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Gluten Free Orange Chicken

September 1, 2021 Modified December 1, 2021 By Nicole 9 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links.

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

white bowl with ground chicken in orange sauce topped with sliced green onions, steamed broccoli and cauliflower rice. There is a stainless steel fork to the left of the bowl and another bowl filled with the same ingredients partially visible in the top right of the frame

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

This dish is the perfect weeknight meal because it comes together in literally 20 minutes. You can prep the sides like cauliflower rice and broccoli while the chicken cooks for the ultimate quick dinner. Unlike Panda Express Orange Chicken, this recipe doesn’t include a flour coating and involves no frying. The ground chicken is browned as is with garlic, ginger and orange zest before adding the sauce for more of that delicious orange flavor.

Here’s what you need for this easy Orange Chicken:

ground chicken – you can definitely substitute ground turkey or even ground pork in this recipe

fresh garlic and ginger – these are the aromatics of the dish and used to 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!

maple syrup – this provides the sweetener in the sauce

apple cider vinegar + coconut aminos – these two create the acidity and tanginess that’s so characteristic of orange chicken sauce

tapioca starch – this is the thickener for the sauce so that it can coat the chicken perfectly!

green onions – this is an optional garnish that provides some brightness to the finished dish.

black cast iron skillet with ground chicken in orange sauce topped with sliced green onions

Orange Chicken FAQs

Can I make this using a different ground meat?

Ground turkey works really well here! I haven’t tried the dish with ground pork, but think that would be delicious too!

How do I store store this dish?

Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I wouldn’t recommend freezing this one.

What do I serve with this gluten free orange chicken?

This pairs so well with cauliflower rice and steamed broccoli, both of which you can prepare while the chicken cooks to have everything ready in under 30 minutes.

two white bowls with cauliflower rice, steamed broccoli and ground chicken in orange sauce placed diagonally against a white marbled background. There is a stainless steel fork placed to the left of the bowl in the center of the image

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 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. 

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white bowl with ground chicken in orange sauce topped with sliced green onions, steamed broccoli and cauliflower rice. There is a stainless steel fork to the left of the bowl and another bowl filled with the same ingredients partially visible in the top right of the frame

Gluten Free Orange Chicken (AIP, paleo)


★★★★★

5 from 9 reviews

  • Author: Nicole @healmedelicious
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 3 –4 servings 1x
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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.


Ingredients

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

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 oil on medium heat.
  3. Once hot, add ground chicken, salt, ginger, garlic and orange zest and brown the meat, leaving clumps of ground chicken together for some texture if desired.
  4. Once the chicken is fully cooked, lower the heat slightly and add the orange sauce.
  5. 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.
  6. Remove from heat, garnish with sliced green onions and enjoy!
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Mains

Keywords: orange chicken, ground chicken, 30 minute meals, one-pan meal, one-pot meal, easy dinner

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Categories: AIP, All Recipes, Chicken, Dairy Free, Mains, Paleo, Quick Meals Tagged With: chicken dinner, chickendinner, ground chicken, orange chicken, paleo, quick weeknight meal

Previous Post: « Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Christine Truex

    May 29, 2022 at 9:44 pm

    Absolutely delicious! Have to eat AIP now and tried this recipe. Id make this whether AIP or not!! My daughter, 20, helped out and loves it as well.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  2. Debbie Wilson

    May 1, 2022 at 10:04 pm

    Very flavorful!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  3. ahs

    February 25, 2022 at 4:32 pm

    This is perfect! Deeply satisfying and flavorful!

    I agree with the earlier commenter that the scallions are the perfect finishing touch and took Nicole’s suggestion to pair this recipe with a side of steamed broccoli.

    My meat CSA was out of ground chicken so I pressure cooked a whole chicken in the sauce, stuck the chicken in the broiler to crisp the skin afterward, and reduced the sauce to eventually pour over the chicken and broccoli combo! It was wonderful.

    As always, I look forward to following the recipe exactly when my CSA restocks ground chicken! I cherish Nicole’s recipes as-is and remain grateful for them!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  4. Mary Ellen Skelly

    January 19, 2022 at 9:53 am

    Made this recipe this week and it was soooo good! We will definitely be adding this to our rotation of favourites. Thank you so much. (Also, don’t skip the green onions- they add to the yumminess!)

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  5. Dana

    January 17, 2022 at 1:19 pm

    Easy and flavorful! Great for weeknight meals.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  6. Lisa

    November 15, 2021 at 6:45 pm

    Quick and delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  7. Taylor

    November 13, 2021 at 7:34 pm

    Fast, tasty, and AIP? I couldn’t ask for more

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  8. Erin

    November 7, 2021 at 9:48 pm

    Easy to make and delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  9. Arie

    October 20, 2021 at 11:16 am

    Your orange chicken recipe is absolutely delicious! It’s the perfect combination of sweet, tangy and salty in every bite. I’ll definitely be doubling the recipe next time I cook it. Thank you.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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