This 4-Ingredient Dinner Tastes Like a Restaurant Favorite

I love to cook, but I also love convenient shortcuts, especially on weeknights. I’m always looking for ways to save time and trim prep so that I can quickly get a meal on the table. A stocked freezer, fridge, and pantry help make that possible. One of my staples is a bag of frozen chicken nuggets. I serve them with dipping sauce, but I’ve found several ways to “re-invent” them. 

For example I like adding cooked nuggets to wraps with hot sauce, lettuce, and blue cheese dressing, or to bowls of pasta tossed with spicy marinara sauce. Nothing is off limits, which is why I was drawn to this recipe for four-ingredient orange chicken. It’s a creative idea, produced with limited ingredients—most of which are kitchen staples—making it the perfect shortcut recipe!

How to Make 4-Ingredient Orange Chicken

The recipe starts with cooking up one pound of your favorite chicken nuggets. While the nuggets bake, you warm up a sauce made with orange marmalade, barbecue sauce, and soy sauce. Once the nuggets are fully cooked, you transfer them to a large bowl then drizzle with the sauce. Toss the nuggets with the sauce then serve them garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

The resulting chicken is crispy, with a tangy and sweet coating that is reminiscent of the orange chicken found at restaurants. I served my nuggets over rice, along with some frozen vegetables that I stir-fried. My family enjoyed it, but only after adding a healthy drizzle of hot sauce over everything. We all agreed it was a fun dish, but with some modifications.

Tips for Making This Easy Orange Chicken Recipe

• Don’t add all of the sauce. The sauce is tasty, but I recommend starting with half the amount and then adding more as needed to fit your preference. I like to serve any extra sauce on the side—that way I can use it for garnishing my rice and vegetables.
• Add the garnishes. You may think the garnish here is optional, but let me tell you that those sesame seeds and those thin slices of green onion add complexity to this simple dish. Don’t skip them.
• Add some heat. I’m a girl who likes spice, so I added a splash of Sriracha to my chicken just before enjoying. If your crew likes spice, consider adding some hot sauce or crushed red pepper to the sauce before tossing with the chicken. Or, serve it on the table so that everyone can add what they like.

Get the Recipe: 4-Ingredient Orange Chicken