This orange marmalade chicken stir fry recipe is a quick and tasty impromptu 20-minute meal the family will enjoy. Using sweet orange marmalade as the base of the sauce makes preparation a breeze and results pretty much foolproof.
The Orange chicken features a scrumptious combination of sweet and savory flavors. This easy orange chicken recipe brings together the zesty bright taste of orange marmalade and the umami depth of soy sauce to create a simple dish that’s both comforting and tasty. Perfect for busy weeknights, this orange marmalade chicken recipe is a fantastic alternative to takeout, delivering a flavorful meal in less than 30 minutes. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner solution or a new family favorite, this orange marmalade chicken is sure to satisfy your craving for something sweet, tangy, and utterly delicious.
Orange Marmalade Chicken Stir Fry
Marmalade makes an excellent base for a stir fry sauce or glaze. It adds both sweetness and citrus flavor in one fell swoop. Due to it's consistency, you also need a little less cornstarch to thicken the sauce too. When using marmalade in a chicken stir fry, I prefer good old fashioned orange marmalade, but if you prefer a pineapple or lemon marmalade would also make a good stir fry sauce. I tend to go for them when making seafood myself.
This homemade Orange Chicken with marmalade stir fry is certainly quick and easy enough for a week night family meal, but would also pass as fare for a special dinner with your significant other. In the summer, I made a thicker version of the sweet orange sauce, for glazing grilled meats. My daughter goes crazy for it.
Variations on the Recipe
As this is a rather simple recipe, it is also easy to make it your own with adjustments or add-ins.
- Toss in some pecans or other chopped nuts while stir frying to add a rich nutty flavor, and boost your omeg-3s for the day.
- Add some vegetables, such as thinly sliced carrots, broccoli florets or sweet red peppers into the pan and lightly sauté before adding the sliced chicken into the pan. (If you add a lot of veggies double up on the sauce).
- Feel free to use chicken tenderloins or sliced boneless skinless chicken thighs in the recipe if you prefer darker meat.
- For diabetics or those following a low carb lifestyle using a sugar free marmalade will make this recipe suit your needs.
- Try swapping in pineapple or lemon marmalade in the recipe. Either will also create a delicious chicken dish.
- Wild shrimp, chunks of salmon or pork are also well suited to the cooking method and sauce.
- Spice the orange chicken up with a couple pinches of crushed red pepper flakes or a teaspoon of jarred chili garlic paste.
- Grate a little fresh ginger into the pan while cooking to zing the flavor up a bit.
- If you need to extend the sauce, a splash of chicken bone broth or a little sweet smokey BBQ sauce would be well suited.
- For a thinner sauce or when reheating leftovers a splash of orange juice will do the trick.
Serving
Serve this easy orange chicken recipe over steamed white rice, brown rice or even cauliflower rice. Noodles would also be a great choice. Add a simple veggie, like steamed broccoli, baked asparagus spears or slow cooker glazed carrots to round out a complete meal.
If you like easy stir fry recipes, you may also like my Mongolian Beef, Spicy Tuna Stir Fry, or Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry.
Orange Marmalade Chicken (Stir Fry)
Ingredients
- ½ cup orange marmalade
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon corn starch
- ½ tablespoon oil Any high heat oil will do (such as avocado oil, canola oil or peanut oil)
- ½ cup sweet onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound boneless chicken breasts sliced into bite sized strips
Instructions
- Whisk together the orange marmalade, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger & corn starch. Set the mixture aside.
- Heat oil in skillet or wok over med-high heat. Add onion and garlic. Stir fry for approximately two minutes until garlic is soft and onions are nearly cooked.
- Add the chicken, and just stir fry until cooked.
- Add the sauce mix, stir for a couple minutes until sauce thickens a bit and cornstarch is cooked.
- Serve over white or brown rice. Noodles would also be a great choice. (It is shown served over an heirloom grain mixture). Drizzle any remaining sauce over the top for extra flavor and presentation.
Nutrition
More Quick Chicken Stir Fry Dinners
Colleen says
Oh this looks delicious and sounds great.
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says
How funny -- this is nearly identical to how I make Orange Chicken ... I just add in some spice to balance the marmalade.
Jennifer @ My Sweet Sanity says
I like how this is like orange chicken minus the breading and frying. I will have to try this at my house.
Ty says
This looks really delicious!
Raijean Stroud says
Now this looks delicious! I could use some of this right now!
Lolo says
This looks delicious. I love making stir fry!
Shell Feis says
That sounds so yummy! I love stir frys.
Toni says
I love making stir fry but I usually just use the bottled sauce LOL. This seems pretty easy so I will definitely have to try it.
Kathleen says
Not only does this look delicious, but I am pretty sure I can turn it into a crockpot meal! Yay!
Lucero @We Are Earthformed says
I love chicken stir fries but I'm not a big fan of sweet on meat. I've tried pineapple and ham and sweet barbecue sauce and it's just not my thing.
Robin Gagnon says
Funny, I used to be the same way, until a few years ago.
Tiff @ Babes and Kids says
I like that this can double as an everyday meal and also as a nicer meal.
Katie says
I bet I could even get my semi-picky daughter to eat this. It sounds delicious!
Lisa McCrory Johnston says
Totally something my kiddos would eat, too! Thank you for sharing!
Not So Average Mama says
Ohhh my oldest daughter would love this!
Lynsey @MoscatoMom says
Looks delish! And over quinoa!! yum yum yum...
Nikki says
That looks really good! I've been craving a good stir fry dish. I just need orange marmalade.
Tammy Litke (@threedifferent) says
Oh I have a jar of apricot marmalade in my fridge that is now screaming to be used in this!
Robin Gagnon says
That sounds good Tammy.
Michelle says
This looks so good! I love to make stirfry!
Cat Davis says
I really want to try this. Every time I make a stir fry I dry the chicken out. Yours doesn't look dry at all.
Robin Gagnon says
Always cook your chicken last, after the veggies are done & when it isn't even 100% cooked add your sauce. By the time your sauce is done, any pinkness will be gone. (I worked in a couple Asian restaurants in my 20's and watched the cooks like a hawk whenever I wasn't busy.)
Marcie W. says
Sounds like an easy way to make tasty orange chicken. I know this recipe would be a big hit around our house!
Sarah @ Must Have Mom says
That looks so delicious! My family would love it
trisha says
I was really curious on that rice you served w/ it. How does it taste?
Robin Gagnon says
It is a gluten-free heirloom grain blend from Nature's Earthly Choice, that I grabbed on sale. I had it hanging around, afraid to try it for awhile. I didn't think they would all cook right together, but it was pretty good.
Digna Dreibelbis says
This looks yummy! Chicken is my favorite form of protein. I eat it all the time. Thank you for sharing this, giving it a pin.
Donna says
This looks delicious! I can't wait to try it!
Brandi says
We actually had stir fry for dinner tonight. Sweet and Sour Beef with peppers. Nom nom nom. I'm pinning this one to add to our stir fry ideas.