Healthy Orange Chicken is one of those recipes you want in your back pocket for days when you need something on the table fast and you’d prefer it to be healthy, satisfying and totally delicious. This easy dish is a Panda Express copycat recipe with crispy chicken in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. My version tastes just as good as the restaurant version, but is healthier and so simple to make at home!

Orange chicken served with white rice.

With this healthy orange chicken recipe, you’ll be enjoying Chinese takeout in the comfort of your own home with no deep frying required. If you love the taste of Panda Express Orange Chicken with that delicious orange chicken sauce, you are in for a real treat!

I set out to make a copycat recipe that is easy and a bit healthier, but also rivals my favorite restaurant version. We’re using lean chicken breast, less oil and less sugar, but this dish still turned out incredible! Honestly, it’s one of the best meals I’ve had in long time. Once I started eating, I absolutely could not stop!

Make this better-than-takeout recipe for the perfect weeknight dinner that can be ready in just 30 minutes!

Made this for my husband one night and needless to say it’s on the menu again this week. Thank you, it was very easy and most of all delicious!!

— Alisha

Everything we love about this recipe

  • Easy. All you have to do is coat the chicken in cornstarch, make the sauce, and then cook everything in one skillet! It’s incredibly simple to throw together.
  • Versatile. Serve this alone, with vegetables or (my personal favorite) over a steaming pile of white or brown rice. So good!
  • Family-friendly. All ages LOVE this Asian recipe. Kids and adults always come back for seconds!
  • Better than the original. Move over Panda Express! We’ve slashed the calories by more than half and amped up the flavor by making this our own. It’s delicious!

Ingredients needed

This is just a general list of the ingredients you need for this orange chicken recipe. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements.

Bowls with chicken, soy sauce, cornstarch, brown sugar, eggs and green onions.
  • Eggs. Two beaten eggs coat the chicken and help it fry up extra crispy.
  • Cornstarch. There is no flour needed in this recipe. The cornstarch gives the chicken a nice crispy outside layer and helps the sauce thicken as it cooks.
  • Salt & pepper. A 1/2 tsp of both salt and pepper is added to the coating of the chicken for maximum flavor.
  • Chicken breasts. Four boneless skinless chicken breasts are needed for this recipe. This cut of meat is lean and I usually have it on hand.
  • Low-sodium soy sauce. Provides a salty, sweet, umami (savory), and even a slight bitter flavor that’s classic in this dish.
  • Brown sugar. A small amount to sweeten the orange sauce.
  • White vinegar. Adds acidity to the sauce and gives it a zing of flavor.
  • Orange juice + zest. For that classic orange flavor, you’ll need fresh orange juice and zest from fresh oranges.
  • Garlic. Adds delicious aromatic flavor to the orange chicken.
  • Oil. For cooking the chicken. We like to use either olive oil or avocado oil for this recipe. Canola oil or vegetable oil may also be used.
  • Green onions. Optional to garnish for freshness and color. You could also add a sprinkle of sesame seeds over the top for extra texture.

Variations and substitutions

  • Chicken: Boneless skinless chicken thighs would be a great substitute for the chicken breast.
  • Soy sauce substitute: Coconut aminos or tamari are great substitutes for soy sauce whenever you are wanting to keep a recipe gluten-free and low in sodium.
  • Sugar: Instead of the brown sugar, you could use a few tablespoons of maple syrup or honey. Keep in mind that this may change the flavor a bit. You could also sub with coconut sugar.
  • Vinegar: Rice vinegar is a great substitute for white vinegar in this recipe.

How to make this recipe

Making this easy orange chicken recipe at home is not only healthier than takeout, it’s also way faster than waiting for delivery. This meal comes together super quick! Here’s the simple method:

Coating chicken in an egg and cornstarch mixture.

Step 1: Coat the chicken. In a medium bowl, combine eggs, cornstarch and salt & pepper. Mix well. Add the bite-size pieces of chicken and toss until each piece is fully coated. Set aside.

Whisking together soy sauce with garlic and orange juice and zest in a medium bowl.

Step 2: Make the sauce. In a separate medium bowl, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, white or rice vinegar, the zest and juice of 1 orange, minced garlic and tablespoon of cornstarch. Whisk until the cornstarch has dissolved.

Cooking small pieces of chicken in a skillet.

Step 3: Cook the chicken. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer (do this in multiple batches, if needed) and fry for 2 minutes per side, or until browned. Transfer the chicken to a paper towel lined plate and cover.

Cooking chicken and sauce in a large pan.

