Microwave Orange Chicken takes just 4 ingredients including chicken nuggets, soy sauce, bbq sauce and orange marmalade and just 2 minutes in the microwave!
Come on, we all know that famous and addicting orange chicken isn’t doing any favors for your budget. Make this Orange Chicken at home with a side of Microwave Egg Fried Rice.
MICROWAVE ORANGE CHICKEN
Microwave Orange Chicken lets you skip the take-out line byturningordinary chicken nuggets into atasty dinner that doesn’t cost you halfyour tip money.
You can only eat chicken nuggets the same way for so long before you lose your mind and start to throw frozen nuggets at your roommate just to pass the time. Don’t let it get to that point, try this hack first.
Grab some orange marmalade, some BBQ sauce, and some frozen nuggets (or other chicken) and prepare to say see ya later long food court lines. All you need is a microwave safe bowl that won’t explode in the microwave (read: glass or microwave safe plastic. Please no metal!), and you’re good to go*.
*Chopsticks optional. Making eating fun andchallenging is up to you.
Not that you need to be told how to eat orange chicken nuggets, but you can top them with goodies to add a little flair (AKA garnish your chicken like you’re a Top Chef). Add some chopped nuts (AKA put some peanuts into a freezer bag and stomp on it a few times) or some finely crushed gourmet red pepper (AKA the red pepper packets from the last pizza you ordered).
WHAT TO SERVE WITH MICROWAVE ORANGE CHICKEN
Try serving your nuggets with Fried Rice or our Microwave Steamed Rice for that full take-out experience in less than 10 minutes. It’s like Panda in your dorm room and you don’t have to interrupt your Netflix binge. You can also serve this with leftovers from the last time you braved the food court (as long as it was within a week). In case no one told you yet, do not reheat leftovers in the styrofoam box they came in.
Microwave Egg Fried RiceMicrowave Philly Cheesesteak Mac and CheeseMicrowave Crispy Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Legit Magic)Microwave Cheeseburger Mac and CheeseHOW TO MAKE MICROWAVE ORANGE CHICKEN
- Toss all the ingredients together in a microwave safe bowl.
- Cover with wet paper towel.
- Microwave for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
VARIATIONS
- Hot sauce:Sriracha is amazing on Orange Chicken, and it gives it a little bit of a feisty kick to keep things interesting. Don’t make things TOO interesting, start small.
- Chicken: You don’t have to just use chicken nuggets in this recipe. Use leftover chicken strips, pre-grilled chicken pieces, that rotisserie chicken you’ve been munching on the last 2 days, or even canned chicken.
- Tofu:Swap out baked Tofu for the chicken nuggets. Make sure you get the baked kind, regular tofu will turn into Orange “Chicken” Scramble. (Find it in the produce section.)
SAVE SOME FOR LATER
If you made waaaaay too much Orange Chicken and you regret your decision, you can always save some for lunch tomorrow. Just cover the bowl in plastic wrap and put it in the fridge. It will stay good for about 3 days. So don’t eat until you get sick, you can save it for later.
COST FACTOR
$: You really don’t need very much for this recipe, and all of it is fairly inexpensive. Which means you get to eat delicious take-out style food for almost no money, which is the dream.
MICROWAVE TABLE
- 1,000 watts or higher: Higher wattage, lower cook time. Our microwave is about 1,250 watts, but if you have one with about 1,000 watts you will want to cook for 3:36.
- 700 watts: Microwaves under about 900 don’t heat things evenly or consistently, so don’t go anywhere while you’re cooking. Cook for 5:09 but keep an eye on it.
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Print Recipe
Microwave Orange Chicken
Microwave Orange Chicken is a way to take ordinary chicken nuggets and make them into a thing of beauty.
Prep Time2 mins
Cook Time3 mins
Total Time5 mins
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian inspired
Keyword: Microwave Orange Chicken
Servings: 2 Serving
Calories: 262kcal
Author: Dorm Room Cook Staff
Ingredients
- 8 chicken nuggets , frozen
- 1 1/2 tablespoons BBQ Sauce
- 3 tablespoons sweet orange marmalade
- 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
Instructions
Toss all the ingredients together in a microwave safe bowl.
