This Paleo Orange Chicken has so much flavor and is made in under 30 minutes! The perfect weeknight meal! Gluten free, dairy free, and lightly sweetened with orange juice.
This chicken is mildly sweet, a little spicy, and oh so good! I like using dark meat for this because it is harder to over cook, is more juicy, and is cheap. Is this exactly like the mall orange chicken? No, that stuff is loaded with sugar and deep fried! Is this super delicious and so much healthier? YES!!
If you're making it for kids, you may want to leave the red pepper out. On the other hand, if you like spice you can increase the red pepper and give it more of a kick.
This meal is not Whole30 because it has honey in it. You can try leaving it out or replacing it with date paste, but I haven't tried either yet. Although, next time I may try date paste- I think that would work great. (Update: most people like it with the honey omitted and that makes it Whole30)
Seriously, so good!!
The freshness from the orange, the sweetness from the honey, and the spice from the ginger and red pepper all work so well together. It is fantastic served over cauliflower rice- it makes it feel like the real thing! This is a great quick dinner that you will love! I know you will love this paleo orange chicken. Here are some more chicken dinners you'll love:
*Updated October 2019 with low FODMAP directions in the notes
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Paleo Orange Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken, cut into bite size pieces (dark meat works best)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 orange, zested and juiced
- ⅓ cup coconut aminos
- 1 inch ginger, peeled and grated (about 1-2 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons honey (omit for Whole30)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder can use fresh if you want
- 1-2 tablespoons tapioca starch
Instructions
- Sprinkle salt on chicken and stir to evenly coat.
- In a large skillet over medium high heat, add the sesame oil and chicken.
- Cook for about 5 minutes until mostly cooked through.
- While that is cooking, in a small bowl, combine orange zest and juice, coconut aminos, ginger, tomato paste, honey, red pepper, and garlic powder. Stir as best you can with a spoon.
- Pour over chicken and stir to evenly coat.
- Cook for 5-10 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked through.
- Add tapioca starch if you want the sauce thicker. Stir it in and cook for a couple minutes for it to thicken.
- Serve over cauliflower rice.
Heather says
Anything you would recommend to replace the sesame oil, tomato paste, & red pepper flakes to make this AIP compliant?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Heather- you can use a little fish sauce (1-2 teaspoons) and just leave it all out. I think it will still be delicious!
Shelby says
Can you use coconut flour to thicken instead of tapioca starch?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Shelby- no, that won't work. Coconut flour doesn't thicken like other flours. It's grainy and just not good.
Shannon says
I loved this dish. It was easy and super tasty. I did not thicken it with anything and I found that it was perfect.
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks for trying it, Shannon! I'm so glad you like it!
Katelyn Gambler says
SO SO GOOD. Made this once already and making it again tonight. Thanks for the great dish. xo
Jessica DeMay says
You're welcome! Thanks for trying it, Katelyn!
K Britt says
My family LOVES this dish! I love that it meets our dietary needs and is easy to make! I'd give it even more stars if I could!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, K! I'm so glad your family loves it!
Teri says
I made this for us tonight and it was very good. We will definitely add this to our new Paleo menu.
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks for trying it, Teri! So glad you like it!
Julie says
This is a 10 star dish. Kids loved it and it's now my daughter's favorite dish. I will probably make it every or every other week!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks for trying it and for the great feedback, Julie! I'm so glad your daughter loves it 🙂
Chelsea says
I made this sauce today witb cooked chicken and broccoli. Oh my goodness so good! We are on whole30 so I omitted honey. Both kids loved it and every bite! Thank you!!
Jessica DeMay says
You're welcome, Chelsea! Thanks for trying my recipe and for the great feedback! I'm so glad you kids liked it 🙂
Chelsea says
I think it'll be a staple for our lunches for the next couple weeks.
Jessica DeMay says
Wonderful! Thanks, Chelsea!
Dev says
Made this for dinner last night it was fabulous! Our household doesn't eat soy or gluten so we haven't had Asian food in a long time. So naturally it was very exciting to find this recipe and it turned out great. I will be omitting the honey next time I make it, the oranges provided plenty of sweet for my taste. Thank you!
Jessica DeMay says
You're welcome, Dev! Thank you for trying my recipe and for the great feedback! I think that's a great idea to leave out the honey next time 🙂
Debbie says
Made this tonight- 2 thumbs up! Thank you. 🙂
Jessica DeMay says
You're welcome, Debbie! Thanks for trying it and for the great feedback!
Marie says
This was great! Had to fight my son for the leftovers. ?
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Marie! I'm glad you and your son enjoyed it 🙂