Gluten Free Orange Chicken

This easy Gluten Free Orange Chicken is perfectly flavored and so good! This AIP/paleo recipe uses ground chicken which is tossed in a delightfully tangy and sweet orange sauce that comes together in 20 minutes for a quick and delicious meal.

Gluten Free Orange Chicken Recipe

Perhaps like many of you, back in the day I used to really love Panda Express orange chicken. It was a treat I’d get when travelling to the US and this recipe takes me back!

This paleo and AIP version of orange chicken uses ground chicken for a super quick and convenient meal. The sauce is sweet and tangy, just like the original, and is completely gluten free and soy free.

Unlike Panda Express Orange Chicken, this recipe doesn’t include a flour or egg coating and involves no frying. The ground chicken gets slightly crisp and is browned as is with garlic, ginger and orange zest before adding the sauce for more of that delicious orange flavor.

This dish is the perfect weeknight meal because it comes together in literally 20 minutes. You can prep the sides while the chicken cooks for the ultimate quick dinner.

Ingredients

• avocado oil – I prefer the milder flavor of avocado oil in this recipe, but olive oil would work too.
• ground chicken – or swap with ground turkey.
• fresh garlic
• fresh ginger – together with the garlic, these aromatics season the ground chicken before adding in the orange sauce
• fresh orange juice
• orange zest – this really amps up the flavor of the dish. You’ll want to ensure you only get the outermost layer of the orange and not the pith/white part or the dish will be very bitter!
• honey
• apple cider vinegar – together with the coconut aminos, these two create the acidity and tanginess that’s so characteristic of orange chicken sauce.
• coconut aminos – also adds an umami flavor in lieu of soy sauce or a gluten-free soy sauce.
• tapioca starch – the tapioca slurry thickens the sauce so that it coats the chicken perfectly!
• green onions – although optional, I highly recommend adding this garnish which brightens the finished dish so well.

How To Make Gluten Free Orange Chicken

Step 1. Make the Orange Sauce

Combine the orange juice, apple cider vinegar, coconut aminos and honey into a small bowl and set aside.

Step 2. Sauté the Aromatics

Heat oil on medium heat in a large skillet. Once hot, add the ginger and garlic and sauté until fragrant.

Step 3. Sauté the Ground Chicken

Next, add the ground chicken, salt, and orange zest. As the meat browns, stir frequently. I like to leave a few clumps of ground chicken together for some texture and to crisp up that way. This is so good once the sauce hits it!

Step 4. Add the Orange Sauce

Once the chicken is fully cooked, lower the heat slightly and add the orange sauce mixture.

Step 5. Thicken with Tapioca Slurry

Next up, combine tapioca starch and water. Once the pot is simmering, stir the slurry into the dish until the sauce begins to thicken.

Garnish with green onions, optional.

Step 6. Serve

Serve on top cauliflower rice, rice, or another carb of your choice and some broccoli for good measure!

Tips & Tricks

Zesting the Orange

Make sure you only get the outermost layer of the orange and not the pith/white part or the dish will be very bitter! Zest the orange/s before juicing them.

How to Serve

This pairs so well with rice (if you don’t need to be grain-free) or cauliflower rice, and steamed broccoli. You can prepare these sides quickly while the chicken cooks to have everything ready in under 30 minutes.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

• Fridge: Store this gluten-free orange chicken in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  I don’t recommend freezing this one.
• Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through.

Here are some other easy and quick AIP dinners you might enjoy:

• Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli with Mushrooms
• Japchae-inspired Sweet Potato Noodle Stir Fry
• Beef and Broccoli Rabe
• Chicken Noodle Stir Fry

If you try this easy paleo/AIP and Gluten Free Orange Chicken, I would love it if you would give it a star rating and short review. Also, be sure to snap a picture of the finished product and share it with me on Instagram by tagging @healmedelicious and using the hashtag #healmedelicious. 

Gluten Free Orange Chicken Recipe (AIP, paleo)

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 14 reviews

• Author: Nicole Charles
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 3 –4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This Gluten Free Orange Chicken is paleo and AIP and made with ground chicken tossed in a delightfully tangy and sweet orange sauce that comes together in 20 minutes for an easy, quick and delicious meal.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 TBSP apple cider vinegar
• 3 TBSP coconut aminos
• 1 TBSP honey
• 2 TBSP avocado oil
• 1-inch piece ginger, grated or minced
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 TBSP orange zest
• 1/2 TBSP tapioca starch + 1/4 cup water
• green onions (for garnishing, optional)

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Instructions

1. In a small bowl combine orange juice, apple cider vinegar, coconut aminos and maple syrup and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat avocado oil on medium heat.
3. Once hot, add ginger and garlic, and sauté in the oil until fragrant.
4. Then, add ground chicken, salt, and orange zest and brown the meat, leaving clumps of ground chicken together for some texture if desired.
5. Once the chicken is fully cooked, lower the heat slightly and add the orange sauce.
6. Bring to a simmer and then combine tapioca starch and water to make a slurry. Stir slurry into the dish until the sauce begins to thicken.
7. Remove from heat, garnish with sliced green onions and enjoy!

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Mains
• Method: Stove Top
• Cuisine: Asian Inspired