Skip takeout & try this Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe! Paleo, gluten free + delicious – it’s one of the best healthy chicken recipes! Made with just a few ingredients, it’s tasty and easy to make!
This Healthier Homemade Orange Chicken is so EASY!
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If you’re looking for healthy chicken dinner ideas- look no further. This Healthy Orange Chicken is one of our all time favorite meals (with this Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken coming in at a close second!).
Made with minimal ingredients, full of flavor, and easy to make – this dish is one I always turn to when I need something easy and healthy.
It’s seriously one of the best healthy chicken recipes.
What is orange chicken?
Orange Chicken is a Chinese American dish that typically is made with battered chicken pieces tossed in a sweet and sour orange sauce. This dish is sautéed instead of battered to make it a healthier dinner recipe.
Why we love this Easy Orange Chicken Recipe
There’s a-lot to love about this healthy orange chicken 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 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!)
It’s so simple and delicious, here’s what you’ll need to make it:
Homemade Orange Chicken ingredients
To make healthy orange chicken you’ll need:
- chicken breasts
- broccoli
- toasted sesame oil
- orange juice/zest
- chicken broth
- coconut aminos
- honey
- garlic powder, pepper
- fresh or ground ginger
You can find substitutions for all of these ingredients below in the green shaded substitutions box.
We love to get our chicken from ButcherBox. Learn more about why we love it in this Butcher Box Reviews Post.
Easy Orange Chicken Recipe substitutions:
Toasted Sesame Oil– This is pretty essential for flavor but can be subbed for avocado or olive oil.
Chicken- You can substitute chicken breasts with chopped chicken tenders or boneless skinless chicken thighs
Veggies- Serve this healthy orange chicken with any vegetables you like. Our favorites are 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
Chicken Broth–Chicken broth is optional in this recipe. Chicken broth can be used interchangeably with vegetable broth, beef broth or bone broth.
Coconut Aminos – You can sub coconut aminos with soy sauce or bragg’s liquid aminos – but the recipe will no longer be paleo. 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 cooked tofu, or try our Vegan Orange Chicken
Ginger– You can substitute fresh ginger with 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
How to make Orange Chicken
Making orange chicken requires a little bit more steps than many of our recipes, but it’s SO worth it!
- Heat oil in pan and cook until browned. While chicken is cooking, whisk together sauce ingredients
- When chicken is cooked, remove from pan and set aside in a bowl.
How to make Orange Chicken sauce
- 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.
Orange Chicken Recipe variations
There are instant pot instructions below for this recipe. We also have an Instant Pot Orange Chicken recipe.
How to serve this recipe for Orange Chicken
You can serve this healthy orange chicken in so many different ways!
Over grains: Our favorite way to serve this recipe is with white or brown rice. Quinoa or cooked farro is also a good option. You could also serve with Instant Pot Fried Rice.
Paleo/Low Carb: If you’re paleo or looking to eat lower carb, skip the rice entirely or do cauliflower rice.
Veggies: Broccoli, green beans, or steamed cauliflower are great for veggie side dishes.
Salad: You can also serve this alongside a salad
Healthier Orange Chicken storage
Storing: I keep this healthy orange chicken in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
Reheating: You can reheat this healthy orange chicken in a pan or in the microwave.
Freezing: We have not tried freezing this healthy orange chicken but I think it would work!
Healthy Orange Chicken FAQs
Give it time, I promise. Re-read the directions. The chicken needs to be completely removed from the pan, and the sauce needs to boil for 15-20 minutes. Stir the sauce every few minutes, and once the sauce starts to pull away from the pan as you scrape it back, you’ll know it’s ready!
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!
Sweet and sour sauce typically is made with vinegar, while orange chicken sauce is made with orange juice.
Love chicken? If so – here are some of our other favorite healthy chicken recipes! This Chicken Vegetable Soup is my favorite!
Healthy Recipe for Orange Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 cups steamed broccoli or green beans
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
Sauce
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1/4 cup chicken broth optional – no salt added
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger*** grated
- 1/2 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Clean + cut chicken into 1 inch cubes.
- In a large frying pan, heat sesame oil. Cook the chicken until the edges are brown and slightly crispy (Approx 12-15 minutes)
- As the chicken is cooking, stir together the sauce mixture in a separate bowl
- Once the chicken is thoroughly cooked remove it from the pan and place it off to the side in a separate 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 it has thickened when you scrape the pan and it pulls away from the pan) The sauce should be bubbling the entire time.
- When the sauce thickens, add the cooked chicken back in + stir to coat the chicken
- Serve over steamed broccoli or green beans for a paleo option, or rice/quinoa.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds + enjoy!
