Name: 4‑Ingredient Orange Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients: 1 cup orange marmalade; ½ cup Kansas City–style BBQ sauce; ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce; 1 (1 pound) bag frozen fully cooked chicken nuggets; Optional garnish: sliced green onions, sesame seeds

A quick, crowd-pleasing twist on takeout-style orange chicken—using just four pantry staples and frozen chicken nuggets. It’s a fuss-free way I satisfy cravings with minimal effort. 4‑Ingredient Orange Chicken

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I adore how this recipe transforms frozen chicken nuggets into a saucy, Asian-inspired dish without complicated prep. It’s ready in about 25 minutes, and I only need one small saucepan and an oven tray. Once I bake the nuggets until crisp and toss them in a sticky orange glaze, everyone’s asking for seconds.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

1 cup orange marmalade
½ cup Kansas City–style BBQ sauce
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 (1-pound) bag frozen fully cooked chicken nuggets
Optional garnish: sliced green onions, sesame seeds

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Arrange the frozen nuggets in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 11–13 minutes, or until crisp and heated through.
While the nuggets bake, whisk together the orange marmalade, BBQ sauce, and soy sauce in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat until the sauce is hot and fully combined, about 5 minutes.
Transfer the hot nuggets to a large bowl, pour the warmed sauce over them, and toss until evenly coated.
Serve over steamed rice and sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

Servings and timing

Servings: 4
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes

Variations

Spice it up: I like to stir in a bit of sriracha or chili paste for extra heat.
Alternate proteins: Sometimes I use popcorn chicken, rotisserie chicken, or tofu instead of nuggets.
Vinegar boost: If the sauce is too sweet, I add a splash of rice vinegar to brighten the flavor.

Storage/reheating

I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, I either microwave portions or warm them in a skillet over medium heat until hot throughout.

FAQs

Can I use homemade chicken instead of nuggets?

Yes, I often cook diced boneless chicken thighs or breasts and then toss them in the sauce. The flavor’s just as great.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Absolutely. I use gluten-free BBQ sauce and tamari instead of regular soy sauce to make it suitable.

How can I adjust the sweetness?

If the sauce turns out too sweet, I balance it by adding extra soy sauce or a bit of vinegar.

What goes well with this dish?

I love serving it over rice or noodles with a side of steamed broccoli or stir-fried vegetables.

Can I prep the sauce in advance?

Yes, I sometimes make the sauce ahead of time and reheat it gently before using. It saves even more time during dinner rush.

Conclusion

This 4-ingredient orange chicken is one of my favorite quick meals. It’s easy, flavorful, and made with ingredients I usually have on hand. Whether I need a fast weeknight dinner or a fun twist on takeout, this recipe always delivers.