Better Than Take Out Healthy Orange Chicken (paleo)

Better Than Take Out Healthy Orange Chicken made with all paleo, gluten-free and whole30-friendly ingredients. Such an easy weeknight dish to make for the family.

This recipe has beyond exceeded my expectations guys.

When I first made this, Ezra’s nanny walked in the door with him and was immediately asking me what was making our kitchen smell so good. I showed her this orange chicken in the pan and she told me it looked just like the one from the restaurant. *Huge* compliment if you ask me.

This is one of those dishes to make when you are craving Chinese food and want to try to make something a little healthier at home. Healthy orange chicken that is made with all paleo ingredients and it can easily be made Whole30. Plus it isn’t time consuming to make and can be done for a weeknight meal too. I love that the dish makes a solid amount of servings so we get more than one night from it. Usually it serves Jord, Ezra and I then there is enough for leftovers for 1 person the next day.

You can easily pair this with any sides you want. Roasted veggies like broccoli and sweet potatoes, fried rice or a basmati rice too is always a favorite. I made it with some Peanut Tahini Noodles last time and OMG – too good.

If you make this recipe, let me know what you think. I hope you love this as much as we do!!

What ingredients you need to make paleo Chinese orange chicken:

• Warm water
• Honey or maple syrup – or omit if whole30 – or use a date paste or syrup
• Orange juice – I squeeze from a fresh orange with my lemon squeezer
• Coconut aminos
• Ground ginger
• Garlic powder
• Sea salt and black pepper to taste
• Tapioca flour or arrowroot flour
• Orange zest
• Skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 inch pieces
• Eggs
• Avocado oil for greasing the pan

How to make gluten-free healthy orange chicken: 

1. In a medium saucepan, add the water, honey, orange juice, coconut aminos, ginger, garlic and sea salt and pepper and warm over medium heat for a few minutes, stirring to combine
2. Add in the tapioca flour and orange zest and bring to a low boil and stir then turn off heat and start making the chicken
3. In a medium shallow bowl, whisk together 2 eggs
4. In another shallow bowl, mix together the flour and sea salt and black pepper
5. Warm a large skillet with oil and dip the chicken into the egg mixture, allowing excess egg to drip off then dip into flour mixture and add to pan, repeat for as much chicken as you can fit in the pan at once and cook each piece for 3-4 minutes on each side on medium heat (add more oil as needed)
6. Repeat for remainder of the chicken then add to a paper towel lined plate so it absorbs any grease
7. Toss the chicken and sauce together in a large bowl or whip/clean the pan/skillet and toss in there to coat
8. Serve while warm with desired sides. We usually serve with cauliflower rice or basmati rice and any roasted veggies. Add scallions to garnish if desired.

A few other delicious healthy takeout inspired dishes:

Easy Whole30 Chinese Chicken and Broccoli

Insanely Good Basil Cashew Chicken Bowls (gluten-free)

Healthier Gluten-free Vegetarian Lo Mein

One-Skillet Whole30 Cauliflower Fried Rice