Healthy Orange Chicken
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Forget takeout, this healthy, Paleo and Whole30 healthy orange chicken is served with perfectly steamed broccoli. It’s a healthy spin on classic takeout, with homemade orange hoisin sauce that is just amazing. When you eat it, it really feels like a special occasion!
Whenever Friday night rolls around, I can’t help but to think about something a little more fun for dinner. But I love to make food that doesn’t make me feel bloated and heavy after eating it. Especially in years past during Whole30 these recipes kept cooking at home fun and enjoyable!
Real food versions of my classic takeout recipes are kind of our thing around here! Just check out my Beef and Broccoli, Chicken Pad Thai, or Egg Roll in a Bowl recipes.
But the best part? My kids LOVE this healthy orange chicken recipe. They really love it.
Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe
Eating healthy does not mean you have to eat boring or tasteless foods. You can still enjoy your favorites, with a few tweaks along the way!
This healthy orange chicken takes takeout to a whole food level focusing on yummy flavors without the unhealthy cooking methods or ingredients.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
You’re going to love this low-carb option for dinner time:
- Make this amazing dish in just 40 minutes. A homemade orange chicken sauce and homemade chicken, all made up for a delicious and easy dinner.
- There’s no deep frying involved in this recipe. It’s much healthier than traditional orange chicken, yet it lacks nothing in the flavor department!
- This orange chicken and broccoli is an easy way to incorporate more veggies into your meals. The broccoli in this dish is always so flavorful from the sauce on the chicken — even picky eaters will love it!
Ingredients
The beauty of this recipe is that it’s made with very simple ingredients. The orange hoisin sauce features ingredients that are Whole30 compliant, because this recipe was created during one of my Whole30’s! They’re great for any food journey though.
You’ll need:
- chicken
- ghee or olive oil
- broccoli florets
- sesame seeds
- green onions
- salt & black pepper
Orange Hoisin Sauce Ingredients
- almond butter
- orange zest
- orange juice⠀
- garlic
- fresh ginger
- apple cider vinegar⠀
- tomato paste⠀
- pitted dates⠀
- coconut aminos⠀
- sesame oil
- Chinese five spice
- chili powder
- salt & black pepper
Substitutions and Variations
You can substitute cashew butter or sunflower seed butter in place of almond butter.
If you do not have fresh ginger, ground ginger will work in its place. It’s not near as tasty as fresh, but it will do!
Both frozen and fresh broccoli will work in this recipe. You can also swap out the chicken breast for boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer.
While soy sauce isn't Whole30, you can use low sodium soy sauce in place of coconut aminos if your lifestyle allows for it.
This recipe was specifically tested with dates, but honey can be a good substitute!
How to Make Healthy Orange Chicken
The sauce in this recipe is amazing! I love to make a double batch of the sauce and freeze half to enjoy another day. I actually make a simplified version of this sauce for my Asian Orange Chicken Meatballs.
Here's instructions on how to make the sauce, and the rest of this dish too:
- Add all the sauce ingredients to a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Lower the heat and allow to simmer for about five minutes, stirring frequently. Then, pour the mixture into your blender or food processor and blend on high until smooth.
- Strain the sauce through cheesecloth, and if necessary, thin the sauce with more orange juice, a teaspoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency. It will thicken up a bit as it cools!
- Once the sauce is prepared, start preparing the chicken. Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch in size.
- Add the ghee to a large skillet over high heat, and add in the chicken. Allow to cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes or until mostly cooked through.
- Then add the sauce to the pan, bring to a simmer, and allow the chicken to cook in the sauce over medium heat for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
In a separate skillet, steam the broccoli over medium heat for 5-6 minutes or until bright green. Serve by plating the chicken and broccoli, then top each serving with green onions and sesame seeds.
How to Store Leftover Orange Chicken
Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and allow to cool completely. Then store in the fridge for 3-4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw before reheating.
For best results, reheat on the stovetop with a little bit of oil.
What to Serve with Healthy Orange Chicken
I love to serve this flavorful orange chicken over a bed of cauliflower rice. But if I'm not doing Whole30, it's great served over white rice. But this chicken is also a great addition to a chopped Asian salad, or serve the salad as a side dish.
Some broccoli ranch slaw or air fryer potato slices make a great side with this meal as well. Asian green beans are a great way to add some more veggies into your meal, too.
Tips for Success
Check out these few tips to make the best healthy orange chicken:
- The orange sauce is sweet, fragrant, sticky, and just absolutely delicious. You have the option to strain it once it's cooked to give it more of a glaze texture, or you can leave it exactly how it is. It'll be a little thicker, but it really doesn't affect the taste either way.
- Be sure to cut all of the chicken into evenly sized pieces so that they all finish cooking at the same time. And don't cut them too large or they won't finish cooking in the center.
- If you make extra sauce, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. I like to store it in a mason jar!
FAQ
Yes! This recipe is proof that you can make a healthier version of orange chicken. There is no breading or frying this recipe, and it also does not contain refined sugar. It is full of good-for-you ingredients that you'll love!
This easy dish is perfect for meal prep! It stores well and reheats well too. Make it ahead of time, allow it to cool and transfer to storage container to refrigerate or freeze until needed.
More Delicious Whole30 Recipes
Be sure to check out some of my other Whole30 Compliant Recipes:
- French Onion Pork Chops (Whole30, Low Carb)
- Bacon Loaded Parsnip Fries (Whole30)
- Shrimp Fra Diavolo (Whole30, Low Carb)
- Asian Steak, Mushroom and Asparagus Kebabs (Whole30, Low Carb)
Do you like this recipe? Drop a star rating below, and let me know what you think of it!
Healthy Orange Chicken
Ingredients
Orange Chicken & Broccoli
- 2 lbs chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons ghee
- 1 cup orange hoisin sauce see below⠀
- 1 teaspoons salt⠀
- 1 teaspoons pepper⠀
- 1 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 4 cups broccoli florets⠀
Orange Hoisin Sauce
- 2 tablespoons compliant almond butter⠀ or substitute cashew butter or sunflower seed butter
- zest and juice of 1 orange ⠀
- 2 cloves garlic⠀
- ½ inch peeled ginger about 1 teaspoon
- 1 teaspoons apple cider vinegar⠀
- 1 tablespoons tomato paste⠀
- 3-4 pitted dates⠀
- ¼ cup coconut aminos⠀
- ½ teaspoons Chinese five spice
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil⠀
- ½ teaspoons chili powder⠀
- 1 teaspoons salt⠀
- ½ teaspoons pepper ⠀
Instructions
Make the Orange Hoisin Sauce
- Add all the sauce ingredients to a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Lower the heat and allow to simmer for about five minutes, stirring. Pour the mixture into your blender or food processor. Blend on high until smooth.
- Strain the sauce through cheesecloth (optional, but I like the texture better). If necessary, thin the sauce with more orange juice, a teaspoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.
Cook the Chicken & Broccoli
- Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch.
- Add the ghee to a large skillet over high heat, and add in the chicken. Allow to cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes or until mostly cooked through.
- Add the sauce to the pan, bring to a simmer, and allow the chicken to cook in the sauce over medium heat for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- In a separate skillet, steam the broccoli over medium heat for 5-6 minutes or until bright green (careful not to overcook it).
- Serve by plating the chicken and broccoli, then top each serving with green onions and sesame seeds.
