Easy & Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe: A Quick Weeknight Meal

Craving a vibrant, flavorful Chinese takeout experience without the heavy breading and extra oil? Look no further! This homemade Orange Chicken recipe offers all the irresistible sweet and tangy zest you love, perfectly balanced with tender, succulent chicken, all prepared in a healthier, quick-cooking style. It’s an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you want a delicious meal on the table in under 30 minutes, satisfying your cravings for Asian-inspired cuisine.

Our recipe transforms classic Orange Chicken into a lighter version by skipping the deep frying and opting for a simple sauté. The star of the show is a luscious citrus sauce, bright with fresh orange juice and zest, subtly sweetened with honey, and given depth by soy sauce and a hint of ginger and garlic. Served alongside fluffy rice and crisp steamed vegetables, it’s a complete, wholesome, and incredibly satisfying meal that proves healthy eating can be bursting with flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Orange Chicken

There are countless reasons why this Easy Orange Chicken recipe will become a staple in your meal rotation. First and foremost, the taste is simply phenomenal. It captures the essence of your favorite takeout dish, but with a fresher, cleaner flavor profile. The vibrant orange notes are more pronounced, and the sauce achieves a perfect harmony of sweet, sour, and savory.

Beyond taste, its health benefits are a major draw. By foregoing the traditional breading and deep-frying, we significantly reduce the fat and calorie content. The chicken is lightly seared to perfection, locking in juices while maintaining a lean profile. This makes it a fantastic option for anyone looking for a healthier alternative to conventional Chinese takeout, without compromising on that beloved orange chicken taste.

Convenience is another key factor. This recipe is designed for speed and ease, making it perfect for those hectic weekday evenings. With minimal prep and a quick cook time, you can have a flavorful, wholesome dinner ready faster than ordering delivery. It’s also incredibly versatile, lending itself beautifully to meal prep. Cook a larger batch, and you’ll have delicious, ready-to-eat meals for several days, saving you time and effort later in the week.

The Secret to a Perfect Orange Chicken Sauce

The magic of orange chicken truly lies in its signature sauce. This recipe features a meticulously crafted sauce that balances sweet, tangy, and umami flavors to perfection. Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients and how they contribute to its irresistible appeal:

• Fresh Orange Juice & Zest: These are non-negotiable for authentic flavor. Freshly squeezed orange juice provides a bright, natural sweetness and tang, while the zest adds an intense burst of citrus aroma and essential oils. Don’t skip the zest – it makes a significant difference!
• Honey: We use honey as a natural sweetener, contributing a delicate floral note that complements the orange beautifully. You can substitute with brown sugar if preferred, but honey offers a unique depth.
• Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Essential for that savory, umami depth that defines Asian cuisine. Using low-sodium soy sauce allows you to control the saltiness of the dish, preventing it from becoming overly salty.
• Apple Cider Vinegar (or Rice Vinegar): This provides the necessary acidity to balance the sweetness of the honey and orange juice, adding a crucial tangy element that brightens the entire sauce.
• Minced Garlic & Freshly Grated Ginger: These aromatic powerhouses are fundamental to Chinese cooking. They infuse the sauce with warmth, pungency, and a fragrant spice that elevates the overall flavor profile.
• Cornstarch: The secret to a perfectly thick, glossy sauce. Cornstarch acts as a thickening agent, ensuring the sauce coats every piece of chicken beautifully. Always whisk it thoroughly with the liquid ingredients before heating to avoid lumps.

Achieving the right sauce consistency is simple: once combined, add the sauce mixture to the cooked chicken and allow it to simmer gently over medium-low heat. The cornstarch will activate, transforming the liquid into a rich, clinging sauce. Stir frequently to ensure even thickening and prevent sticking.

