3 Ingredient Orange Chicken (Orange Marmalade BBQ)

Enjoy this 3 ingredient orange chicken ready in under 20 minutes! The simple orange marmalade BBQ sauce paired with crispy chicken makes for a quick, flavorful dinner you’ll love.

This 3 ingredient take makes this all-time favorite so much easier to whip up! If you’re watching calories, the baked version still brings all that delicious flavor without the fuss.

Just take 3 simple ingredients plus your favorite frozen popcorn chicken, and you’ve got microwave magic—that’s right, the easiest 3 ingredient orange chicken recipe ever. Heads up: the “3 ingredients” are for the sauce; your chicken can be homemade or frozen nuggets—whatever you like!

One of the best parts about this orange marmalade sauce? You can easily tweak it to your liking. I’ve shared some handy tips below on how to adjust sweetness, heat, or overall flavor with just a swap or two.

If you’re crazy about that sticky, sweet orange chicken flavor but short on time, this shortcut is your new best friend. Using a simple 3-ingredient orange marmalade sauce and pre-cooked or frozen popcorn chicken, you’ll have a tasty dinner on the table in about 15 minutes—and cleanup is a breeze.

When I say “3 ingredients,” I mean the sauce: BBQ sauce, orange marmalade, and soy sauce (with a little sesame oil if you want). You can pair this sauce with whatever cooked chicken you have on hand—frozen nuggets, homemade bites, wings—or even swap in tofu or shrimp to mix it up!

• Quick: less than 20 minutes from start to finish (and around 15 minutes active prep).
• Easy: pantry staples for the sauce and a microwave make this super simple.
• Flexible: great as a main course with rice and veggies, a glaze for wings or shrimp, or even a zesty dip.
• Make-ahead friendly: this sauce keeps well in the fridge or freezer—see the storage section below for tips.

Keep reading for exact ingredient amounts, simple microwave instructions, serving ideas, and easy flavor swaps to make this 3 ingredient orange chicken your own.

Why This Version Works So Well

This 3 ingredient orange chicken hits all the right notes—fast, fuss-free, and bursting with flavor. You’ll have a delicious meal in about 15 minutes using just common pantry staples and frozen or homemade chicken. The sauce is a easy mix of BBQ sauce, orange marmalade, and soy sauce, with optional sesame oil for a little extra depth. Plus, it’s super easy to customize to your tastes whether you want more heat, less sugar, or a different twist.

• Lightning-fast: totals less than 20 minutes from start to finish—the perfect quick dinner solution.
• Minimal ingredients: just 3 staples make the sauce, keeping your grocery list short and sweet.
• Versatile: pairs perfectly with frozen popcorn chicken, wings, shrimp, tofu, or meatballs.
• Family-friendly: sticky, sweet, and totally kid-approved. Bonus points for getting the kids involved.
• Make-ahead and store well: sauce freezes or refrigerates beautifully and leftovers taste great for days.

This recipe makes about 6 servings, delivering big, bold orange flavor with barely any effort or mess.

Simple Ingredients and Measurements

• 5 cups precooked chicken nuggets (frozen works great!)
• ½ cup BBQ sauce
• 1 cup sweet orange marmalade
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil, optional but recommended for extra flavor

Cook, Sauce, and Toss Together

1. Cook frozen or homemade precooked chicken nuggets according to package instructions until hot and crispy.
2. Combine 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, 1 cup orange marmalade, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, and 2 teaspoons sesame oil (optional) in a microwave-safe bowl; cover with a damp paper towel.
3. Microwave the sauce mixture for about 45 seconds to warm and meld the flavors.

4. Pour the warm sauce over the hot crispy chicken and toss until evenly coated.

Serving Suggestions and Tips

If you’ve ever enjoyed orange chicken before, you know the sweet and tangy orange sauce is the star of the show with just a little kick. This version is so simple your kids can even handle it solo—perfect for an easy after-school snack or quick dinner.

Try serving this 3 ingredient orange chicken as your main course alongside classic Chinese sides like fried rice or steamed veggies for a complete meal in less than 30 minutes. It’s a real time-saver on busy evenings!

Other Uses and Substitutions

This sauce isn’t just for chicken! Here are some fun ways to use this easy orange marmalade BBQ sauce:

• Shrimp: Toss popcorn or tempura shrimp with the sauce for a tasty party appetizer that’s sure to impress.
• Chicken Wings: Coat sticky, sweet wings in the sauce. Add your favorite hot sauce to spice things up if you like some heat.
• Dip: Skip the store-bought sweet and sour dip and try this tangy sauce with egg rolls or crab rangoons for a fresh twist.

Be sure to pin this recipe now so you can easily find it when you need a fast, flavorful meal.

Dinner, then Dessert, Inc. owns all rights to these images and text. Please don’t repost or reproduce them anywhere without permission.

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Tips

• Serve: You can safely leave orange chicken out at room temperature for up to 2 hours—perfect for party dips or quick meals.
• Store: Keep leftovers sealed tightly in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat gently to maintain that sauce’s yumminess.
• Freeze: This sauce freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. For easy meal prep, make extra sauce and store it in airtight containers alongside your frozen chicken nuggets for a quick mix-and-make dinner later.

Common Questions About This Recipe

What kind of BBQ sauce works best for orange chicken sauce?

Choose a BBQ sauce you love. If you want a little extra zip, a spicy BBQ sauce is a great way to add a bit of heat.

How do I make a spicy orange chicken sauce?

Just mix in a tablespoon of garlic chili sauce, sriracha, or crushed red pepper flakes to your sauce to kick up the heat.

Can I make vegetarian orange chicken?

Sure! Swap out the chicken for fried or baked tofu. Just press the tofu to remove excess moisture before cooking for best results.

Want a lighter version?

Try making this sauce with turkey or chicken meatballs served over steamed rice and veggies for a healthy, quick meal.

What other Asian flavors can I try in this sauce?

Mix it up with teriyaki sauce, toasted sesame seeds, or hoisin sauce instead of BBQ for a different but delicious spin. Hoisin makes a particularly tasty substitute for BBQ sauce.