Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe
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Skip takeout and try this Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe instead! Gluten free and high protein – it’s a delicious healthy chicken recipe! Made with just a few ingredients, it’s tasty and easy to make!
This post was originally shared in 2015 but has since been updated.
If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to orange chicken look no further! This Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe is one of our all time favorite meals and one of the most popular recipes on our site with close to 500 5 star reviews!
Made with only a few ingredients, it’s full of flavor, and easy to make. This dish is one I always turn to when I need something easy and healthy.
Why You Should Make This Recipe
- Baked, not fried: Typically orange chicken is battered and fried, then tossed in sauce. This healthy orange chicken recipe is sautéed lightly in oil and then tossed in the sauce making it lower in fat and carbs.
- Lower in sugar: Orange chicken often comes tossed in a very sweet, thick sauce. This healthy sauce recipe tastes just as good with way less sugar and calories!
- Minimal Ingredients: This orange chicken recipe was made to be gluten free, dairy free, grain free, refined sugar free and paleo friendly so that anyone can enjoy it regardless of their diet.
This healthy chicken meal holds a close second to my Healthy Chicken Pad Thai for best ‘takeout fakeout’ recipe… (Chicken Fried Rice is up there too, and so is this Ground Turkey Stir Fry!)
Ingredients
Substitutions:
Toasted Sesame Oil: Toasted sesame oil is pretty essential for flavor. If you don’t have it, you can omit it from the sauce, but it will impact the flavor
Chicken: You can substitute chicken breasts with chicken tenders or boneless skinless chicken thighs.
Veggies: Serve this healthy orange chicken with any vegetables you like. Our favorite veggies to serve it with are steamed green beans or broccoli. You could also serve it with our cauliflower fried rice.
Orange Juice: You can sub regular bottled orange juice with freshly squeezed orange juice but we don’t recommend it. We don’t recommend low calorie or low sugar orange juice in this recipe. It can make the sauce taste bitter. Do not try to cut back on the orange juice used!. The orange juice helps the sauce thicken and is necessary!
Coconut Aminos: Coconut aminos are a gluten free soy sauce alternative. You can sub coconut aminos with soy sauce or bragg’s liquid aminos. If using Bragg’s Liquid Aminos, use HALF the amount – bragg’s is much saltier!
Honey: You can sub honey with maple syrup. We have never tried making this with sweetener substitutes so we’re not sure how it would work. Coconut sugar will not work in place of honey. You need a liquid sweetener.
Vegan/Vegetarian: You can sub chicken with tofu, or try our Vegan Orange Chicken!
Ginger: You can substitute fresh ginger with 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger.
How to make Orange Chicken
- Heat oil in pan and cook chicken until browned then set aside.
- While chicken is cooking, whisk together sauce ingredients.
- Add sauce ingredients to the pot and bring to a boil.
- The sauce should be bubbling and actively boiling for 15 minutes or so until it thickens. Make sure to constantly stir so that it doesn’t burn.
- You’ll know the sauce is thickened when it coats the back of a spoon.
- Once the sauce is thickened, add the chicken back to the pan and toss until coated.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve this healthy orange chicken in so many different ways!
Over rice: Our favorite way to serve this recipe is with cooked white or brown rice. Quinoa or cooked farro is also a good option!
Low Carb/Grain Free: If you’re looking to eat lower carb, skip the rice. You can serve it over cauliflower fried rice, plain steamed cauliflower rice, or just with plained veggies.
Veggies: Broccoli, green beans, or steamed cauliflower are great for veggie side dishes.
Salad: You can also serve this alongside a salad. I love this Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad!
Storage
Storing: Healthy Orange Chicken will stay in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
Reheating: You can reheat this healthy orange chicken in a pan on the stove or in the microwave. If reheating in the pan I recommend adding a little bit of water to loosen up the sauce.
Freezing: We have not tried freezing this healthy orange chicken but I think it would work!
Tips for Making this Recipe in the Instant Pot:
- Make sure you pat the chicken breasts dry before you put it in the hot oil so they will brown.
- Brown the chicken breasts whole prior to dicing them. This ensures that maximum surface area makes contact with the pan and the chicken actually browns. Browning the chicken is an important step. This seals the juices in and ensures the chicken doesn’t release too much liquid while being pressure cooked. This additional liquid effects the consistency of the sauce.
- The sauce will seem thin until you add the corn starch slurry and reduce it down. This is normal!
What to do if your sauce doesn’t thicken:
If your sauce isn’t thickening first, make sure that the sauce is boiling. It should be bubbling the entire time it is cooking. Then, give it time! It will take at minimum 15 minutes of boiling for the liquid to evaporate and for the sauce to thicken.
It can take up to 20 minutes for the sauce to thicken. Be patient! Stir the sauce every few minutes to prevent it from burning. When the sauce starts to pull away from the pan as you scrape it back, you’ll know it’s ready!
