At this time of year (Decemeber-March), it’s the peak season for citrus. Which means this is the perfect time to make this healthy orange chicken recipe! Oranges at this time of year are extra juicy, sweet, and flavorful! This recipe also has tons of options for whatever your personal goals are. You can serve the orange chicken on butter lettuce wraps, on a bed of white rice, or even fried rice!
what are coconut aminos?
This is my most commonly asked question on my blog. What are coconut aminos? Well, coconut aminos are a soy-free alternative to soy sauce. They have about 75% less sodium than regular soy sauce. They are made with the fermented sap of coconut palm, but they do not taste like coconuts.
Truthfully, they taste very similar to soy sauce, but they’re gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and refined sugar-free. As well paleo and whole 30 compliant. Coconut aminos are one of my favorite things to cook with to give a delicious, Asian-inspired teriyaki taste flavor with clean ingredients.
For more recipes using coconut aminos, click here.
Healthy Orange Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts trimmed and diced into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil divided
- 3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice ~about 3 medium-sized oranges
- zest of 1 medium-size orange
- 1/2 cup coconut aminos
- 3 tablespoons honey optional
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon arrowroot, tapioca flour, or cornstarch
Instructions
- Trim and dice the chicken breast into small pieces. Add about a tablespoon toasted sesame oil to a pan and let it come to high heat. Once hot, add the chicken in an even layer and don't flip until it's golden brown.
- While the chicken is cooking, make the sauce. Combine orange juice, orange zest, coconut aminos, honey, garlic, ginger, one tablespoon toasted sesame oil, and thickening starch to a bowl. Rapidly whisk until combined and no clumps from the starch.
- Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. Add the sauce to the pan and bring to a rolling simmer on medium to high heat. After a few minutes, a glaze should begin to form as the sauce thickens. Reduce the heat to a low simmer.
- Once the sauce turned into a glaze, add the chicken back in and mix until all pieces are coated. Serve the chicken in lettuce wraps, rice cooked in bone broth, or my easy fried rice recipe. Top with green onions, purple cabbage, carrots, or sesame seeds. Enjoy!