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    Home » Dinners » Easy Orange Chicken

    Easy Orange Chicken

    Published: Dec 30, 2019 · Modified: Jan 7, 2020 by Kate · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Easy Orange Chicken is made in less than 20 minutes on the stove (no deep frying necessary!). This easy orange chicken recipe is the best quick  and easy take-out.

    Easy orange chicken topped with sesame seeds and green onions

    The orange chicken from Panda Express is one of my kids' favorite takeout dinners. So I wanted to make an easy homemade version and partnered with Perdue Farms to create this recipe.

    This quick and easy orange chicken recipe takes about 20 minutes to make. I streamlined the recipe and skipped all of the messy, time-consuming breading and frying steps.

    Instead, this orange chicken gets a quick turn on the stove to cook it. Then, the sauce is reduced and thickened and the chicken is tossed in the sauce.

    This keeps the recipe quick and also means that it's healthier than the fried version. So the recipe has super flavor but is easy enough for a fast weeknight dinner!

    How To Make Easy Orange Chicken

    Orange chicken sauce in a white mixing bowl

    In a medium bowl, whisk the orange juice, tomato sauce, frozen orange juice concentrate, orange marmalade, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and chili garlic sauce. Set aside.

    Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the avocado oil and cook chicken until cooked through. Remove to a plate and keep warm.

    Reduced orange chicken sauce in a silver saucepan

    Add the sauce to the now-empty skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until reduced to about ½ cup.

    Stir together the cornstarch and water. Add into the sauce and cook until slightly thickened, about 1-2 minutes.

    Cooked orange chicken in sauce in a silver saucepan

    Return the chicken to the skillet and toss with sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if desired.

    Silver spoon with a scoop of orange chickenTips For Making Orange Chicken

      • Chicken: I like to use Perdue Harvestland diced chicken. I'm a big fan of Perdue chicken, and the pre-diced Harvestland chicken is cage-free chicken that's fed a vegetarian diet. And since it's pre-diced, it makes this recipe that much faster and easier. To order Perdue Harvestland chicken (and get 15% off and FREE diced chicken breast), click here.
      • Sauce: Feel free to adjust the sweetness and heat to taste. We like the sauce to be similar to Panda Express orange chicken. If you like the sauce less sweet, you can use less brown sugar. If you like more heat, increase the chili sauce or add red pepper flakes.
      • Oil: I like to use avocado oil, but any neutral oil with a high smoke point will work.
      • Serving: Orange chicken can be served over steamed white or brown rice. For a lower-carb option, serve the orange chicken with steamed vegetables like steamed broccoli. Also, feel free to sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions just before serving.

    Overhead photo of orange chicken on a bed of white rice

    More Easy Chicken Recipes!

    • Chicken Spaghetti
    • Chicken Noodle Soup
    • Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan
    • Honey Garlic Chicken

    If you’ve tried this easy orange chicken recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who've made my recipes!

    You can SUBSCRIBE to receive my latest recipe newsletters or FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for even more delicious food.

    Easy orange chicken topped with sesame seeds and green onions

    Easy Orange Chicken Recipe

    Quick and easy orange chicken recipe
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Chinese
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes
    Total Time: 18 minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 247kcal
    Author: Kate @ I Heart Eating

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup fresh orange juice
    • ½ cup tomato sauce
    • 6 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate
    • ¼ cup orange marmalade
    • ¼ cup brown sugar packed1
    • 2 tablespoons lite soy sauce
    • 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce2
    • 1 clove garlic minced,
    • ¼ teaspoon fresh grated ginger
    • 2 tablespoons avocado oil3
    • 2 pounds Perdue Harvestland diced chicken breast thawed
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • 1 tablespoon lukewarm water

    Instructions

    • In a medium bowl, stir fresh orange juice, tomato sauce, orange juice concentrate, orange marmalade, brown sugar, soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, garlic, and ginger together until combined. Set aside.
    • Heat a large, heavy skillet over medium heat.
    • Add the avocado oil and carefully swirl around the pan.
    • Stir in the diced chicken breast, and cook through, stirring regularly. Chicken should reach a temperature of 165F.
    • Remove chicken to a plate and tent with aluminum foil to keep warm.
    • Add the sauce to the now-empty skillet.
    • Cook, stirring the entire time, until the sauce has reduced to about ½ cup. Reduce the heat if necessary.
    • In a small bowl, stir the cornstarch and water together.
    • Stir into the sauce and cook for about 1-2 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
    • Stir the cooked chicken back into the sauce and toss to coat in sauce.

    Notes

    1. For a more savory sauce, don't pack the brown sugar or reduce to taste. 
    2. For a spicier sauce, use more to taste. If you prefer even more heat, use red pepper flakes to taste. 
    3. Or another neutral oil with a high smoke point
    4. Nutrition values are estimates. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 247kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 502mg | Potassium: 595mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 173IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Rate it below. Mention @i_heart_eating on Instagram & tag #ihearteating!
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    About Kate

    Kate got her first cookbook when she was five years old, and she hasn't stopped cooking since then! Her delicious recipes have been featured on Food Network, MSN, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, and more. When she's not cooking or baking, she can be found on her mini farm with her husband and her five kids.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Christine

      April 12, 2020 at 6:54 pm

      Awesome loved it.

      Reply
      • Kate

        April 13, 2020 at 9:23 am

        That's great! Thank you!

        Reply
    2. Steph

      February 09, 2020 at 10:04 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for sharing! I made alot of orange chicken recipes and this one was bomb!

      Reply
      • Kate

        February 09, 2020 at 10:08 pm

        You're very welcome. I'm glad you liked it! =)

        Reply

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    I’m Kate Dean- mom to five young kids, recipe developer, and photographer. Here at I Heart Eating®, I share my family’s favorite tried-and-true recipes.

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