Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe
If you’ve ever craved that blissful tangy-sweet flavor of takeout, but wished for a healthier twist, the Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe is exactly what you need. Succulent chicken gets tossed in a vibrant orange-honey sauce made from real fruit juice and nourishing ingredients, finished with crispy edges and a comforting side of rice and vegetables. With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can whip up this fresh, lively, and genuinely satisfying take on a classic favorite—no heavy breading, deep frying, or guilt required!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe is all about wholesome flavors that sing in harmony. Each ingredient brings a unique note—whether it’s juicy brightness, subtle umami, or fresh aromatics—so be sure to read each tip to make the most of your meal!
- Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes offer lean protein and a meaty, satisfying texture.
- Olive oil: Adds richness and helps the chicken become golden with beautifully crisped edges.
- Toasted sesame oil: Just a hint infuses the dish with nutty, classic Asian undertones—don’t skip it!
- Orange juice: This forms the bright, citrusy backbone of the whole sauce; use fresh for best results.
- Coconut aminos: A lighter substitute for soy sauce that’s gluten-free, salty, and mildly sweet; perfect for keeping things healthy.
- Honey: Provides natural sweetness and helps the sauce thicken up with gorgeous glossiness.
- Garlic powder: Gives a savory depth without overwhelming the other flavors.
- Black pepper: Just a dash brings balance and the tiniest kick to wake up your taste buds.
- Fresh ginger: Grated ginger adds zippy warmth and livens up the orange sauce.
- Orange zest: Intensifies the fresh citrus aroma and provides little pops of flavor.
- Steamed broccoli or green beans: These veggies soak up the sauce and add color, crunch, and nutritional boosts.
- Cooked rice: A simple, fluffy base to soak up every drop of that irresistible orange sauce.
How to Make Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Rice and Veggies
Begin by getting your rice and chosen steamed veggies ready according to their package directions. Having them prepped ahead makes assembling your Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe feel entirely seamless—and ensures everything is hot and fresh at serving time.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high. Toss in the chicken cubes and let them sizzle untouched for a few minutes for golden, slightly crispy edges. Give them a gentle stir or flip, and after about 10 minutes, you should have evenly browned, cooked-through chicken that’s tantalizingly aromatic.
Step 3: Mix the Orange Sauce
While the chicken works its magic in the pan, combine the orange juice, coconut aminos, honey, garlic powder, pepper, grated ginger, and orange zest in a bowl. Stir briskly—this step blends sweet, tangy, and savory wonders for your amazing Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe sauce.
Step 4: Remove Chicken and Start the Sauce
Once the chicken is cooked through, transfer it to a clean bowl and set it aside. Keep all those tasty browned bits in the pan—they’re flavor gold! Pour in your sauce mixture and let it come to a lively boil, stirring every minute or so for 15-20 minutes. The sauce should bubble energetically and slowly thicken as the liquid reduces.
Step 5: Return Chicken to the Sauce
You’ll know your sauce is ready when you scrape a spatula along the bottom and see the sauce momentarily pull away from the pan. Add the chicken back in and toss well, making sure each piece is generously coated in glossy, orange goodness.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Spoon the hot, saucy chicken over your fluffy cooked rice and freshly steamed vegetables. Stand back and admire your gorgeously vibrant plate—then dig in for a flavor-packed feast that feels as special as any takeout dinner, but so much healthier!
Step 7: Instant Pot Instructions
If you love using the Instant Pot, just follow a few simple adjustments: halve the sauce ingredients (except chicken stock), sear the chicken on “Sauté,” then pressure cook with the sauce for 3 minutes. After quick-releasing the steam, remove the chicken, whisk in a cornstarch-chicken stock slurry, and bubble the sauce until thick. Return the chicken, keep warm, and enjoy your speedy, fuss-free Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe!
How to Serve Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Give your Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe a fresh pop with a sprinkle of sliced green onions, extra orange zest, or toasted sesame seeds. These simple garnishes elevate both the flavor and appearance, making each plate look restaurant-worthy (and invitingly delicious).
Side Dishes
This recipe is already vibrant with rice and veggies, but you can switch it up with fluffy quinoa, cauliflower rice, or even a light Asian slaw for crunch. If you’re feeling fancy, kimchi or a pile of crisp snap peas make for a fun and nutritious bonus.
