Easy, Healthy Orange Chicken

This healthy orange chicken is a healthier, more delicious version of your favorite takeout. It's easy to make with just one pan, bursting with flavor and customizable to whatever vegetables you have on hand. (no added sugar, gluten-free option)

Craving your favorite Chinese takeout, but don't want to (or can't) get out? Or perhaps you're looking for a healthier, simpler version to satisfy your craving? I've got you covered with this easy and healthy orange chicken recipe! Featuring juicy chicken and fresh veggies in a no-added-sugar, easy-to-make sauce, this delicious orange chicken is perfect for weeknight meals.

Why This Is The BEST Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe

• This orange chicken recipe is super easy to make. Just chop a few veggies and chicken, whisk the sauce, and cook it all in one skillet. That's right, ONE PAN DINNER, so it's perfect for weeknights. It's even easier if you serve it with ready-to-eat brown rice (such as Uncle Ben's, which is what we use) or pre-cooked frozen rice or quinoa.
• This recipe uses simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand. Pantry staples for the win!
• It's healthy! Pan-seared chicken breast, lots of veggies, and no added sugar make this orange chicken recipe much more nutritious than your typical takeout. And you can easily make it gluten-free or corn-free if needed.
• This orange chicken is simply delicious. It's husband and kid-approved (see my Queen C trying to sneak a bite?) so everyone's happy!

How To Make Healthy Orange Chicken 

1. Prep all of the ingredients - chop the veggies and cut the chicken into pieces. 
2. Whisk together all of the sauce ingredients.
3. Sear the chicken in a nonstick skillet. 
4. Cook the veggies in the same skillet.
5. Add the chicken back into the skillet, along with the sauce, and cook until the sauce is bubbly and the chicken is cooked through.

Tips For Making The Best Easy Orange Chicken

• Prep all of your ingredients and whisk the sauce together before you start cooking. Since this dish comes together so quickly, it's best to have everything prepped first. You should also have a plate ready to put the chicken on after you brown it. 
• A good nonstick skillet makes this cooking this dish much easier. I love the GreenPan ones from Food52 and the All-Clad ones. 
• Use any veggies that you like or have on hand. No edamame? Leave it out! If you'd rather have bell peppers, use those. Frozen broccoli? Great! Add any veggies in where you add the carrots and snow peas. 
• To make this a super easy meal, serve it with frozen or leftover brown rice, quinoa, or other grain that you love, or a ready to eat rice pouch. 
• To make this orange chicken gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos in place of the soy sauce. 
• Tapioca starch or arrowroot powder can be used in place of cornstarch. 

More One-Dish Dinners You'll Love

• One Dish Quinoa Chicken Enchilada Casserole
• One Pan Broccoli Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
• One Pot Tortellini Lasagna Soup
• One Pan BBQ Mushroom Chicken
• One Pot French Onion Chicken
• Sheet Pan Honey Turmeric Chicken With Roasted Cauliflower and Grapes
• Sheet Pan Mediterranean Baked Whitefish
• Sheet Pan Maple Dijon Salmon with Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the comments!

Easy, Healthy Orange Chicken

Print Recipe

This healthy orange chicken is a healthier, more delicious version or your favorite takeout. It's easy to make with just one pan, bursting with flavor and customizable to whatever vegetables you have on hand. (no added sugar, gluten-free option)

• Author: Kaleigh
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: main dish
• Method: stovetop
• Cuisine: Asian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the sauce:

• 1 cup 100% orange juice (bottled or fresh squeezed)
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp grated fresh ginger or ginger paste
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp corn starch
• 1 tsp sesame oil

For the Orange Peel Chicken:

• 2 tsp neutral oil, such as avocado oil or canola oil, divided
• 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast
• Pinch salt and freshly cracked black pepper
• 3 medium carrots, sliced
• 1 cup snow peas
• ½ cup frozen edamame, thawed

For serving:

• Sliced green onions
• Cooked brown rice, cauliflower rice or quinoa

Instructions

1. Whisk together sauce ingredients and set aside. Chop carrots and cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
2. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon of the oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper and add to skillet, stirring occasionally so that all sides get browned. Continue cooking until chicken is mostly cooked through, 5-8 minutes. Remove from chicken from skillet and set aside.
3. Add remaining 1 teaspoon oil to the skillet. Add carrots, snow peas and edamame to skillet and cook, stirring, until carrots are softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Add chicken back to the skillet and pour in sauce. Cook until sauce is thickened, about 5 more minutes.
5. Sprinkle with green onions and serve with cooked brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice.

Notes

• To make this orange chicken gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos in place of the soy sauce.
• Tapioca starch or arrowroot powder can be used in place of cornstarch.
• Prep all of your ingredients and whisk the sauce together before you start cooking. Since this dish comes together so quickly, it's best to have everything prepped first. You should also have a plate ready to put the chicken on after you brown it.
• A good nonstick skillet makes this cooking this dish much easier. I love the GreenPan ones from Food52 (get $20 off here!) and the All-Clad ones.
• Use any veggies that you like or have on hand. No edamame? Leave it out! If you'd rather have bell peppers, use those. Frozen broccoli? Great! Add any veggies in where you add the carrots and snow peas.
• To make this a super easy meal, serve it with frozen or leftover brown rice, quinoa, or other grain that you love, or a ready to eat rice pouch.

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