Healthy Orange Chicken FAQs
Yes! This is totally fine! Your sauce might look a little dark then these photos simply due to the ingredients you use. The color won’t impact the flavor!
You can use honey in place of sugar for orange chicken! Maple syrup would also work well.
Love chicken? If so – here are some of our other favorite healthy chicken recipes! This Chicken Vegetable Soup is my favorite!
Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut in 1 inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 tablespoon orange zest
For serving:
- 4 cups steamed broccoli or green beans
- 2 cups cooked rice
Instructions
- Cook green beans and rice according to package directions.
- In a large sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add chicken to the pan and cook for 10 minutes until the edges are brown and slightly crispy.
- While the chicken cooks, stir together all ingredients for the sauce in a bowl.
- Once the chicken is thoroughly cooked remove it from the pan and set aside in a clean bowl.
- Pour the sauce mixture into the same pan you cooked the chicken in.
- Bring the sauce mixture to a boil for 15-20 minutes, stirring every minute or so until it starts to thicken. You will know the sauce has thickened when you scrape the pan with a spatula and the sauce pulls away from the pan. The sauce should be bubbling the entire time.
- Once the sauce has thickened, add the cooked chicken back to the pot. Stir to coat the chicken in the sauce.
- Serve over steamed vegetables and rice.
Instant Pot Instructions
- IMPORTANT: If making this recipe in the instant pot you will need 3 teaspoons of cornstarch or arrowroot powder and 1/4 cup chicken stock. You also must use 1/2 the amount of ingredients in the sauce recipe, except for chicken stock. Ex: Orange Juice: 2 cups = 1 cup
- Cook green beans and rice according to package directions.
- Mix together 1/2 the amount called for in the recipe for the orange juice, coconut aminos, honey, garlic powder, ginger, orange zest and pepper. Set aside.
- Turn the Instant Pot to sauté on the highest heat setting. Drizzle in 2 tablespoons of sesame oil and allow it to heat up. The Instant Pot will display the word “hot” when it’s ready.
- Trim the chicken breasts and dry them off with paper towels. When the Instant Pot is hot place the chicken breasts in the oil. You’ll need to do 2 at a time so you do not crowd the pot. Sear them on each side for 2 minutes then flip just to get a golden color. You’re not trying to cook them through.
- Pull them out and set them on a cutting board. Dice them into 1 inch pieces.
- Put the diced chicken back into the Instant Pot and pour the sauce mixture over. Close the lid and put the vent to sealing. Set it to Manual High Pressure for 3 minutes. Note that pot will take 3-5 minutes to come to pressure before the display starts counting down the 3 minutes you’ve set.
- When it’s finished quick release the steam by setting the valve to venting. Be sure to use a towel or pot holder to do this so you don’t get burned.
- When the Instant Pot releases all the steam the button will lower down and you’ll be able to safely open the lid.
- Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and place on a plate. Mix together the chicken broth and corn starch.
- Turn the Instant Pot back to sauté choosing the highest heat setting again. Your sauce should begin to bubble. Stream in the corn starch slurry and whisk. Allow the mixture to boil for 7-9 minutes until it’s nice and thick.
- Return the chicken to the sauce and select the “Keep Warm” setting on the Instant Pot. Serve over steamed broccoli or green beans for a paleo option, or rice/quinoa.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Important Note: This is not an authentic orange chicken recipe. My goal is always to share recipes that are a bit healthier and made with affordable, accessible ingredients so everyone can enjoy them regardless of their food allergies or dietary restrictions. Here’s a link to an authentic Orange Chicken Recipe.
I tried this recipe twice with sugar free honey and low sodium chicken broth and it did not thicken? Is it because I used these ingredients? I boiled it for quite a while and it did not get any thicker.
Hi Emma – I’ve never heard of sugar free honey, but I would guess that is why it didn’t thicken. The natural sugars in honey + orange juice are what allow the sauce to thicken!
This is totally one of my favorite recipes from now on! Thank you so much for sharing it, I love this kind of food.
Thank you so much, Lucy! I’m so glad you like it!
haven’t tried it yet because was concerned about the high sugar content. 27 grams is a lot! Is there a way to cut that down?
Hi Pam – the sugar comes from 100% pure orange juice and honey. Unfortunately you can’t leave either of those out because as those natural sugars cook, that is what makes the sauce thicken. Despite being higher in natural sugars, it’s still infinitely more healthy than takeout!
Just made this and it was so good! Thanks for sharing 🙂 Did just want to let you know that the recipe says 1 tbsp fresh or ground ginger. It was only after I put in 1 tbsp of GROUND ginger that I read the comment where you mentioned using 1/4th. Luckily, I love love love ginger, but it’d be very helpful if that was in the recipe just in case some people (read: me) don’t read the comments! Otherwise can’t wait to make this again!
