Description
This Healthy Orange Chicken recipe is a delicious and nutritious twist on the classic takeout favorite. Featuring a tangy and slightly spicy orange sauce made from fresh orange juice, zest, ginger, and garlic, it is naturally sweetened and gluten-free. Tender chicken pieces are coated in tapioca flour and pan-fried to a golden crust before simmering in the sticky, flavorful sauce. This quick 30-minute meal is perfect for a wholesome dinner served alongside steamed or fried rice.
Ingredients
For the Orange Sauce:
- 1 cup orange juice
- 2 tsp orange zest
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos or liquid aminos or soy sauce*
- 1 Tbsp rice vinegar or cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced**
- 2 tsp sriracha (optional)
For the Chicken:
- 1 to 1½ lbs boneless chicken thighs or breasts, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 egg
- ½ cup tapioca flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 2 Tbsp avocado oil or coconut oil for cooking
For Serving:
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 bunch green onion, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Add all orange sauce ingredients to a small blender and blend until completely combined. If a blender isn’t available, finely mince the garlic and grate the ginger, then stir all sauce ingredients well in a bowl. Set aside.
- Coat the Chicken: Whisk the egg in a mixing bowl until well-beaten. Add the chopped chicken pieces and stir to thoroughly coat with egg. Sprinkle the tapioca or gluten-free flour over the chicken and mix well to evenly coat all pieces.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat avocado or coconut oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the coated chicken pieces, spreading them into an even layer. Although the pieces may stick initially, continue cooking and stirring every few minutes until a golden-brown crust forms. At this point, the chicken does not need to be fully cooked through.
- Add the Sauce and Simmer: Pour the prepared orange sauce over the browned chicken and stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a full boil, then cover the skillet and reduce heat to medium. Let the chicken cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 to 8 minutes until fully cooked and the sauce thickens to a sticky glaze.
- Serve: Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve hot with steamed or fried rice and enjoy your healthy homemade orange chicken!
Notes
- If using coconut aminos, add ¼ teaspoon of sea salt to the sauce, then adjust salt after cooking. Liquid aminos or soy sauce already contain salt, so wait to season until after cooking.
- If using liquid aminos or soy sauce, add 1 to 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup to the sauce for sweetness, as these alternatives are not naturally sweet like coconut aminos.
- Omit garlic for a Low-FODMAP version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
