Forget takeout! This Chinese Orange Chicken recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes and has a finger-licking good sauce that can be made as spicy as you like it!
This born and bred Florida gal always has orange juice in the fridge. Chances are you’ll find a few fresh oranges in a bowl too. I’m guessing many readers usually have oj on hand as well. If so, you’re on your way to making ever so yummy…
Chinese Orange Chicken
Boneless skinless chicken pieces are browned on the stove-top and coated with a sweet sauce made with good ‘ole orange juice and honey…plus a few more ingredients you probably have on hand. Toss in some broccoli and carrot ribbons and dinner is ready faster than you can make a call for takeout. (And, we’re talking just one pan to clean too!)
The nice thing about preparing a dish, that you might otherwise order out, is that you control the quality and amount of the ingredients, such as the type of chicken.
You can adjust the amount of heat. We like our sauce just a teensy bit spicy. I gave a range for the heat. I’m on the low-end. If you like it hot, and you know who you are, then add the full amount of red pepper flakes. And, if you don’t like hot and spicy, leave the flakes out entirely.
Another important substitution we make at our house is coconut aminos in place of soy sauce. Not only does this ingredient make the dish soy-free, but it also ensures that it is gluten-free too.
As for the sweetness, a full 3 Tablespoons of honey is what you’d expect at a restaurant. But, I can easily be satisfied with a smaller amount (like about 2 Tablespoons) if I’m trying to shave off a few calories.
Using the full amount of honey, the sauce comes in at about 80, finger-licking good calories per person…plenty of sauce to coat ribbons of carrots and broccoli and just about any other veges you’d like to toss in. So, hold the phone and make Chinese Orange Chicken instead. 🙂
Chinese Orange Chicken
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup orange juice
- 3 Tablespoons honey
- 3 Tablespoons soy sauce or coconut aminos for soy-free, gluten-free version
- 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes or to taste, leave out for no heat
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces
- Salt and pepper
- 1 Tablespoon corn starch
- 1 Tablespoon water
- Stalks from one bunch of broccoli peeled into ribbons*
- 3 carrots peeled into ribbons
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions for garnish
- 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Combine first 5 ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Add chicken pieces to pan and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until no longer pink.
- Mix corn starch and water together in a small bowl.
- Add sauce and corn starch slurry to pan with chicken and toss to coat chicken.
- Add broccoli and carrot ribbons to pan and stir to coat with sauce.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
Nutrition
Enjoy!
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Amy @Very Culinary
Yep. always have OJ in the fridge! Finger-licking good is right – looks awesome!
christine
I’m not familiar w/ coconut aminos but I’m definitely going to look into it. I love Asian dishes at home. I used to be terrified of them but now that I’ve done it a few times I’m much more comfortable. This looks great and much lighter than a restaurant
Martha @ A Family Feast
Love this dish – and especially that the chicken isn’t breaded and fried like at so many Chinese restaurants! Thanks for sharing a great dinner idea!
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I always enjoy making takeout recipes at home. I feel so much better knowing exactly what I’ve put in the recipe and taking control over the portions. Great job with this one!
foodwanderings
I don’t love Chinese food as whole but I love a few dished including orange chicken. Your version looks healthier than the original version, which is nice. 🙂
Heather // girlichef
Orange Chicken is something that I can get my whole family to eat – and yours looks amazing (plus it makes me remember that it’s been far too long since we’ve had some). I will try your recipe next time I put it on the menu…thanks!
Lauren Kelly Nutrition
I could eat this every day!
Jessica (Savory Experiments)
This looks fabulous! I can’t wait to try it!
Ginny McMeans
Making homemade meals is always a good choice. I love the glaze in your recipe. Sounds delicious!
Lora @cakeduchess
I’m with you on always having orange juice in the fridge;) Comes in handy when I make dishes like this! My recipe is similar, except I have to try next the pretty carrot ribbons. Looks great, Marjory!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets
I love takeout fakeout night!!! This orange chicken looks delicious!
kristy @ the wicked noodle
I love easy dinners that I can make at home that are SO much better than takeout. This recipe looks delicious!
Allie
we love Chinese food so I will definitely need to give this a try
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Love it!c lean and simple! Orange chicken is my favorite!
Paula - bell'alimento
Take out Fake Out is the best!
Amanda @The Kitcheneer
I love orange chicken! I also love making my take on Chinese cuisine at home, so this dish is perfect!
Crystal Barrett
Orange juice and honey? I love it! Sounds simple enough for me! I am craving chinese now!
Liz - Meal Makeover Mom
Great looking recipe. Pinning now. Must, must, must try this 🙂
Karissa | Sweet as a Cookie
My boyfriend would love this! I’m going to put this on my to-make list.
Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella)
My kids will LOVE this. I can’t wait to make it for them!
Angela {Mind Over Batter}
I really love this. I love the chicken isn’t breaded like other recipes I’ve tried. Not that I’m against breaded chicken, but this is such a much healthier alternative to a favorite. LOVE!
Arman @ thebigmansworld
YUM! I love Chinese take out but not the eerie sauces they use. Pinning
kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox
I love Chinese take out but never know what they’re putting in there. this is the perfect make at home dish!
Stephanie @ Back For Seconds
My whole family will love this – thank you!!
Melissa from HungryFoodLove.com
I am totally loving how legit this looks!
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious
This looks like such an easy weeknight option!