Hi Kira – I’m so sorry that happened and thank you for pointing it out. I just updated the recipe card because you’re totally right – that is not as clear as it could be. Either way though – I’m so glad you liked it!! 🙂
Ha I did that also.
One of our household favorites! Easy, delicious, and healthy!
I’m so glad you like it, Katie! It’s one of my favorites too 🙂
I haven’t made this dish but I will soon! Can I replace the coconut aminos with coconut water or would it give the sauce a totally different flavor?
Hi Nancy – No you can’t replace coconut aminos with coconut water. It would make the sauce too sweet + it wouldn’t thicken correctly. Per the notes under substitutions – you can sub it with soy sauce or bragg’s liquid aminos but then the recipe will not be paleo. You can get coconut aminos for pretty cheap at trader joes- they’re totally worth buying!
If using ground ginger vs fresh, would you still use a full tbsp?
If using ground ginger I would cut it down to 1/4, so 1/4 tbsp ground ginger or 1 tbsp fresh ginger. Let me know if you try it!
Thank you for the reply. I did make it and it was awesome!
I’m so glad you liked it!!
We make this recipe multiples times a month!! It is seriously one of our favorites. If I’m in a big hurry and need the sauce to thicken up quicker, I’ll add a teaspoon or so of cornstarch once it’s been bubbling for a while. It’s 100% worth the time waiting for it to thicken on its own though!
Thanks Madison!! The cornstarch trick is perfect because I know a lot of people don’t like to wait 🙂
I was under the impression sesame oil has a low smoke point therefore it is not good for frying. Haven’t tried the recipe yet but worried about a bitter flavor from burnt sesame oil as well as the risk of unhealthy free radicals being released into the food. Does toasted sesame oil have a higher smoke point? Thanks!
You can cook with olive oil if you’re concerned about it. We’ve never experienced a bitter taste. Sesame oil and olive oil have the same smoke point (410). It won’t make much of a difference but just sub in olive, avocado or coconut oil if you’re worried!
I usually do all of the cooking and rarely actually follow a recipe. Sometimes I need my husband to step in and make dinner during the week. But if I don’t want one of the same 3 healthy dishes he knows how to make, he needs a simple and easy to follow recipe. It’s hard to find one though that’s not only easy, but tastes good and is healthy.
Well, I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when he was the one who found this recipe. And it was so good! It was perfect to satisfy my chinese craving but was so fresh tasting and not disgustingly sweet (and no ketchup!). If my husband successfully follow this recipe, almost anyone can! The only alterations made were that he used fresh garlic and fresh oranges for the juice.
I’m happy to say that my husband now has 4 healthy meals he can make, and I will definitely be requesting this from him again!
I’m so glad you liked it, Alyssa!! If you are looking for another yummy takeout-fakeout recipe, try this Healthy Chicken Pad Thai – I bet your husband can master this one too!!
I made this last night for dinner, with brown rice and steamed broccoli. It was amazing! I added a healthy tablespoon of sambal and about a teaspoon of rice vinegar, I like playing around with recipes, usually don’t follow them to a T, unless it’s baking. Anyway, everyone loved it, even the picky one. Thank you for sharing! Definitely will be keeping in the recipe rotation.
Yay!! I’m so glad you liked it, Andrea! I’m going to try your twist on it – that sounds yummy 🙂
My sauce did not thicken 🙁 I followed the recipe to a T. I did use 50 calorie orange juice and reduced sodium chicken broth and the Bragg’s liquid aminos. I ended up having to add cornstarch and it still didn’t thicken that much, so I’m wondering if it had something to do with those ingredients? However the sauce did taste really good! 🙂 I noticed you told someone rolling boil for 20 minutes and you said simmer to another person. We did the rolling boil for 20. But we’ll give it another try with other ingredients next time!
Hi Misty – This likely didn’t work because of the orange juice. You need to use regular orange juice because of the sugar content. The naturally occurring sugar in orange juice is a large part of what makes the sauce thicken because as the sugars break down they become syrup-y. It might also have to do with the Bragg’s liquid aminos.. I don’t really cook with that, so it might have affected the results as well. I have only tested this recipe with coconut aminos or soy sauce. I’d try it again!
Thank you for the recipe and including the Nutrition Facts. Could you possibly check the Amount Per Serving? Was it intended to be one gram? Maybe 100g?? Thank you for your time and help. It’s very appreciated!
Hi! This recipe serves 4, the nutrition facts are for 1 serving. I recommend making the dish and evenly portioning it out into 4 servings. Hope that helps.
Thanks!
Has anyone tried cooking this in the instant pot?
I’m sorry but I haven’t tried this in my instant pot + I haven’t heard from anyone else that has either!
