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Orange Chicken With Chicken Nuggets

Orange chicken with chicken nuggets makes a sweet, sticky, takeout-style dinner by baking frozen nuggets until crisp, then coating them in a glossy orange sauce. The sauce is simmered until thick, then tossed with nuggets for bright citrus flavor in every bite.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Frozen chicken nuggets
  • 1 bag (24 oz) frozen chicken nuggets
Orange sauce
  • 1 cup orange marmalade
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • 0.333 cup soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 2 green onions, sliced

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 saucepan

Method
 

Bake the nuggets
  1. Bake the chicken nuggets according to package directions until crispy, then transfer them to a large bowl.
  2. Pour the orange sauce over the nuggets and toss gently until fully coated, then garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Make the orange sauce
  1. In a saucepan, combine orange marmalade, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic powder, ginger, and sesame oil.
  2. Heat over medium heat and stir until smooth.
  3. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to form a slurry.
  4. Stir the slurry into the sauce.
  5. Cook for 2–3 minutes until thick and glossy.

Notes

For the best stick, coat the nuggets right after the sauce thickens so it clings while warm. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat in the oven or air fryer to restore crispness (not freezer-friendly for best texture). If you want a gluten-free swap, use tamari in place of soy sauce and check the nuggets’ label.