Healthy Orange Chicken

Healthy Orange Chicken is loaded with classic flavors of sweet and sticky orange sauce, easy to make and ready in 30 minutes! It’s the answer to all your Chinese takeout cravings!

For more Asian inspired recipes try my healthy chicken stir fry and chicken and broccoli stir fry.

If orange chicken is one of your go-to takeout recipes, then you’re going to love this healthy orange chicken!

It’s perfect to make at home when you’re craving Chinese food but would rather save money and eat healthy!

Ingredients for Healthy Orange Chicken

For the Chicken:

• Chicken: I use boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces. You can also use chicken thighs.
• Oil: For frying up the chicken pieces. Avocado oil or olive oil is great.
• Garnishes: Green onion and sesame seeds.

For the Orange Sauce:

• Orange zest: It adds a lot of orange flavor. Zest an orange before juicing it, if you are planning on doing the latter.
• Fresh orange juice: You can use from a carton or get a few extra navel oranges and squeeze them yourself.
• Chicken broth: I like to use chicken base mixed with water or homemade chicken broth. Just make sure it’s low sodium.
• Soy sauce: Regular soy sauce, Bragg’s liquid aminos or coconut aminos for gluten-free version work.
• Honey or maple syrup: To sweeten the orange chicken sauce.
• Toasted sesame oil: Make sure to use toasted sesame oil and not just regular sesame oil. It adds flavor to the sauce. It’s OK to skip as well.
• Cornstarch: This is what takes the orange chicken sauce from a thin runny sauce to a thick, velvety glaze.
• Garlic powder: I like to use powder for the convenience. You can also use 2 grated garlic cloves.
• Ground ginger: Use dried ginger or 2 teaspoons of grated fresh ginger is great too.
• Red pepper flakes: To add some heat!
• Ground black pepper.

How to Make Healthy Orange Chicken

To brown the chicken, you’re going to want to use a cast iron skillet if you have one. If not, any large skillet will do.

• Combine ingredients for the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the orange zest, orange juice, chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, garlic powder, ground ginger, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and cornstarch. Set it aside.
• Cook the chicken: Preheat skillet on high heat and add oil to coat. Add pieces of chicken and cook uncovered for 7 minutes. Stir a few times to make sure all sides are evenly browned.
• Add sauce to chicken: Give your sauce a good whisk, pour over the chicken and reduce heat to medium-high. Cook for 5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.

Variations

• Other protein: Use white fish, pork cubes or shrimp instead of chicken.
• Vegetarian: Make with firm tofu cubes instead.
• Add vegetables: Add sauteed vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, broccoli or asparagus. Saute them before chicken and add at the end.

Serving Ideas

• The classic way is to serve healthy orange chicken on top of steamed white rice, which you can absolutely do. It’s great!
• Whole grain: Try it with Instant Pot brown rice or cooked quinoa.
• A delicious low carb alternative would be cauliflower rice or cauliflower fried rice.
• Side veggies: Air fryer broccoli or air fryer cauliflower would all make a great side dish.

How to Store and Reheat

To store: Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

To freeze: Transfer to the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, thaw in the fridge overnight.

Reheat: Simmer on the stove on low heat until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of water or broth to thin it out as it cooks.

Make ahead: Store the uncooked chicken and combined sauce in separate containers for up to 24 hours in advance. Cook as directed when you’re ready.

FAQs

More Asian Inspired Recipes to Try

• Chicken asparagus stir fry
• Teriyaki chicken and cauliflower
• Chicken cabbage stir fry
• Basil cashew chicken
• Peanut chicken soba noodles