Skip the takeout and make this Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe for dinner! A simple, delicious dinner that is paleo, gluten free, packed with flavor and done in under an hour! This post was originally shared in Jan of 2017, but has since been updated.
I really don’t play favorites with my recipes.. or at least I try not to.. but whenever someone asks me what my favorite recipe from my site it, I always say it’s this Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe (with these Clean Eating Chicken Tenders coming in at a close second!). This recipe is one that I always turn to when I’m feeling uninspired + need to get dinner on the table, or if just want something plain delicious.
Orange Chicken is one of my favorite things to order when we get takeout. But as I’m sure most of you know.. Chinese food is definitely not the healthiest dinner option (Hello MSG overload!) Years ago when I first started eating healthy I kind of became obsessed with trying to make all my favorite foods healthy…
Anywhere I could swap refined sugar for a better substitute or remove it completely – I did. Swap bleached white flour with a grain free or whole grain alternative? I was all over it. You name a healthier substitute.. I guarantee I’ve tried it!
I’ll admit, there were (and still are) many concoctions that I try that come out a total mess. Muffins that are flatter than pancakes… Breads that never rise.. Marinades that are just not that great. Side dishes that are over cooked + under seasoned… I’ve been there. But THIS recipe is one where all the healthy substitutions made turn into the greatest dinner of all time basically.
This was one of those recipes that as I was making it I was a little skeptical.. Would the flavor be right? Would the sauce be thick enough or would I just be eating chicken coated in a weird orange juice mixture?? So many questions. Buuuut thankfully that didn’t happen!
The flavor was so on point. A little bit sweet, just the right amount of spice. It was perfectly thick and had the same consistency of the amazing sauce you get at a restaurant!
On top of being super delicious + beyond easy to make, this recipe is so versatile. Feeding a crowd of hungry people? Serve it over a giant bowl of brown rice/quinoa + broccoli. Trying to keep paleo? Skip the rice entirely or do cauliflower rice. Not a huge fan of cauliflower rice? Serve it over zoodles!
Things we used for this recipe: Microplane Zester, toasted sesame oil, sesame seeds, chicken stock, Coconut Aminos, sriracha, honey, ginger, garlic powder, pepper, red pepper flakes
The next time you’re tempted to get takeout… skip the delivery service and just make it yourself! I hope you love this amazing twist on takeout as much as we do. We make it at least once a month because it’s so simple + delicious! Here’s the recipe:
Healthy Orange Chicken
Skip the takeout and make this Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe for dinner! A simple, delicious dinner that is paleo, gluten free, packed with flavor and done in under an hour!
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cleaned + cut into 1 inch cubes
- 4 cups steamed broccoli
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
Sauce
- 2.5 cups orange juice
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos
- 2 tsp sriracha
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1 tbsp fresh or ground ginger
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional if you prefer less spicy)
Instructions
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In a large frying pan, cook the cubed chicken in the toasted sesame oil until the edges are brown and slightly crispy (Approx 5-10 minutes)
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As the chicken is cooking, stir together the sauce mixture in a separate bowl
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Once the chicken is thoroughly cooked remove it from the pan and place it off to the side in a separate bowl.
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Pour the sauce mixture into the same pan you cooked the chicken in.
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Bring the sauce mixture to a boil for 15-20 minutes, stirring every minute or so until it starts to thicken. (You will know it has thickened when you scrape the pan and it pulls away from the pan)
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When the sauce thickens, add the cooked chicken back in + stir to coat the chicken
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Serve over steamed broccoli or zucchini noodles for a paleo option, or rice/quinoa.
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Sprinkle with sesame seeds + enjoy!
You can get the nutrition facts for this recipe here.
Need other healthy dinner recipes? Try these!
Whole 30 Turkey Bolognese Stuffed Zucchini
The sauce sounds amazing. I will definitely give it a try this week.
It is ! Let me know how you like it 🙂
Love this! I’ve been craving Chinese food lately (the unhealthy kind) and this may do the trick.
It totally will Wendy! It kicked my cravings 🙂 We also have a Pad Thai Recipe that is out of this world! https://thecleaneatingcouple.com/2014/02/15/healthy-chicken-pad-thai/
Orange chicken is one of my favorites too!Love the sound of this healthy version! The pictures are gorgeous 🙂
rachel @atheltic avocado recently posted…Flourless Gluten-Free Banana Cake With Peanut Butter Frosting (Paleo + Vegan Options)
Thank you!! I so appreciate that 🙂
The chicken looks delicious! Although it doesn’t look like there is much sauce, would eating this with brown rice make it a little dry? Can’t wait to try it!
Hi Sammy – If you want more sauce to put on rice you can just double the sauce ingredients!
So I can’t say that I won’t ever get take out again, but this looks like an AMAZING alternative when you want to cook something quick.
I mean… Takeout is kinda amazing when you need something quick! Who could totally pass it up!? But this is waaaaay tastier 🙂
I can’t wait to try making this 🙂 Just read your soup post, too. Thank you for sharing!!
Eva Geier recently posted…PostPartum Weight Loss
It’s so yummy!! I’m sure your fam will love it 🙂
Hi… the recipe sounds delicious, but unfortunately we don’t get coconut aminos her! Can we substitute it with something else. Thanks
Hi Nida,
Coconut aminos are pretty much everywhere! I would check in your grocery store near the soy sauce – you may have never noticed them before. I’d recommend a low sodium soy sauce in it’s place if you can’t find it!
My sauce did not thicken I had to add a thickener. Also this was far too spicy for my kids. Will have to make some adjustments and try again!
Hi There – I’m really sorry to hear this! Did you follow the directions on the time for the sauce? It needs to simmer for at least 15-20 minutes before it will thicken. It does have hot pepper flakes and sriracha in it so maybe try leaving that out next time!