Gluten-Free Orange Chicken (Dairy-Free)

Gluten-Free Orange Chicken, is a healthy spin on the Panda Express favorite! Made with wholesome ingredients including freshly squeezed orange juice, and sweetened with a touch of honey. 

This healthy orange chicken recipe has been a household favorite for years! From start to finish, this easy recipe can be made in under 40 minutes, which is a huge time saver for those of us on the go. Unlike most orange chicken recipes, this recipe is made with fresh, never processed, ingredients to help create the healthiest tastiest orange sauce, even better than the restaurant version. After trying this recipe, you’ll never want take-out again!

Gluten-Free Orange Chicken Ingredients

This gluten-free orange chicken recipe is easy to make with wholesome ingredients. The sweet orange sauce is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and with a paleo option. 

• Chicken: You can use skinless chicken breasts or skinless chicken thighs. We prefer thighs as they are more flavorful and juicy.
• Sesame Oil: Sesame oil gives the chicken a delicious nutty flavor, but feel free to use coconut oil, avocado oil, or olive oil instead.
• Orange Juice and Orange Zest: Fresh orange juice and orange zest are the key ingredients for the orange chicken sauce. Our favorite oranges to use are navel oranges, and you will need around 5-6 larges oranges for ½ a cup of juice.
• Coconut Aminos: A great gluten-free soy sauce substitute. If using regular soy sauce or gluten-free soy sauce, cut back the amount by 1 tablespoon. Please note that regular soy sauce is not gluten-free.
• Chili Paste: Garlic chili paste helps give the sauce a bit of heat.
• Honey: This helps to sweeten the sauce.
• Garlic Powder: You can always opt for fresh garlic, but garlic powder works just fine.
• Salt: For flavor.
• Arrowroot Powder: Arrowroot starch helps to thicken the sauce. Just make sure to whisk it in accordingly to avoid a gummy texture. You could also use corn starch.

How to Make Orange Chicken

This easy gluten-free orange chicken recipe can be made from start to finish in under 40 minutes! This version of orange chicken is not only healthier but the perfect combination of both savory and sweet.

1. Wash and dry your chicken, then with a sharp knife and cutting board, cut chicken pieces into 1-inch cubes.
2. Add the chicken pieces to a large frying pan with the sesame oil. Cook through on medium heat until golden brown (around 8-10 minutes). While the chicken is cooking you can start to create the sauce.
3. In a medium-size bowl add the fresh orange juice, zest, coconut aminos, honey, garlic powder, and salt. Whisk all the ingredients together.
4. Once the chicken is fully cooked, drain any excess juice with a colander, then transfer the chicken pieces to a small bowl.
5. Return the frying pan to the stove, and turn the burner to medium-high heat. Pour the sauce into the frying pan, bringing it to a boil. Once with sauce begins to boil, reduce the heat to medium and allow the sauce to simmer.
6. Create a slurry by mixing a teaspoon of arrowroot powder with two teaspoons of water in a small bowl. Pour the slurry mixture into the simmering juice, whisking thoroughly until dissolved.
7. Continue to simmer the sauce for 12-15 minutes, or until thickened. You will know the sauce is done when it coats the back of a spoon.
8. Once the sauce has thickened, turn off the heat and add the cooked chicken back to the pan, coating the chicken until fully covered.
9. Serve immediately with steamed broccoli, green beans, cauliflower rice, white or brown rice. Garnish with sesame seeds or green onions.
10. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

What Is The Best Type Of Oil To Cook The Chicken In?

I love using sesame seed oil which gives the chicken a nice nutty flavor. You can also use coconut oil, avocado oil, or olive oil.

What Can I Substitute For Soy Sauce?

For this recipe, you can use gluten-free soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos. If using soy sauce or tamari, cut back the amount by 1 tablespoon.

For Other Healthy Dinner Recipes, Check Out The Links Below

• Gluten-Free Oven Baked Spicy Italian Herb Chicken Thighs (Boneless, Skinless)
• Gluten-Free Chicken Lettuce Wraps (Dairy-Free)
• Sweet Potato Chili
• Zuppa Toscana Soup
• Yellow Chicken Curry
• Healthy Sloppy Joes

Recipe

Gluten-Free Orange Chicken (Dairy-Free)

Recipe Author : Rebecca Taig

Diet :Gluten Free, Low Lactose

Gluten-Free Orange Chicken, is a healthy spin on the Panda Express favorite! Made with wholesome ingredients including freshly squeezed orange juice, and sweetened with a touch of honey. 

5 from 4 votes

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Course Main Course

Cuisine Chinese

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings 4 people

Calories 347 kcal

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

 

• ▢ 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
• ▢ 1 tablespoon sesame seed oil
• ▢ 1½ cups fresh orange juice 5 large navel oranges squeezed
• ▢ ¼ cup coconut-aminos
• ▢ 1 teaspoon chili paste
• ▢ 3 tablespoons honey
• ▢ 1 tablespoon orange zest
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon arrowroot powder

Instructions

 

• Wash and dry your chicken, then with a sharp knife and cutting board, cut chicken pieces into 1-inch cubes.
• Add the chicken pieces to a large frying pan with the sesame oil. Cook through on medium heat until golden brown (around 8-10 minutes). While the chicken is cooking you can start to create the sauce.
• In a medium-size bowl add the fresh orange juice, zest, coconut aminos, honey, garlic powder, and salt. Whisk all the ingredients together.
• Once the chicken is fully cooked, drain any excess juice with a colander, then transfer the chicken pieces to a small bowl.
• Return the frying pan to the stove, and turn the burner to medium-high heat. Pour the sauce into the frying pan, bringing it to a boil. Once with sauce begins to boil, reduce the heat to medium and allow the sauce to simmer.
• Create a slurry by mixing a teaspoon of arrowroot powder with two teaspoons of water in a small bowl. Pour the slurry mixture into the simmering juice, whisking thoroughly until dissolved.
• Continue to simmer the sauce for 12-15 minutes, or until thickened. You will know the sauce is done when it coats the back of a spoon.
• Once the sauce has thickened, turn off the heat and add the cooked chicken back to the pan, coating the chicken until fully covered.
• Serve immediately with steamed broccoli, green beans, cauliflower rice, white or brown rice. Garnish with sesame seeds or green onions.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowlCalories: 347kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 34gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 162mgSodium: 638mgPotassium: 628mgFiber: 1gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 236IUVitamin C: 49mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 2mg

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