- *** If substituting ground ginger for fresh ginger, cut the amount to 1/2 teaspoon
Instant Pot Instructions
- IMPORTANT: If making this recipe in the instant pot you will need 3 teaspoons of cornstarch or arrowroot powder. 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
- 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
- To get your sauté on highest setting, Press sauté then hit the adjust button and choose “more” to set it to the highest setting.
- It’s very important that they are dried off before you put them in the hot oil so they will brown.
- It’s very important to 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
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.
Nikki says
On the nutrition facts it states that the serving size is 1.5 cups of chicken + veggies (approx) – what does this mean? Is it 1.5 cups of each? Or combined..?
The Clean Eating Couple says
1.5 cup total a mix of chicken and vegetables. If you are strictly counting macros I recommend putting this in your app!
connie says
If made with chicken you “velveted” using Chen’s instructions which is easy to do, it tastes even better!!
Lori says
I’m confused how this is a whole30 recipe with all that sugar ? I wouldn’t feel right suggesting it.
The Clean Eating Couple says
No where in this post does it say that it’s a Whole30 recipe! It’s not. It has honey – which is not Whole30 friendly.
Dede says
Just discovered your website, this is the first recipe I tried and I loved it! Made it exactly according to the recipe, and I thought the flavor was fantastic. The sauce was still a little thin after boiling for 20 minutes, but not a big deal when I combined it with the chicken and served over rice, just had a bit of a curry consistency which was fine by me. Will definitely make again!
Rachel says
I absolutely LOVED this recipe!!! Orange chicken is a favorite and now I can eat it again!! Thank you!
Jennifer Lowery says
Recipe looks very good, like the fact that you use Bragg’s liquid aminos instead of regular soy sauce, there’s also a coconuts secret aminos too, which I haven’t got around to buying yet apparently my nutritionist says it’s better then Bragg’s. I like the cleanliness of this recipe and the idea that the chicken can be subbed with a lean ground turkey or chicken as well.
Jenna says
Is there a crockpot version? I would love to make this in the crockpot!
The Clean Eating Couple says
No- the sauce won’t thicken in the crockpot
Diane M Parabicoli says
Many thanks, making tonight, heading to buy amino liquid. Rest…
Lara says
My picky eaters loved this! Healthy and delicious is a win win in my house.
Kirsti says
I have made this many times so good and super easy
Margaret Byl says
So tasty – definitely a keeper!
Linda Floyd says
This is the best tasting, healthy orange chicken I’ve ever eaten.
Cathleen says
Full of tangy, orangey flavour! Will depend a lot on if you can cook the chicken just right, unfortunately I’m not great at making chicken breasts anything but rubbery, but I don’t blame the recipe for that! Like other commenters, I cooked that sauce for ages and it would NOT thicken, so after 40 minutes I used a cornstarch slurry and next time I’ll do that right from the start to save so much time and bother. Thanks for a great recipe.
Georgette Lamb says
Very good! Made it in the Instant Pot and it turned out perfectly. Thank you for the great recipe.
Char says
Hi there, do I need an instant pot for this recipe? Thanks!
The Clean Eating Couple says
There are instructions for how to make this on the stove in the recipe – please feel free to read them 🙂 no need for an instant pot
Stefany says
I followed this exactly and it came out great! I used powdered ginger instead of fresh and bottled fresh squeezed OJ. Thank you so much!
Georgia Torkelson says
I found this recipe over a year ago and I have made it many times since, I practically have it memorized! My husband always requests it because we love Chinese food, but don’t always want the fried kind. This healthy option is perfect and I have even made it for multiple friends who loved it and wanted the recipe! This recipe has served me so well that I bought the clean eating guide to see what other clean recipes can become a staple in my kitchen. Thank you!
Jen says
This was so easy to follow and Booming with flavor! Love all the Cleaneating couple’s recipes! Plus Liz is so fun and kind!
KF says
Delicious and super easy to make!
Michelle H says
A friend shared this recipe with me. Made it last night and wow! It was super yummy.
Pat says
Really tasty! I used a deep, rich honey from a friend. Went a little heavy on zest. Enjoy strong orange character.Added 1.5 tsp Sriracha because I like a touch of heat. So flavorful, thank you!
Jess says
This was amazing! Followed recipe exact except used ginger powder and low sodium soy sauce. This is now on my list to make regularly!
Michelle Lucas says
Our family loves this recipe. Having a big family it’s always great when everyone enjoys it. This one is sure to always please even the toughest and pickiest eaters.
Linda says
One of my family favorite dinners. I make this at least once a month.
Devin says
This orange chicken is absolutely insane! I am literally telling all of my friends and family who eat clean(and those who need to start 😉 about this! It’s like orange chicken from the restaurants except better flavor and not fried. Wow!