Description
Crispy golden chicken pieces coated in a glossy sweet and tangy orange sauce, served over fluffy rice. This homemade version delivers bold citrus flavor with a perfect balance of savory depth, all while staying completely gluten free.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite sized chunks
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- ½ cup avocado oil
- ¾ cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- ¼ cup gluten free soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- ⅓ cup honey
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 3 cups cooked white rice
Instructions
- Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
- In one bowl whisk the eggs. In another bowl combine cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. Dip chicken pieces into the eggs, then coat thoroughly in the cornstarch mixture.
- Fry the coated chicken in batches for 4 to 5 minutes per batch until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium low. In the same skillet add garlic and ginger and cook briefly until fragrant.
- Stir in orange juice, orange zest, gluten free soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss until evenly coated in the sauce.
- Serve immediately over cooked white rice and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- Fry chicken in batches to keep the coating crispy.
- Add the orange zest at the end of simmering for brighter citrus aroma.
- Adjust sweetness by reducing or increasing the honey slightly.
- For extra heat, add a pinch more red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 165mg
Keywords: gluten free orange chicken, homemade orange chicken, citrus chicken, gluten free dinner, Chinese American chicken