Craving that tangy, sweet, and savory orange chicken from your favorite takeout place? Look no further! Our Healthy Orange Chicken recipe brings the restaurant to your kitchen, minus the extra calories. With a burst of fresh orange and a hint of ginger, this dish is sure to satisfy your taste buds while keeping things light and nutritious.
Begin by cleaning and cutting the chicken into 1-inch cubes.
In a large frying pan, heat the toasted sesame oil. Add the chicken cubes and cook until the edges turn a golden brown and have a slight crispiness, approximately 12-15 minutes.
While the chicken is sizzling away, whisk together all the sauce ingredients in a separate bowl.
Once the chicken is fully cooked, transfer it to a separate bowl and set aside.
In the same pan, pour in the sauce mixture. Bring it to a boil and let it bubble away for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken during this time (you'll know it's ready when it pulls away from the pan as you scrape).
Add the cooked chicken back into the pan, ensuring each piece gets a generous coating of the zesty orange sauce.
Serve your orange chicken over steamed broccoli or green beans for a paleo-friendly meal. Alternatively, you can use rice or quinoa. Finish off with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and dive in!
Special Notes and Tips:
- If you're substituting ground ginger for fresh ginger, use only 1/2 teaspoon.
- The chicken broth in the sauce is optional but adds a richer flavor. Ensure it has no added salt.
- For an extra kick, consider adding a pinch of red chili flakes to the sauce.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with a fresh salad or stir-fried veggies for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Directions
Begin by cleaning and cutting the chicken into 1-inch cubes.
In a large frying pan, heat the toasted sesame oil. Add the chicken cubes and cook until the edges turn a golden brown and have a slight crispiness, approximately 12-15 minutes.
While the chicken is sizzling away, whisk together all the sauce ingredients in a separate bowl.
Once the chicken is fully cooked, transfer it to a separate bowl and set aside.
In the same pan, pour in the sauce mixture. Bring it to a boil and let it bubble away for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken during this time (you'll know it's ready when it pulls away from the pan as you scrape).
Add the cooked chicken back into the pan, ensuring each piece gets a generous coating of the zesty orange sauce.
Serve your orange chicken over steamed broccoli or green beans for a paleo-friendly meal. Alternatively, you can use rice or quinoa. Finish off with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and dive in!