Easy Chinese take-out made right at home! This Gluten-Free Orange Chicken recipe is not only soy-free, but top-8 allergy-free, quick to make, & a whole lot healthier! With a sticky, sweet, & spicy homemade orange sauce, this remake on the classic take-out will be a new favorite dinner option (with killer leftovers!)
Why is orange chicken SO good? It will always rank as one of my top favorites, rivaling this one. There is something so delicious about that sweet sticky sauce with just a hint of spice that makes this orange chicken so good. The classic Chinese take-out orange chicken is typically deep-fried, loaded with sugar, salt, fat, gluten, soy, eggs, nuts…it needed to be remade, don’t you think?
When it comes to a good orange chicken, it is ALL about the sauce. It should be of such a caliber that you just want to bottle it up and pour it on any and everything! Anytime you have a sauce that requires some sort of fruit, PLEASE use real fruit. None of this “concentrate” or sugary fake substitutes. Grab some orange globes of sweet zesty wonder, slice them in half, and get squeezing! Okay, you can buy a 100% all natural straight-up orange juice, but buying some oranges is much cheaper.
Fresh is best and if we’re going with homemade take-out anyway, might as well use the best of the best! Pro tip: When it comes to squeezing citrus, I am SO glad I got a citrus squeezer a few years ago from Amazon. There are specific sized ones from limes, lemons, and oranges, but I just use my “regular sized” lemon one for everything. No more juice ALL over you hands (or rouge seeds falling into your sauce!)
The other perk, or benefit, or using real deal whole oranges is the zest! Another great Amazon buy for any cook. A microplane zester for all your citrus zesty needs! That’s where the deep skin oils of the fruit, with that deep “popping” zesty flavor get to shine. Plus, it’s kind of pretty to garnish a dish with the fruit zest! Presentation is key (and so is flavor!)
Now that I’ve convinced you to use real oranges for this gluten-free orange chicken, who’s ready for some healthy take-out that doesn’t sacrifice ANY of the flavor and deliciousness of your favorite local Chinese joint? Whip up some white rice, get out some chop sticks, and enjoy this meal on a Friday night with some good movies, a Chinese-food-loving friend, and the knowledge that you won’t get that post take-out bloat, sluggishness, or inevitable hunger that comes an hour after you eat!
Gluten-Free Orange Chicken
- 1.5 lbs Skinless Chicken Tenders (cubed)
- ¼ Tsp Black Pepper
- 1 TB Neutral Oil
- 2 TB Corn Starch
- Orange Sauce:
- ¾ Cup 100% Orange Juice
- Zest of 1 Orange
- ¼ Cup Coconut Aminos
- 2 TB Rice Vinegar
- 1 TB Brown Sugar
- 2 Tsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Tsp Chili Paste
- 1 Tsp Minced Garlic
- ½ Tsp Pureed Ginger
- ¼ Cup Chopped Scallions
- 1 TB Sesame Seeds
- In a bowl, mix together the orange sauce ingredients, adding the scallions and sesame seeds last and set aside.
- Cube the chicken tenders and toss with the black pepper and 1 tablespoon of the corn starch.
- Heat the 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and then add the tossed chicken.
- Stir-fry the chicken for about 7 minutes before adding the prepared orange sauce and last 1 tablespoon of corn starch.
- Stir-fry for another 7-8 minutes until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Serve the orange chicken over white rice and garnish with additional chopped scallions, sesame seeds, and orange zest, if desired.
I told you guys, “take-in” is the new “take-out”! Even if you don’t have food allergies or celiac disease, making homemade Chinese take-out is so refreshing and delicious! The method for making these take-out chicken dishes is the same and once you get the hang of it, it becomes SO easy and quick! Sticky, sweet, orange chicken awaits you, my gluten-free friends! Get up!
So tell me:
+ Choose one: Orange, Lime, or Lemon?
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We all love chicken so much and orange chicken surely brings out the flavor!
One of the best takeout dishes!
I’m always on the look out for new recipes to try out on the children and I think this could be a winner!
Everyone LOVES orange chicken!
This looks so yummy, I have bookmarked it and shall give it a go X
This food item looks delicious and healthy. I will try to make this recipe in my home. thank you for shear delicious food recipe making tips.
Awesome, enjoy!
Hi, the reminds me of the orange chicken that you could get at the Cheese Cake Factory which I couldn’t have. I wish that I had the ingredients to try it for dinner, never mind I shall add the ingredients that I need to my next shopping list
Awesome, well I know you’ll enjoy!
We’re a big fan of orange chicken in this house! We’ll have to give your recipe a try!
Right? Always a winner!
This looks so good!! Sesame seed chicken is one of my favorites and I was just trying to figure out how to make it healthier. Excited to try this recipe.
Angela
This is not sesame chicken.
This looks delicious! Love that you used real orange!
Thanks 🙂
This sounds so yummy! Now that I’m reading your post in the morning, Is it bad that I want it for breakfast? Ha!
Never a wrong time for good eats 😉
Oh my word, this sauce sounds amazing! Sweet and spicy together is the best.
Best of both words to the taste buds!
This looks so yummy, I really wanted Orange Chicken the other day, but only had the ingredients for Sweet and Sour, I can’t wait to try yours!!!
Haha, sweet and sour is so good too 😉
This looks so good!!!
Thanks!
This looks so amazing! I won’t lie and say I’d use real fruit (haha), but I definitely plan to give this a try.
Fresh 100% orange juice is A-OK!
My mouth is literally watering. Oh my. I need to try this and am going to send this recipe to my sister.
Nothing beats some homemade takeout!
Orange Chicken is an all-time fave of mine as well—and I agree: real zest and juice from an actual ORANGE is so much better! This made-over dish looks amazeballs—I can’t wait to try it!
The real orange is where ALL the good sweet tangy flavor is 😉
This looks so good! I love a quick easy dinner idea.
Me too 😉
This looks so delicious! Can’t wait to try it 😀
Vanessa recently posted…3 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Essential Oils
I hope you enjoy!
This looks BOMB. I’ve made homemade Chinese take out before, so I’ll have to try this recipe! Great job.
It’s the best way to enjoy it!
This recipe looks great! I’ve made mine with potato starch and it worked pretty good. I’m
curious to see how it turns out with corn starch 😊
Lol, seriously?
LOVE orange chicken! This looks so much better than any takeout.
Fresh and delicious! You get to know just what’s in there 😉
My family loves take out and orange chicken is always one of our favorites! I’m adding this to my meal plan because it sounds so delicious!
Awesome! Then I know you’ll love it homemade!
I will definitely have to try this. Great idea to use fresh fruit juice. Thank you for sharing.
Fresh is best! Thanks!
Love Orange Chicken! What a great idea to have a gluten free version for guests!
It is one of THE best!
This looks very delicious, something I need to try out. Thanks for sharing this amazing dish.
Thanks! I know you’ll enjoy!