Making Your Chicken Tender and Flavorful

The chicken in this Orange Chicken recipe is designed to be tender, juicy, and infused with flavor without the need for heavy breading or deep-frying. Here’s how to prepare it perfectly:

• Choice of Chicken: You have the flexibility to use either boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Chicken breasts offer a leaner option, while chicken thighs tend to be more forgiving and retain moisture, resulting in a juicier texture. Whichever you choose, ensure they are boneless and skinless for ease of preparation.
• Dicing Size: Cut the chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces, roughly 1-inch cubes. This ensures even cooking and makes the chicken easy to eat.
• Seasoning: A simple seasoning of salt and black pepper before cooking enhances the chicken’s natural flavor and prepares it to absorb the delicious orange sauce.
• Sautéing Technique: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil (or another high-heat oil like avocado oil) in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook until the chicken is golden brown on all sides and fully cooked through. Browning the chicken adds an extra layer of flavor through the Maillard reaction, contributing to a more complex final dish. Avoid overcooking, as this can lead to dry chicken.

While some traditional orange chicken recipes involve a flour or cornstarch coating and deep-frying for a crispy exterior, this recipe intentionally skips that step to keep it lighter and quicker. The focus here is on the succulent texture of the chicken and the bold flavor of the sauce, making it a “skinny” or healthier version that doesn’t compromise on taste.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delectable homemade orange chicken. Here’s a comprehensive list of what you’ll need:

• 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (or avocado oil)
• ½ cup fresh orange juice (from about 1-2 oranges)
• ¼ cup honey (or brown sugar)
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• Zest of ½ orange (finely grated)
• ½ teaspoon freshly grated ginger

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Best Orange Chicken

Follow these simple steps to prepare your easy and healthy orange chicken:

1. Prepare the Chicken: Start by dicing your boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs into uniform bite-sized pieces (approximately 1-inch cubes). Season the chicken generously with salt and black pepper. Set aside.
2. Whisk the Sauce: In a medium mixing bowl or a large measuring cup, combine the orange juice, honey, low-sodium soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, and orange zest. Whisk vigorously until all ingredients are well combined. Add the cornstarch and whisk again until there are no lumps and the mixture is smooth. Set the sauce aside.
3. Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the seasoned chicken pieces. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked through and golden brown on all sides. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
4. Thicken the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Give the prepared sauce a quick whisk once more (to re-incorporate any settled cornstarch), then pour it directly into the skillet with the cooked chicken. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring continuously. Continue to cook on medium-low heat for 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce has visibly thickened and coats the chicken beautifully.
5. Serve and Enjoy: Remove the skillet from the heat. Your delicious orange chicken is now ready to serve!

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

This versatile orange chicken pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides, creating a complete and satisfying meal:

• Classic Combination: Serve with fluffy white rice (such as Jasmine or Basmati), brown rice for added fiber, or even Instant Pot rice for ultimate convenience. Complement it with a side of steamed vegetables like broccoli florets, snap peas, or a colorful Asian vegetable mix.
• Low-Carb Options: For a lighter, low-carb meal, skip the rice and serve the saucy chicken in crisp lettuce cups (such as butter lettuce or romaine). You can also pair it with cauliflower rice or spiralized zucchini noodles.
• Additional Sides: Consider serving with a simple side salad dressed with a sesame ginger vinaigrette, or a quick stir-fry of your favorite greens like bok choy or spinach.
• Garnish Ideas: Finish your dish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for a nutty crunch, chopped green onions for a fresh, mild onion flavor, or even a few thin orange slices for an extra touch of citrus appeal.

