Soy-Free Homemade Orange Chicken
Skip the soy but keep the rich, tangy flavor with this Soy-Free Homemade Orange Chicken recipe, a fresh twist on the Chinese takeout classic. Perfectly crispy chicken thighs are coated in a luscious sauce made from fresh orange juice, orange zest, honey, and a hint of sesame oil, all without the need for soy sauce. Ready in just 40 minutes, this easy, family-friendly dish uses simple pantry staples like garlic, ginger, and cornstarch for a beautifully thick, clean-tasting glaze. Garnished with vibrant green onions and toasted sesame seeds, this dish is perfect for pairing with steamed rice or your favorite sides, offering a healthier, allergen-conscious take on a beloved favorite. Whether you're avoiding soy or just craving a zesty homemade meal, this orange chicken is bound to become a repeat request!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 0.5 cup Cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 0.5 cup Fresh orange juice
- 1 Zest of one orange
- 0.25 cup Honey
- 3 tablespoons Rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Sesame oil
- 2 cloves Minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons Water
- 2 Sliced green onions
- 1 tablespoon Sesame seeds
Instructions
Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
In a large bowl, mix the cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Add the chicken pieces and toss until coated.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, cooking in batches if necessary, and fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the orange juice, orange zest, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and minced ginger.
Pour the sauce mixture into the same skillet used for the chicken. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
In a small bowl, mix the tablespoon of cornstarch with the 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry.
Add the slurry to the sauce in the skillet and stir continuously until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, stirring to coat all pieces in the sauce.
Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Serve immediately with steamed rice or your favorite side dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1801 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 97.5 g | 125% | |
| Saturated Fat | 20.7 g | 103% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 10.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 567 mg | 189% | |
| Sodium | 2897 mg | 126% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 106.6 g | 39% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.5 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 60.2 g | ||
| Protein | 122.0 g | 244% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.8 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 120 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 6.3 mg | 35% | |
| Potassium | 1517 mg | 32% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