The orange chicken was so good! It’s going into our monthly rotation. Thanks for sharing!
I’m so glad you liked it, Dawn!! It’s one of my favorites too!
It’s good but too much pepper. I figured is follow the directions first but that’s the change I’d make.
Hi Justin – We think the pepper gives it the right amount of kick, are you sure you put in the correct amount? Either way, we appreciate the feedback 🙂
I made this and it was yummy but my sauce is brown instead of orange – did I do something wrong? The sauce did thicken though after 20 minutes! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Lisa -I wouldn’t worry if the sauce is more brown than orange. It could just have to do with the brand of ingredients you used. Some orange juices are lighter and some coconut aminos are browner. 🙂
This was good! Taste wise🤤
However, my sauace didn’t thicken either :-/
Yes I did let it simmer for 20 minutes actually it was more like 25 for me. I ended up adding corn starch; which I mixed with some water in a cup 2 tbs than added to my sauce it thicken within minutes! I would recommend doing this, it cuts down on cutting time (15-20 min simmer) unless you have 15-20 min to spare (if lucky ) than go head 😉
Wow! I’ve tried many healthier/paleo orange chicken recipes and they would never get even close to the main chain restaurants. After watching Liz’s Insta story about it a while back and how much she raved about how similar it was to restaurants, I had to try it. Let me tell you, she wasn’t lying! It is sooooo tasty and I love how the sauce thickens and coats the chicken. I gave it to my husband to try and he was so shocked to hear that it was all healthier ingredients. This is as close as you can get to the real thing and in my opinion better, because you feel great about what you are putting into your body! 🙂
I’m so glad you like this recipe, Natalia!! It is one of my favorite dinners to make! And I totally agree- I love that you can feel better about eating this vs takeout!!
My husband and I really enjoyed this recipe. It has already been added to our dinner rotation! 10/10 would recommend!!
So glad you liked it, Amber!!
Just want to clarify. If using the instant pot am I omitting the
chicken broth all together?
Yes, omit it
Super good. Made enough for 5 meals. My first time cooking raw chicken lol. Next time I will cut it after the initial cooking while the sauce boils. Sauce didn’t thicken quite as much as I’d hoped, but still tasted great. Do I just keep the sauce on med-high the whole time? Maybe add flour if it doesn’t thicken?
Thanks for sharing this!
Hi Brian – Per the direction, the chicken needs to be cubed prior to cooking it. You need to keep the sauce on medium to high heat and boil it. It will thicken after 15-20 minutes. I wouldn’t add flour, just be patient 🙂
Just tried this tonight and it was great, but way too spicy for my toddler and I was nervous to eat it because I am nursing. I think maybe less pepper and omitting the red pepper flakes in the future will make it less spicy – Thoughts?
Hi! There’s actually a note in the recipe card right next to pepper flakes saying to omit if you like things less spicy. Next time I would omit that and if you’re serving to kids I probably would omit sriracha. Black pepper doesn’t typically make things spicy but if you want to omit that too you can and always add after.
I don’t see any mention for red pepper flakes or siracha.
Red pepper flakes and sriracha used to be in this recipe, but people didn’t like the spice so we removed them. Feel free to add some to your taste!
I love spicy! How much red oepper flakes and siracha?
Hi Corbin – You can add it to your taste after cooking. We like a drizzle of sriracha at the end.
What kind of orange juice was used?
Just regular orange juice purchased from the store. I always look for one that is 100% real orange juice.
My sauce did not thicken I had to add a thickener. 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.
Mine either what did u use to thicken it!!!
Hi! Did you follow the directions on the time for the sauce? It needs to boil for at least 15-20 minutes before it will thicken. The sauce should be at a rolling boil + bubbling for it to thicken 🙂 You do not need to add thickeners to 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!
Sometimes (and depending on where you live)they are labelled “Soy Sauce Substitute”
This recipe looks amazing! I am going to try it for sure. Was thinking of using thighs though as they are just so juicy,
Great idea Bridget! Bet that would be delicious!
Sounds yummy. Our chicken breasts were a bit dry. But next time we will lessen the cook time. It was sooooo tasty though.
Thanks Ramona! Every stove is a little different so you probably just need to reduce the cook time.
I can’t wait to try making this 🙂 Just read your soup post, too. Thank you for sharing!!
It’s so yummy!! I’m sure your fam will love it 🙂
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 🙂
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!
Thank you!! I so appreciate that 🙂
The only thing that I would suggest is draining your chicken before tossing in the sauce.
I Cooke my sauce down to a thick consistency and it was delicious. Very “orangy” says my 10 year old but she ate every bite!
Glad you liked it, Deanna! When you remove the chicken from the pan, you’re leaving the oil in the pan for the sauce to help cook. We use a slotted spoon to remove the chicken!