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Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 128 reviews

A healthy and flavorful orange chicken recipe featuring tender, boneless chicken breasts simmered in a tangy homemade orange sauce, served over steamed vegetables and rice. This dish balances sweetness, citrus zest, and light spices, making it a nutritious take on a classic favorite with options for stovetop or Instant Pot cooking.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Vegetables

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 4 cups steamed broccoli or green beans
  • 2 cups cooked rice

Oils

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

Sauce

  • 2 cups orange juice
  • 1/4 cup coconut aminos
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1/2 tablespoon orange zest

Instant Pot Additional Ingredients

  • 3 teaspoons cornstarch or arrowroot powder
  • 1/4 cup chicken stock

Instructions

  1. Prepare vegetables and rice: Cook green beans (or broccoli) and rice according to package directions until tender and set aside.
  2. Cook chicken on stovetop: In a large sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until edges are browned and slightly crispy, and chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
  3. Make the sauce: While chicken cooks, combine orange juice, coconut aminos, honey, garlic powder, black pepper, grated ginger, and orange zest in a bowl. Pour this sauce mixture into the same pan used for the chicken.
  4. Thicken sauce: Bring sauce to a boil and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently until thickened. You’ll notice the sauce pulls away from the pan when scraped with a spatula and should be bubbling constantly.
  5. Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the sauce. Stir well to coat all pieces evenly.
  6. Serve: Serve the orange chicken hot over steamed vegetables and rice for a balanced meal.
  7. Instant Pot version – Prep sauce: For Instant Pot, halve the sauce ingredients (except chicken stock). Mix orange juice, coconut aminos, honey, garlic powder, grated ginger, orange zest, and black pepper in a bowl and set aside.
  8. Instant Pot sear chicken: Turn Instant Pot to sauté on high. Add 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil and heat until hot. Trim and pat dry chicken breasts, then sear 2 breasts at a time for 2 minutes per side until golden but not fully cooked. Remove and dice into 1-inch pieces.
  9. Instant Pot cook chicken with sauce: Place diced chicken back into the Instant Pot. Pour in sauce mixture and add 1/4 cup chicken stock. Seal the lid, set vent to sealing, and pressure cook on Manual High for 3 minutes. Allow 3-5 minutes for pressure build-up.
  10. Instant Pot release pressure: Quick release steam carefully using a towel or pot holder to avoid burns. Open the lid once pressure is fully released.
  11. Thicken sauce Instant Pot: Remove chicken with slotted spoon. Mix chicken broth with cornstarch into a slurry. Turn Instant Pot to sauté on high and bring sauce to boil. Whisk in slurry and cook for 7-9 minutes until thick and glossy.
  12. Finish dish Instant Pot: Return chicken to thickened sauce, stir to combine. Use Keep Warm setting until ready to serve.
  13. Serving suggestion Instant Pot: Serve hot over steamed broccoli, green beans, or alongside rice or quinoa for a paleo-friendly, balanced meal.

Notes

  • You can use either broccoli or green beans as the vegetable component depending on preference.
  • Half the sauce ingredients if using the Instant Pot method, except for chicken stock which is added fresh.
  • Be careful when quick-releasing steam from Instant Pot to avoid burns; use towel or pot holder.
  • If you want a thicker sauce on stovetop, allow more simmering time but avoid burning or over-reducing.
  • This recipe offers a healthier alternative by using coconut aminos instead of soy sauce and minimal oil.
  • Adjust honey for sweetness based on personal taste and dietary needs.

Keywords: healthy orange chicken, easy orange chicken recipe, stovetop chicken recipes, gluten-free orange chicken, paleo orange chicken, healthy chicken dinner

Find it online: https://heutigemahlzeiten.com/healthy-orange-chicken-recipe/