Easy Orange Chicken with a Sweet and Tangy Glaze
This easy orange chicken recipe features a sweet and tangy glaze with better-for-you ingredients. A healthier take on the takeout classic, ready in under 30 minutes!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1 inch pieces
- ¼ cup avocado oil enough to cover the bottom of the skillet
Chicken Marinade
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp coconut aminos or soy sauce
- 1 tbsp mirin
- ¼ cup egg whites or the whites of 2 eggs
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
Orange Sauce
- 1 tsp avocado oil
- 3 cloves garlic grated or minced
- 1 tsp ginger grated
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- juice of 2 large oranges about 1/3 cup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos or soy sauce
- 1 tbs p rice vinegar
- 1 tsp Sriracha
- 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces. In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, coconut aminos, mirin, egg whites, and cornstarch. Toss to coat evenly, then let marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 3 hours.
- In a large skillet, heat enough oil over medium-high heat to coat the bottom of the pan. Once hot, add the chicken pieces in a single layer—being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook in batches if needed. Sear the chicken for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a wire rack or a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Discard the used oil and wipe the skillet clean.
- To the skillet, add the oil, ginger and garlic, and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in the sauce mixture (reserving the cornstarch slurry) and bring to a simmer. Stir in the cornstarch slurry, cooking and stirring continuously until the sauce thickens. Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat. Let it simmer for 1–2 more minutes until the chicken is fully coated and heated through.
- Serve the orange chicken over a bed of white rice alongside your favorite stir-fried vegetables. Enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: To get a nice golden sear on the chicken, cook in a single layer and avoid overcrowding. Work in batches if needed for the best texture and color.
- Adjust the heat: Feel free to customize the spice level by increasing or reducing the amount of red pepper flakes and sriracha to suit your taste.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed. You can also microwave in short intervals, stirring in between for even heating
Did You Make This Recipe?Mention @megans_meals_11 on Instagram or tag #megansmeals!
Share on Facebook
Pin Recipe