Creative Ways to Present
Instead of the classic “bowl” method, try wrapping your orange chicken and veggies in crisp lettuce cups, or serve family-style on a large platter with rice in the center. For a lunchbox version, layer everything bento-box style and add fresh orange wedges for a citrusy twist!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe portions in an airtight container, and refrigerate promptly. The flavors will continue to mingle and deepen, making next-day lunches absolutely crave-worthy for up to 3 days.
Freezing
The cooked chicken and sauce freeze beautifully—allow them to cool first, then pop into a freezer-safe container. Defrost in the fridge overnight and enjoy your homemade orange chicken on demand for up to a month.
Reheating
For best results, gently reheat on the stovetop over medium-low, adding a splash of water or orange juice to loosen the sauce if needed. The microwave works, too: use short intervals and stir often to keep the chicken juicy and the flavors fresh.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs add even more flavor and stay ultra-juicy. Just trim any excess fat and cut them into bite-sized pieces as you would with breasts.
Is coconut aminos essential, or can I substitute soy sauce?
You can swap in low-sodium soy sauce if that’s what you have on hand, but coconut aminos lend a milder, slightly sweeter touch that keeps this Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe feeling light and vibrant.
How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
This dish is naturally gluten-free if you use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce and pair it with certified gluten-free rice or grains. Double-check any packaged ingredients to be sure!
What vegetables work well in place of broccoli or green beans?
Try steamed bok choy, snow peas, bell peppers, or even cauliflower. The orange sauce is versatile, so don’t be afraid to mix-and-match with your favorite seasonal veggies.
Can I make the Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe ahead of time?
Definitely! The flavors develop even more as the chicken sits in the sauce. Store components separately or assemble fully, then just reheat when you’re ready for dinner the next day.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you experience the bright flavors and real-food goodness of this Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe, takeout will never taste the same! It’s a vibrant, nourishing way to treat yourself and your loved ones, so go ahead—give it a try and savor the delicious results right from your own kitchen.
Print
Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Delicious and healthy orange chicken recipe that is bursting with flavor and perfect for a nutritious meal.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut in 1 inch cubes)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
For the Sauce:
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 tablespoon orange zest
For Serving:
- 4 cups steamed broccoli or green beans
- 2 cups cooked rice
Instructions
- Cook green beans and rice according to package directions.
- While the chicken cooks, stir together all ingredients for the sauce in a bowl.
- Once the chicken is thoroughly cooked remove it from the pan and set aside in a clean bowl.
- Pour the sauce mixture into the same pan you cooked the chicken in.
- Bring the sauce mixture to a boil for 15-20 minutes, stirring every minute or so until it starts to thicken.
- Once the sauce has thickened, add the cooked chicken back to the pot. Stir to coat the chicken in the sauce.
- Serve over steamed vegetables and rice.
- For Instant Pot Instructions:
- Turn the Instant Pot to sauté on the highest heat setting. Drizzle in 2 tablespoons of sesame oil and allow it to heat up.
- Put the diced chicken back into the Instant Pot and pour the sauce mixture over. Close the lid and put the vent to sealing. Set it to Manual High Pressure for 3 minutes.
- When the Instant Pot releases all the steam the button will lower down and you’ll be able to safely open the lid.
- Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and place on a plate. Mix together the chicken broth and corn starch.
- Turn the Instant Pot back to sauté choosing the highest heat setting again. Stream in the corn starch slurry and whisk. Allow the mixture to boil for 7-9 minutes until it’s nice and thick.
- Return the chicken to the sauce and select the “Keep Warm” setting on the Instant Pot. Serve over steamed broccoli or green beans for a paleo option, or rice/quinoa.
In a large sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add chicken to the pan and cook for 10 minutes until the edges are brown and slightly crispy.
IMPORTANT: If making this recipe in the instant pot you will need 3 teaspoons of cornstarch or arrowroot powder and 1/4 cup chicken stock. You also must use 1/2 the amount of ingredients in the sauce recipe, except for chicken stock.
Trim the chicken breasts and dry them off with paper towels. When the Instant Pot is hot place the chicken breasts in the oil. Sear them on each side for 2 minutes then flip just to get a golden color. You’re not trying to cook them through.
When it’s finished quick release the steam by setting the valve to venting. Be sure to use a towel or pot holder to do this so you don’t get burned.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Make sure to stir the sauce constantly to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Healthy, Orange Chicken, Asian, Instant Pot, Gluten Free, Low Calorie
