If you’ve ever craved takeout orange chicken but didn’t want the bloated, sluggish feeling after… you’re going to love this clean and easy version.

This 30-Minute Skillet Orange Chicken has all the sweet, sticky flavor you love—without the deep-fried guilt. It’s made with simple, real ingredients in just one pan, and it’s naturally gluten-free and refined sugar-free. I started making this on busy weeknights when I needed something quick but still warm and satisfying.

Now it’s a go-to comfort food meal that leaves me feeling good after dinner, not just during.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 1 tbsp arrowroot powder or cornstarch

• 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Sauce:

• 1/3 cup orange juice (fresh is best!)

• 2 tbsp coconut aminos or low-sodium soy sauce

• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup

• 1 tbsp rice vinegar

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/4 tsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp arrowroot or cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water (to thicken)

• Optional: orange zest or red pepper flakes for extra flavor

Instructions

1. Coat chicken with salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp arrowroot or cornstarch.

2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 6–8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients, including the arrowroot slurry.

4. Pour the sauce into the skillet and bring to a simmer, stirring until it thickens (about 2 minutes).

5. Return the chicken to the pan and toss to coat in the sauce.

6. Serve warm over steamed broccoli, cauliflower rice, or brown rice.

Why I Love This Recipe

This recipe gives you all the cozy, sticky-sweet orange chicken vibes without the heavy breading or sugar crash. It’s fast, flavorful, and feels like a total treat—but made with ingredients that leave me feeling energized, not sluggish.

When I first started eating clean, I didn’t want to give up flavor. Recipes like this showed me I didn’t have to. It’s real food with a real payoff.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving – Makes 3)

• Calories: 360

• Protein: 32g

• Carbohydrates: 20g

• Fiber: 1g

• Fat: 18g