Step 4: Add the sauce. When all of the chicken is cooked, add it back to the pan along with the orange sauce mixture. Simmer over medium heat until the chicken pieces are fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Serve immediately over rice! Top with green onions and orange zest. If you like a bit of spice, add a dash of red pepper flakes. Enjoy!

Serving suggestions

We love this easy orange chicken served over a bed of steamed rice. You can use any rice you have available. You could even use cauliflower rice for a low carb option. This dish is also delicious served over noodles, on a bed of steamed broccoli, or with stir fry veggies. The options are endless!

Oven baked instructions

Another way to make this recipe lighter and lower in fat and calories is to make it in your oven. Spread the breaded chicken on a large, greased baking sheet. Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes, or until done. Then broil (watch very carefully) for another 2-3 minutes to brown the chicken. Prepare the the sauce in a skillet and add the baked chicken to coat in sauce.

Saucy chicken with white rice and garnished with green onion.

Frequently asked questions

Is orange chicken a traditional Chinese recipe?

No, this dish is not traditionally found in China. It is a popular meal to order at Chinese restaurants in North America, but it is most definitely not an authentic recipe. Supposedly, it was invented by the popular restaurant chain Panda Express which serves up pseudo-Chinese food for an American palate and is in no way authentic Chinese cuisine.

What is the difference between General Tao chicken and orange chicken?

These two dishes are very similar. Both involve chicken that is breaded and fried and coated in a sauce. However, General Tso chicken has a spicy red sauce that is chili based, while orange chicken has a sweeter tangy orange-based sauce. General Tso’s chicken is actually the most popular take out dish in America according to NBC news and GrubHub. Orange chicken is #8 on the list.

Is orange chicken healthy?

Orange chicken is not typically considered healthy because the restaurant version is deep-fried and the sauce contains quite a bit of sugar. We’re making it healthier by using low-sodium soy sauce, decreasing the amount of brown sugar, and reducing the amount of oil. You could reduce the sugar and oil further but your sauce will not be as sweet and the chicken may not get the crispy crust that is so good.

Storage & reheating instructions

Copycat takeout orange chicken is best eaten fresh. However, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in an oven-safe baking dish, in an oven preheated to 350 degrees until warmed through. You can also reheat it in a skillet on the stove or in an air fryer. The chicken won’t stay crispy in the microwave.

This dish may be frozen for up to 6 months in a freezer-safe bag or container. If you freeze the chicken with the sauce, the best way to reheat it is in the oven.

Orange chicken in a white bowl with rice.

More easy dinner recipes to try

If you try this, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.

Orange chicken served with white rice.
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Healthy Orange Chicken

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
This is one of those recipes you want in your back pocket for days when you need something on the table fast and you’d prefer it to be healthy, satisfying, and pretty if at all possible. Easy, healthy Orange Chicken to the rescue!
Author: Kim

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons white or rice vinegar
  • 1 medium orange, juiced and zested
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1/4 cup sliced green onions for garnish, optional
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest for garnish, optional

Instructions 

  • In a medium bowl, combine the egg, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, salt and pepper. Mix well. Add the chicken and toss until each piece is fully coated. Set aside.
  • In a separate medium bowl, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, orange juice and zest, garlic and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Whisk until cornstarch has dissolved.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer (do this in multiple batches, if needed) and cook for 2 minutes per side, or until browned. Transfer the chicken to a paper towel lined plate and cover.
  • Once all of the chicken is cooked, add it back to the skillet, along with the orange sauce. Cook over medium heat until the chicken pieces are fully cooked through, 5-7 minutes.
  • Serve immediately over white rice. Top with green onions and orange zest.

Notes

  • Oven directions: Spread the prepared chicken on a large, greased baking sheet. Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes, or until done. Then broil (watch very carefully) for another 2-3 minutes to brown the chicken. Prepare the the sauce in a skillet and add the baked chicken to coat in sauce.
  • To make healthier: Use low-sodium soy sauce. Decrease the amount of brown sugar by half. Reduce the amount of oil you use by half, although you may not achieve perfectly crispy chicken if you go this route.
  • Storage Instructions: Orange chicken will keep for up to 5 days in the fridge. It is best reheated in the oven, in a skillet on the stove or in the air fryer. The texture will not be as nice if it is microwaved. It may be frozen for up to 6 months. If you freeze it with the sauce added to the chicken, the best way to reheat it is in the oven.
photos by sierra ashleigh photography
Author: Kim
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 391kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 29g, Fat: 19g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 12g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 165mg, Sodium: 1273mg, Potassium: 542mg, Fiber: 0.3g, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 200IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 40mg, Iron: 1mg

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