Cover with a wet paper towel.
Microwave 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition
Calories: 262kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 991mg | Potassium: 417mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 106IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg
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FAQs
Microwave Instructions
- Do not vent.
- Cook on high for 11 minutes.
- Remove film. Cook on high for 2 1/2 minutes.
- Let stand for 5 minutes. Stir if desired.
Heating Method
Preheat to 400 °F. * Place frozen chicken pieces on a foil-lined baking sheet. * Heat 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through.
How do you reheat Panda Express orange chicken in the microwave? ›
Instructions:
- Place the chicken in a microwave-safe container and cover with a damp paper towel.
- Place it in the microwave a heat for 1 minute.
- Take the container out and stir or shake the chicken around the bowl to redistribute the pieces.
- Put the container back in the microwave for another 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Cook in the microwave. Chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
How do you know when orange chicken is cooked? ›
Cook it Thoroughly
They recommend you cook your chicken until a thermometer inserted reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit, measuring the temperature either along the inside of the thigh or the thickest portion of the breast.
Can you fully cook raw chicken in the microwave? ›
Information. Meat can be cooked safely in a microwave oven, but it can cook unevenly and leave cold spots where harmful bacteria can survive. For this reason, it is important to cover the food, rotate or stir it once or twice during cooking, and make sure the meat reaches a safe internal temperature throughout.
Can you overcook chicken in microwave? ›
A microwave heats, and therefore cooks food. That's it. However most microwaves will only give you the effect of moist, i.e., braised, steamed style. Also if overcooked, chicken can be rubbery.
Can you microwave chicken if it's not fully cooked? ›
Mar 23, 2023
It is safe to partially cook meat and poultry in the microwave or on the stove only if the food is transferred immediately to the hot grill to finish cooking.
Why is my orange chicken soggy? ›
Whether Orange Chicken is baked or fried, it can get soggy if left to sit for too long once combined. To prevent soggy chicken, serve immediately or store the chicken and sauce separately, then combine when reheating.
How long can orange chicken sit out before it goes bad? ›
Unless the cooked chicken is kept warm, above 140°F, the general rule of thumb for cooked chicken is that it should not sit out on your kitchen table or buffet for more than two hours. Any cooked chicken left at room temperature for more than two hours should probably be thrown out.
Orange chicken is best enjoyed soon after making. If you have any leftover, let the chicken cool completely before storing it in an airtight container. It'll stay good in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
How long should I microwave leftover Chinese food? ›
Start with 30 seconds to 1 minute and then check the food for doneness. Depending on the quantity and type of food, it may need more time to heat up. Stir the food: After microwaving for a short amount of time, stir the food to redistribute the heat and prevent any hot spots from forming.
Is it better to reheat Chinese food in the oven or microwave? ›
Oven method: For larger dishes or items that may become soggy in the microwave, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and reheat the food in a covered oven-safe dish until it reaches the desired temperature.
How do you cook frozen orange chicken? ›
Prepare for Perfection
Place the frozen orange chicken pieces on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Make sure to space them evenly for even cooking. Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for the recommended time, typically around 20 minutes or until golden and crispy.
How do you warm up an orange in the microwave? ›
For a quick warm up, cut orange and arrange them on microwave safe plate. Microwave for 20 seconds and it's done !!
Can I microwave Trader Joes orange chicken? ›
For reheating orange chicken, it all depends on how much you have to heat up. If its just one serving, then it should be hot enough 3 minutes on level 4, or one setting below medium.
How long do you cook frozen orange chicken? ›
Preheat your oven to the temperature indicated on the package instructions, usually around 400°F (200°C). Bake the frozen orange chicken for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Can you cook raw chicken in the microwave? ›
Information. Meat can be cooked safely in a microwave oven, but it can cook unevenly and leave cold spots where harmful bacteria can survive. For this reason, it is important to cover the food, rotate or stir it once or twice during cooking, and make sure the meat reaches a safe internal temperature throughout.
