Orange Chicken Sandwich

Let’s talk about a sandwich that hits all the right notes—sweet, savory, crispy, tangy, and just the right amount of heat. This Orange Chicken Sandwich is like if your favorite takeout got an upgrade and turned into the sandwich of your dreams. We’re talking crispy air-fried chicken thighs, a homemade orange sauce that’s sticky and packed with citrus flavor, a spicy sambal mayo, and a quick crunchy slaw to tie it all together. It’s bold, fresh, and totally worth the extra napkins.

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your weeknight dinner, impress your weekend guests, or just make a sandwich that goes way beyond the basics, this is the one you have to try.

Why You’ll Love This Orange Chicken Sandwich

• Air fryer magic: The chicken is perfectly crispy without any deep frying.
• That orange sauce: Tangy, sweet, and totally addictive.
• Sambal mayo: Adds a spicy kick that brings everything together.
• Quick slaw: Crunchy, zesty, and balances the richness of the chicken.
• Big flavors: This sandwich is anything but boring.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• Oil spray (I opted for Ghee, but you can use whatever you have on hand)
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tsp cayenne (for some extra heat)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

For the Orange Sauce

• ½ cup orange juice (fresh if you can!)
• zest of one orange
• 2 tbsp honey
• juice 1/2 lemon
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp sriracha
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp ginger powder
• 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (for thickening)

Sambal Mayo

• 1/2 cup mayo
• 3 tbsp sambal chili sauce
• 1 large scallion, finely minced
• Squeeze of lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Quick Slaw

• 1 cup shredded cabbage or slaw mix
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced, diagonally
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1/2 juice of lemon
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/4 tsp salt or to taste

For Assembly

• 4 brioche buns, toasted

Instructions

Step 1: Bread the Chicken

1. In a bowl mix together your panko breadcrumbs and season with paprika, chili powder, ginger powder, cayenne, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2. Spray your chicken with your oil spray.
3. Place into your panko breadcrumbs and lightly press. Flip and coat the other side.
4. Air fry at 390°F for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and cooked through.

Step 2: Make the Orange Sauce

1. In a small saucepan, combine honey, orange zest and juice, lemon juicee, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic.
2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
3. Stir in cornstarch slurry (cornstarch + water) and continue cooking until thickened.
4. Set aside to cool slightly.
5. When your chicken is done, toss in the sauce.

Step 3: Make Sambal Mayo and Quick Slaw

1. Mix together all sambal mayo ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
2. In another bowl, toss cabbage with scallions, vinegar, lemon juice, sesame oil, and a pinch of salt.

Step 4: Assemble the Sandwich

1. Toast your brioche buns.
2. Spread sambal mayo on both sides of the bun.
3. Add a generous spoonful of slaw.
4. Place your crispy chicken thigh on top.
5. Top with the other bun and serve immediately.

Final Thoughts

This Orange Chicken Sandwich is what happens when comfort food and creativity meet. It’s got the crunch, the zing, the sweet, the spicy, and the fresh—all in one bite. It’s one of those meals that feels restaurant-level but is totally doable at home. So grab your air fryer and make this your next go-to sandwich recipe. Give it a try, and let me know how it turns out!