🎉 Introduction
This 3-Ingredient Orange Chicken proves that delicious, crowd-pleasing dinners don’t need long ingredient lists or complicated steps. With just three simple ingredients, you get tender chicken coated in a glossy, sweet-savory orange sauce that tastes like a takeout favorite—made right at home.
Perfect for busy weeknights, beginners, or anyone who loves minimal-ingredient recipes, this dish delivers big flavor with almost zero effort. It’s fast, family-friendly, and endlessly satisfying. If you’re looking for a quick chicken dinner that checks all the boxes, this recipe is for you.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Large skillet or pan
- Knife and cutting board
- Spatula or tongs
That’s it—no fancy tools required.
🛒 Ingredients
(Exactly 3 main ingredients)
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 cup orange marmalade
- ¼ cup soy sauce
Ingredient Notes:
- Chicken breast keeps the recipe lean and quick-cooking.
- Orange marmalade provides sweetness, citrus flavor, and thickness.
- Soy sauce balances everything with savory depth.
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken pieces to the dry pan.
- Cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is fully cooked and lightly golden.
Step 2: Add the Sauce
- Reduce heat to medium.
- Add orange marmalade and soy sauce directly to the pan.
- Stir well to coat all the chicken pieces.
Step 3: Simmer
- Let the mixture simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- The sauce will thicken and become glossy as it coats the chicken.
Step 4: Finish
- Once the sauce is sticky and the chicken is well coated, remove from heat.
- Let rest for 2 minutes before serving.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: About 20 minutes
A lightning-fast dinner with zero stress.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
Reheating
- Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave
- Stir to redistribute the sauce
Tip: The sauce thickens more as it cools—this is normal.
🥄 Variations
(Still keeping the base recipe simple)
- Spicy Version
- Add chili flakes when reheating (optional)
- Low-Sodium
- Use low-sodium soy sauce
- Meal Bowl
- Serve over rice or vegetables
- Crispy Option
- Pan-sear chicken longer before adding sauce
❓ 10 FAQs
- Is this really only 3 ingredients?
Yes—chicken, orange marmalade, and soy sauce. - Does it taste like takeout orange chicken?
Yes, sweet and savory with a glossy sauce. - Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes, they work very well. - Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Very much so—sweet and mild. - Can I double the recipe?
Yes, use a larger skillet. - Is this gluten-free?
Use gluten-free soy sauce if needed. - Does the sauce thicken naturally?
Yes, thanks to the marmalade. - Can I freeze it?
Yes, freeze up to 2 months. - Can I bake it instead?
Yes, bake at 200°C (400°F) until cooked, then glaze. - What should I serve it with?
Rice, vegetables, or noodles.
🏁 Conclusion
This 3-ingredient orange chicken is proof that simple cooking can still be incredibly delicious. With tender chicken and a sticky orange glaze, it’s a recipe you can rely on when time is short but flavor still matters.
Once you make it, you’ll wonder how something so easy can taste this good—and it’s guaranteed to become a go-to favorite.
3-Ingredient Orange Chicken – Sweet, Savory & Incredibly Easy
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken pieces to the dry pan.
- Cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is fully cooked and lightly golden.
- Reduce heat to medium.
- Add orange marmalade and soy sauce directly to the pan.
- Stir well to coat all the chicken pieces.
- Let the mixture simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- The sauce will thicken and become glossy as it coats the chicken.
- Once the sauce is sticky and the chicken is well coated, remove from heat.
- Let rest for 2 minutes before serving.
Notes
(Still keeping the base recipe simple) Spicy Version Add chili flakes when reheating (optional) Low-Sodium Use low-sodium soy sauce Meal Bowl Serve over rice or vegetables Crispy Option Pan-sear chicken longer before adding sauce ❓ 10 FAQs Is this really only 3 ingredients?
Yes—chicken, orange marmalade, and soy sauce. Does it taste like takeout orange chicken?
Yes, sweet and savory with a glossy sauce. Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes, they work very well. Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Very much so—sweet and mild. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, use a larger skillet. Is this gluten-free?
Use gluten-free soy sauce if needed. Does the sauce thicken naturally?
Yes, thanks to the marmalade. Can I freeze it?
Yes, freeze up to 2 months. Can I bake it instead?
Yes, bake at 200°C (400°F) until cooked, then glaze. What should I serve it with?
Rice, vegetables, or noodles. 🏁 Conclusion This 3-ingredient orange chicken is proof that simple cooking can still be incredibly delicious. With tender chicken and a sticky orange glaze, it’s a recipe you can rely on when time is short but flavor still matters. Once you make it, you’ll wonder how something so easy can taste this good—and it’s guaranteed to become a go-to favorite.
