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Overhead view of easy orange chicken on a bed of rice and garnished with green onions, sesame seeds, and orange slices.

Easy Orange Chicken

Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: 30 minute chicken dinner, 30 minutes or less, orange chicken
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 289kcal
Author: Malinda Linnebur
This Easy Orange Chicken is a great weeknight meal! It uses easy to find everyday ingredients making a healthier version of a popular Chinese take out dish!
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ pounds (1.1kg) boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
  • zest of 1 orange
  • cup (160ml) fresh orange juice
  • cup (160ml) water
  • cup (80ml) honey
  • 2 clove garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger

Instructions

  • Cut chicken into small bite sized pieces. Cook in a large skillet over medium heat until no longer pink. May need a little oil.
  • While the chicken is cooking combine the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl or liquid measuring cup. When the chicken is done cooking give the sauce mixture a stir and pour over the chicken. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce is thickened.

Notes

  1. STORAGE: Store completely cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  2. FREEZER FRIENDLY: Freeze cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stove top, stirring constantly until heated through. Or reheat in the microwave.
  3. MAKE AHEAD: This really is an easy dish to make start to finish but you can cut up the chicken in advance. Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator until ready to use. 
  4. GINGER: Use fresh ginger for this recipe. You can also find grated ginger in a squeeze tube in the produce section next to the fresh herbs. 

Nutrition

Calories: 289kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 121mg | Sodium: 441mg | Potassium: 777mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 109IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg