Sweet & Spicy Mandarin Orange Chicken

Step 1

Prep Chicken & Sauce: Cut chicken into bite sized pieces and add to a large bowl. Toss with 2tbs soy sauce. Set aside.

Step 2

Make Sweet & Spicy Orange Sauce: In a small sauce pan, heat 2tsp sesame oil on medium low until warm. Add minced garlic & toss until fragrant and coated for about 30 seconds to a minute. Add other sauce ingredients: orange juice, zest if using, ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar & honey. You will use tbs cornstarch at the end. Cook on medium low 15 minutes or so while cooking chicken. Stir often.

Step 3

Coat Chicken in Cornstarch: Heat large skillet with avocado oil. Drain chicken of soy sauce the best you can. Next, add egg whites to chicken and toss to coat. Drain again. I like to leave a little in there for the corn starch to stick & extra crispy bits. Add 1/3 cup of cornstarch and toss chicken to coat. It's going to be sticky. Toss again in another 1/3 cup cornstarch. Add a splash of water if it seems too dry or there is a lot of unmixed cornstarch.

Step 4

Make Chicken: Air Fryer instructions below. When oil is hot enough (chicken sizzles as soon as it hits the oil), add chicken pieces in one layer not touching. Cook 2-3 minutes on one side until nice and golden brown. Flip and cook another 2 minutes. Drain on double lined paper towels.

Step 5

When chicken is finished cooking: mix 3tsp cornstarch with a splash of water. Add cornstarch mixture to sauce & Raise heat to medium-high & look for slow, fat bubbles after about 30seconds to 1minute. Toss chicken with mandarin orange sauce. Serve hot over sticky rice & lots of green onion with your favorite steamed veggies.