Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (about 2 large breasts)
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
Orange Sauce
- 1 1/2 cups orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 1-2 tsp. orange zest
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
- 2 tsp. garlic, minced
- 2 tsp. rice vinegar
- 1 tsp. ginger, minced
- 1/2 tsp. red pepper chili flakes (optional)
- 1/4 tsp. white pepper
- 1-2 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 1-2 Tbsp. water (to make slurry)
Garnish
- Green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the boneless skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and better sauce absorption.
- Sauté the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until they are golden brown and cooked through, approximately 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Make the Orange Sauce: In the same skillet, combine freshly squeezed orange juice, orange zest, honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, minced ginger, red pepper chili flakes (if using), and white pepper. Stir and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Slowly add this slurry to the simmering sauce while stirring continuously. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 2-3 minutes.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet. Toss gently to coat the chicken evenly with the thickened orange sauce. Heat through for another 1-2 minutes.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the orange chicken to a serving dish. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and a pop of color.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper chili flakes based on your preferred spice level or omit for no heat.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice provides the best flavor, but bottled can be used in a pinch.
- You can substitute honey with maple syrup for a vegan alternative, though the recipe is not fully vegan due to chicken.
- This dish pairs well with steamed rice or quinoa for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-American
- Diet: Low Fat
