Healthy Orange Chicken
User Reviews
4.8
Healthy Orange Chicken
Description
The chicken is marinated briefly in a mixture of orange juice, baking soda, soy sauce, black pepper, cornstarch, garlic, and ginger to tenderize and infuse flavor. Separately, an orange sauce is prepared blending fresh orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce, cornstarch for thickening, orange zest, garlic, ginger, red chili flakes, brown sugar, and salt to create a complex sweet and zesty base.
The chicken is cooked in heated oil until done, then the sauce is stirred in and cooked uncovered until syrupy and glossy. Sesame seeds and green onions are added at the end to enhance aroma and texture. The finished dish is served hot alongside cooked rice and steamed broccoli, combining savory, sweet, and aromatic elements.
Marinating the chicken ensures tender pieces, and the cornstarch helps the sauce cling well. Optional chili garlic sauce adds mild heat, which can be omitted for a milder dish. This recipe makes a balanced meal for four servings.
Ingredients
To marinate the chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- salt to taste
- 2 tbsp orange juice fresh
- 1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp black pepper ground
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp garlic minced
- 1 tsp ginger minced
To make Orange Sauce
- 1/3 cup orange juice fresh
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1 1/2 tbsp Chili garlic sauce optional
- 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tsp orange zest
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ginger minced
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- salt to taste
- 1 tbsp neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp green onion chopped
- 1 cup rice cooked, to serve
- 1/2 cup broccoli steamed, to serve
Instructions
- In a medium-size bowl combine all the ingredients under the “to marinate chicken” section and mix it thoroughly and marinate the chicken for at least 10 minutes.
- In a separate bowl combine orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar, chili garlic sauce, cornstarch, orange zest, garlic, ginger, red chili flakes, brown sugar, and salt. Whisk it until the sugar dissolves and keep the sauce mixture aside.
- Heat a wide skillet; add oil and once the oil is heated add the marinated chicken pieces to it.
- Cook on a medium flame for 4-5 minutes and flip the chicken pieces to the next side and cook for 5-6 more minutes until the chicken is cooked perfectly.
- Stir in the prepared sauce mixture to the skillet and cook the chicken along with the sauce uncovered for 5 minutes.
- The sauce will start to thicken and everything comes together. In this stage add the sesame seeds and green onions.
- Serve the orange chicken along with rice and veggies.
Notes
- Nutrition information covers one-quarter of the dish without including rice or broccoli.
- Marinate chicken for at least 10 minutes to achieve tenderness before cooking.
- Adjust chili garlic sauce quantities to suit preferred spice levels or omit for none.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 257 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 257kcal | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 19g | 6% |
| Protein | 26g | 52% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 73mg | 24% |
| Sodium | 1219mg | 51% |
| Potassium | 562mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 13g | 26% |
| Vitamin A | 204IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 19mg | 21% |
| Calcium | 52mg | 5% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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