dinner

Three Fun Twists to Make It Yours

This recipe is like a favorite sweater. You can dress it up differently! Here are three ideas I love. The Veggie Swap: Use big chunks of cauliflower or tofu instead of chicken. They soak up the sauce wonderfully. The Spicy Kick: Add a big spoonful of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the glaze. It gives it a nice little buzz. The Citrus Mix-Up: Try using lemon or lime marmalade instead of orange. It’s a totally different, zingy adventure. Which one would you try first? Comment below!

What to Serve With Your Sunshine Chicken

This chicken loves company on the plate. I always serve it over a big cloud of fluffy white rice. The rice catches all the extra sauce. A simple side of steamed broccoli is perfect for a green crunch. For a treat, sprinkle sesame seeds on top. It looks so pretty. To drink, a cold glass of ginger ale feels festive. For the grown-ups, a crisp lager beer cuts through the sweetness nicely. You’ll have a complete, cozy meal on the table. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Orange Chicken Cozy

This dish keeps well in the fridge for three days. Just pop it in a sealed container. For the freezer, let it cool completely first. Then, store it flat in a freezer bag for up to three months.

I remember my first time freezing it. I was so proud to have a ready-made dinner for a busy night. To reheat, just warm it in a pan with a splash of water. This keeps the sauce from getting too sticky.

Batch cooking like this saves you time and money. It means a good meal is always close by. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Hiccups

Is your sauce too thin? Just let it bubble a bit longer. The extra heat will thicken it right up. Is your chicken not crispy? Make sure your oil is hot before adding the pieces. I once added them too soon. They steamed instead of frying!

Is the flour coating falling off? Give the egg-dipped chicken a gentle shake. This removes the extra egg so the flour sticks. Getting a good sear matters for texture. A balanced sauce matters for that sweet and tangy flavor we love. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Use gluten-free flour and tamari instead of soy sauce.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Absolutely. Prepare the sauce and coat the chicken early. Cook them together just before eating.

Q: What if I don’t have marmalade? A: Use half a cup of orange juice and two tablespoons of honey. Fun fact: This is how my grandma did it before marmalade was common!

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: You can. Just cook the chicken in more batches so the pan isn’t crowded.

Q: Any optional tips? A: A sprinkle of sesame seeds or green onion on top looks lovely. Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope this recipe brings a smile to your table. Cooking is about sharing joy and full bellies. I would love to see your creation. A photo of your dinner makes my whole day brighter.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest @ChloesCozyKitchen! I can’t wait to see what you make. Thank you for letting me share my kitchen with you.

Happy cooking!
—Chloe Hartwell.