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Healthier Orange Chicken

This Healthier Orange Chicken recipe is sweet, slightly spicy, packed with veggies, and has all the flavor of take-out versions without all of the oil.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Author: Maggie @ Cupcakes and Sarcasm

Ingredients

For the Orange Sauce:

  • 1 Cup Fresh Orange Juice (was 2 large oranges for me)
  • Zest of 2 Large Oranges (reserve 1 tbsp for topping)
  • 1/4 Cup Low-Sodium Soy Sauce
  • 1/2 Tbsp Rice Wine Vinegar
  • 1/2 Tbsp Sesame Seed Oil
  • 1 Tbsp Hoisin
  • 1 Tsp Fresh Ginger, grated
  • 3 Large Garlic Cloves, minced
  • 3 Tbsp Light Brown Sugar
  • 2 Tbsp Cornstarch (mixed seperately with 2 tbsp water)
  • 1 Tbsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes Add more for more heat

Other:

  • 2 Large Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 Tbsp Olive Oil, divided
  • 2 Tbsp Cornstarch
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 3 Cups Broccoli Florets
  • 1 Large Red Bell Pepper, diced
  • 1 Sweet Onion, diced
  • Optional Toppings: Sesame Seeds, Sliced Green Onions

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the sauce ingredients (reserving 1 tbsp of orange zest for the end). Set aside.
  • In a medium-sized skillet, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli, red bell pepper, and onion. Cook the veggies for a minute or two, then turn the heat to medium-low and cover with a lid. Let the veggies finish cooking while you cook the chicken and sauce. You want the veggies to be tender-crisp.
  • Combine the chicken pieces with 2 tbsp of cornstarch and stir until all of the pieces are coated. Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the chicken and season with a little salt and pepper.
  • Let the chicken cook for a couple of undisturbed minutes before stirring. You want the chicken to crisp up and brown while cooking through.
  • Once the chicken is cooked, remove to a plate. Lower the heat to medium and add the sauce to the skillet. Let the sauce bubble and cook for a minute or two. It should thicken up a little as well.
  • Now add the chicken and the veggies back to the skillet and toss them in the sauce until coated.
  • Serve over white rice and top with sesame seeds, some of the reserved orange zest, and sliced green onions. Enjoy!