Does anyone else just love those breaded, deep-fried chicken cubes all coated in a sweet sauce? Well… I can definitely say I always have! But as time has gone on, I find myself craving more flavor and less of the stomachache I always get with those types of foods. So I’ve come up with a simple homemade version of orange chicken that’s quick and easy to make! Orange chicken is yet another tasty dish that is deep-fried and coated in a sauce that has more sugar than your average dessert! But the good news is, it tastes incredible when you make it with no added sugar at all. It’s all about the depth of flavor in the sauce which is super easy to make. So if you’re like me and crave those Chinese takeout flavors, this one’s for you! And because we make super easy recipes around here, there’s no deep frying involved either. This is a lighter skinny orange chicken but not because we’re counting calories. It’s much lighter because there’s no deep fried chicken like traditional orange chicken.
Make this recipe step by step
Step 1: If you’re making rice or any veggie side dishes, get those started first because this orange chicken comes together fast! Begin this recipe by mincing the garlic and ginger. Step 2: Then zest and juice the oranges. I like to use a microplane grater because it gives you the finest texture of zest that fairly melts into the sauce. Step 3: Then finely slice the green onions and cube up the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Step 4: Now that everything is prepped, heat a large skillet over high heat. Then add the oil and sauté the chicken over high heat until browned and just cooked in the center. Step 5: Next remove the cooked chicken from the pan and set it aside. In the remaining oil, sauté the garlic and ginger over medium heat until fragrant, 45-60 seconds. Step 6: Then add the orange juice and zest along with the coconut aminos and briskly simmer until it begins to thicken, 8-10 minutes. Step 7: When the sauce has been reduced by at least half, you can thicken it with a touch of cornstarch mixed with water. Or you can reduce it down further by 75%. Step 8: When the sauce is the thickness you desire, add the chicken back to the pan. Simmer just to heat the chicken and make sure it’s cooked in the center. Step 9: Then just sprinkle the green onions and sesame seeds over the top. Serve immediately with your choice of side dishes! I hope you enjoy this better than takeout Healthy Orange Chicken! Once you get a chance to make this recipe, or if you have any questions, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. This recipe was originally published in 2021 but has been updated in 2023 with new prep photos, more tips and information, and nutrition facts.
