Easy Orange Chicken
If you love the sweet, tangy flavor of classic takeout, this Easy Orange Chicken recipe is about to become a weeknight favorite. Baked, shredded chicken is tossed in a sticky orange sauce made with fresh orange juice, garlic, and ginger for the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Made with real food ingredients, and loaded with nutrients that your body loves.
The best part? This orange chicken comes together in about 30 minutes, making it a quick dinner that tastes just like your favorite restaurant version — but fresher and healthier.
Serve it over rice or with steamed vegetables for a simple homemade meal your whole family will love.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Orange Chicken
There are so many reasons this orange chicken recipe stands out:
- Faster than takeout – ready in about 30 minutes
- Simple ingredients you likely already have
- Sweet, sticky, and flavorful orange sauce
- Perfect for busy weeknight dinners
Once you try this recipe, you’ll skip the takeout menu and make it yourself instead.
How to Make Easy Orange Chicken
1. Prepare the chicken
Bake the chicken in a preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Shred using two forks once baked.
2. Prepare the Sauce and toss with the chicken
Warm sauce ingredients over medium heat. Add shredded chicken and toss to coat.
Easy Orange Chicken
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Baking dish
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic , minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger , minced
- 1 teaspoon orange zest , zest from one orange
- 1/4 cup orange juice , juice from one orange
- 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup coconut aminos
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot starch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/3 cup honey
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Toss chicken breast with olive oil and salt and pepper in a baking dish until evenly coated.
- Place chicken in preheated oven and bake for roughly 25 minutes, until chicken reaches 165 degrees.
- As chicken is baking, prepare the sauce.
- Add sesame oil to a large pan and warm over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and ginger to pan and saute for a minute.
- Add coconut aminos, orange zest, orange juice, tomato paste, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to the pan. Whisk ingredients well in the pan and continue to warm through.
- In a small bowl, add arrowroot starch and water. Whisk until mixed through. Once sauce is warmed add arrowroot mixture to the pan. Turn heat to medium high and allow sauce to come to a simmer. Sauce will begin to thicken once simmering. Turn off heat and give it a good stir.
- Add honey to sauce, and mix well.
- Once chicken is cooked. Remove from oven. Shred chicken using two forks and add to the pan. Toss chicken with sauce until evenly coated.
- Serve chicken while hot over rice, cauliflower rice or even in lettuce cups. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onion.
Notes
Tips for the Best Easy Orange Chicken
A few simple tips will help your orange chicken turn out perfect every time.
Use fresh orange juice
Fresh juice gives the sauce a bright, natural flavor.
Use fresh garlic and ginger.
BIG flavor and nutrients.
Don’t skip the orange zest
It adds intense citrus flavor that really makes the sauce pop.
What to Serve With Easy Orange Chicken
This easy orange chicken pairs perfectly with simple sides.
Try serving it with:
- steamed jasmine rice
- brown rice
- fried rice
- stir-fried vegetables
- broccoli or snap peas
You can also serve it in lettuce wraps for a lighter option.
How to Store and Reheat
Leftover easy orange chicken stores well and makes a great next-day lunch.
Refrigerator:
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat:
Warm gently in a skillet or microwave until heated through.
If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water or orange juice.
Easy Orange Chicken Variations
Once you master this easy orange chicken recipe, you can easily customize it.
Try these variations:
- Spicy Orange Chicken – add chili flakes or sriracha
- Air Fryer Orange Chicken – air fry the chicken pieces instead of frying
- Healthy Orange Chicken – bake the chicken instead of frying
- Orange Chicken with Vegetables – toss in bell peppers or broccoli
Looking for more easy weeknight dinners? Try a few of our other favorites:
