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This 20-minute healthier orange chicken is the perfect weeknight dish. Why pay for takeout when you can make this quick and easy dish from scratch?
I have this weird love-hate relationship with Chinese food.
I love it for the fact that it’s typically cheap, fast, and always available but I hate it for the fact that I’m always a little worried about why it’s so cheap.
How can good (as in quality) food cost so little? Well, the fact is that it’s probably not good quality.
Yeah, no thanks.
I mean I’m not a food elitist or anything.
I’m not sitting here on some sorta food pedestal. I will (when necessary) go face-deep in a box of chicken nuggets with sweet sour sauce BUT for the most part, I try to keep it real.
You know?
This is where this quick and easy meal comes into play.
It’s ready in 20 minutes and is about a million times better than anything you could get delivered.
It’s full of fresh orange flavor and perfect when served with brown rice and a big side of vegetables.
I like it served with broccoli but you live your life and serve it with anything you see fit.
I don’t run your vegetable-filled life. Your life. Your vegetable choice.
I’m also not opposed to you serving it with zero rice or vegetable and just eating it straight from the pan.
I’m super classy. I’m assuming the majority of my audience is just as class as myself.
Now, get into the kitchen and make this chicken. You will not be sorry. TRUST ME!
Oh and be prepared to burn your Chinese take-out menu because you won’t need them ever again.
More easy Asian-inspired recipes
Healthier Orange Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
- 1-1/2 pounds chicken breast tenderloins, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3/4 cup orange juice, fresh squeezed
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 teaspoons fish sauce
- 2 teaspoons grated ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, more if desired
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cold water
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds, optional
Instructions
- In a large nonstick skillet set over medium-high heat add coconut oil.
- Once the oil is hot add in the chicken and cook until lightly browned and fully cooked – about 8 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the pan and place the pan back on the heat.
- Add in orange juice, garlic, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, orange zest, fish sauce, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a slight boil.
- In a small bowl mix together cornstarch and cold water until the cornstarch is fully dissolved.
- Add cornstarch to the orange mixture and mix together until slightly thickened. This will not take too long so keep an eye on the mixture.
- Once you have reached your desired thickness remove from the heat, stir in your sesame seeds and add the chicken back to the pan and toss with the sauce.
- Serve with brown rice and vegetables if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
You always have the best quick meals 🙂 My family would love this (and probably much better than the local restaurants out here!)
Such a great spin on a classic meal!
I too have issues with Chinese American food despite loving it. I love that you served this with broccoli–speaking of cost, etc, it always boggles my mind that if I ask for broccoli with orange beef (which I love) I get like 2 pieces. How could the broccoli be more expensive than the beef????? Eeek! Looks delicious and I am going to try!
I love take out fake out recipes like this! pinning!
This looks amazing and I love quick and simple it is… great dinner idea!
This looks 1000 times better than orange chicken that would come from a restaurant! Loving the light version.
We don’t have much in the way of Chinese food here, but the kids do love it. I’d love to try your healthier version…it looks delicious!
This looks really tasty!
My life just got 10 times better in the last 5 seconds! This looks so great and I can’t believe how easy you’ve made it!
I love fast but healthy recipes! Thanks for sharing! 🙂