Meal Prepping and Storage Tips

This Orange Chicken recipe is excellent for meal prepping, making your busy weeknights even easier. Here’s how to handle leftovers and prepare ahead:

• Make Ahead: You can prepare components of this dish in advance. Cook the chicken as directed, cool it completely, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Separately, prepare the sauce, cool it, and store it in a sealed jar in the fridge for the same duration. When ready to eat, simply reheat the chicken in a skillet, add the sauce, and simmer until thickened and heated through.
• Full Recipe Meal Prep: Alternatively, you can cook the entire dish (chicken and sauce together), allow it to cool completely, and then portion it into airtight containers. Store these in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This makes for quick grab-and-go lunches or dinners.
• Reheating Leftovers: When reheating the cooked orange chicken, you might notice the sauce has thickened considerably in the fridge. To restore its perfect consistency, add a tablespoon or two of water or chicken broth to the skillet while reheating over medium-low heat, stirring until the sauce loosens and coats the chicken again. Avoid high heat, as it can dry out the chicken.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are answers to some common questions about making this delicious orange chicken:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe. They tend to be a bit juicier and more flavorful, making them a great alternative if you prefer. The cooking time will be similar.

How can I make this recipe spicier?

To add a kick, you can include a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic and ginger when making the sauce, or stir in a dash of sriracha or chili garlic sauce at the end. Adjust to your preferred level of heat.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

To make this recipe gluten-free, simply substitute regular soy sauce with a gluten-free tamari. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Can I use frozen chicken?

If using frozen chicken, ensure it is fully thawed before dicing and cooking. Cooking partially frozen chicken can lead to uneven cooking and a less desirable texture.

How do I adjust the sauce thickness?

If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon of water or chicken broth at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, you can create a slurry with a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of cold water, then stir it into the simmering sauce and cook for another minute until thickened.

Can I add more vegetables to the dish?

Yes, this recipe is very flexible! You can stir-fry additional vegetables like sliced bell peppers, carrots, snow peas, or sliced mushrooms directly into the skillet with the chicken during the last few minutes of cooking, or steam them separately and add them at the end.

More Delicious Asian-Inspired Dinners

If you love the flavors of this Orange Chicken, be sure to explore these other fantastic Asian-inspired dinner recipes:

• Honey Lemon Chicken
• Easy Sesame Chicken
• 10-Minute Teriyaki Shrimp
• Quick Sweet and Sour Chicken

Orange Chicken

Author: Anna

This Orange Chicken is a quick and easy Chinese dish with chicken breast or thighs simmered in a citrus sauce. Perfect served with rice and steamed vegetables.

Rating: 4.96 from 22 votes

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Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 12 mins
• Total Time: 17 mins
• Course: Main Course
• Cuisine: Asian
• Servings: 4 people
• Calories: 322 kcal

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ cup orange juice
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• zest of ½ orange
• ½ teaspoon freshly grated ginger

Instructions

1. Cut chicken into bite size pieces, season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat up olive oil in skillet. Add chicken and cook until done and it starts to brown.
3. In a mixing bowl or measuring glass cup, whisk together orange juice, honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic, ginger, orange zest and cornstarch. Whisk well.
4. Add to chicken and cook on medium-low heat until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat.
5. Serve with steamed vegetables and rice or in lettuce cups.

Notes

1. You can use boneless skinless chicken thighs in this recipe.
2. The nutrition value does not include rice and broccoli.
3. Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 322kcal
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Protein: 37g
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 108mg
• Sodium: 1021mg
• Potassium: 731mg
• Sugar: 20g
• Vitamin A: 115IU
• Vitamin C: 17.7mg
• Calcium: 15mg
• Iron: 1.1mg

Tried this recipe? Leave a comment with rating below!

Final Thoughts and Your Feedback

We hope this Easy & Healthy Orange Chicken recipe becomes a cherished favorite in your kitchen. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients, when combined thoughtfully, can create an extraordinary dish that’s both comforting and invigorating. The bright, zesty sauce coupled with tender chicken truly delivers a restaurant-quality experience right at home, but with the added satisfaction of knowing it’s a healthier choice.

We absolutely love hearing from you! If you try this recipe and enjoy it, please consider snapping a photo and sharing it on INSTAGRAM. Don’t forget to tag us @crunchycreamysweet so we can see your beautiful creations and leave a comment. Your feedback and ratings help other home cooks discover and enjoy this delicious recipe too!

This recipe was originally posted on January 11th, 2019 and updated on January 14th, 2020.