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Tangy Orange Sesame Chicken


  • Author: Emily
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This homemade version of orange chicken is crispy, flavorful, and coated in a vibrant, tangy-sweet sauce with fresh orange juice, sesame, garlic, and ginger. A healthier, better-than-takeout dinner ready in under an hour.


Ingredients

Scale

Chicken:

  • 1 ½ pounds boneless chicken breasts, cubed

  • 1 egg white

  • 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon orange zest

  • Black pepper to taste

  • ⅓ cup cornstarch

  • ⅓ cup avocado oil

Orange Sauce:

  • ⅓ cup low sodium chicken broth

  • 1 cup fresh orange juice

  • 2 tablespoons orange zest

  • ⅓ cup tamari or soy sauce

  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar

  • 3 tablespoons honey

  • 4 garlic cloves, grated

  • 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger

  • ¾ teaspoon chili flakes

  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

Garnish:

  • Chopped green onions

  • Additional sesame seeds


Instructions

  • In a bowl, mix chicken, egg white, soy sauce, orange zest, and pepper. Let sit for 10–15 minutes.

  • Place cornstarch in a shallow dish. Dredge chicken pieces until evenly coated.

  • In a separate bowl or jar, combine chicken broth, orange juice, zest, tamari, vinegar, and honey. Set aside.

  • Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken in batches until golden and crisp. Set aside.

  • Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic, ginger, and chili flakes to the skillet and cook for 1–2 minutes until aromatic.

  • Add the prepared sauce. Bring to a boil and simmer for 3–4 minutes.

  • Return chicken to the pan and toss to coat. Simmer for another 4–5 minutes until sauce thickens.

 

  • Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot over steamed rice.

Notes

  • Fresh orange juice and zest make all the difference in flavor.

  • Adjust chili flakes based on your heat preference.

 

  • You can double the sauce if serving with extra rice or noodles.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stir-fry
  • Cuisine: Chinese-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 425
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 680mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 34g