Fresh, vibrant and full of flavour - this healthy orange chicken is made with real orange juice for natural sweetness. Tender bites of chicken coated in a glossy, citrusy sauce make it the perfect quick weeknight dinner the whole family will ask for again and again. Best of all, it comes together in under 30 minutes, making it a wholesome option for busy evenings. Pair it with rice or steamed veggies for a balanced meal that's as satisfying as it is simple.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1 tbsp orange zest - from a microplane grater
- 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice - about 2 oranges
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos - or tamari/soy sauce to taste
- Optional: 1 teaspoon tapioca starch or cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
- Sea salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds to sprinkle over the top
Instructions:
- Start by prepping all the ingredients before you begin to cook.
- Place a large 9 to 10-inch cast-iron or non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil and the cut-up chicken.
- Saute, stirring only as the chicken browns for 3-4 minutes, or until just done. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and add the remaining tablespoon of avocado oil, toasted sesame oil, ginger, and garlic. Cook, stirring constantly to prevent browning, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Then add the orange zest, orange juice, and coconut aminos to the pan. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to maintain a brisk boil. The goal of this step is to reduce the sauce.
- When the sauce is thickened, for 8-10 minutes, add the chicken back to the pan. Or if you like a bit more sauce, you can add the optional thickener before the sauce thickens on its own, at about the 5-minute mark in the cooking time.
- Cook the chicken to warm and combine it with the sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Recipe courtesy of GET INSPIRED EVERYDAY!
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