Paleo Orange Chicken (Whole30, AIP)

Who doesn’t love orange chicken? That sweet, tangy flavor paired with tender chicken—it’s a total comfort dish! But let’s be honest, the takeout versions are often loaded with sugar, deep-fried, and, well… not exactly healthy.

This Paleo Orange Chicken gives you all the flavor without the guilt. It’s made with fresh orange juice, coconut aminos, and clean ingredients that fit into Paleo, Whole30, and AIP diets. And the best part? It’s easy to make. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep that feels fancy. Trust me, your kitchen will smell divine.

Quick Recipe Snapshot

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Servings: 2-4 (scale up or down as needed)
• Difficulty: Super simple—great for beginners

Pro Tip: You can make the sauce ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Cook the chicken fresh, combine, and voilà—dinner is served.

What You’ll Need

For the Chicken:

• 1.5–2 lbs chicken breast, cubed
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil (or olive oil)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

For the Sauce:

• ½ cup fresh orange juice (about 1–2 oranges)
• Zest from 1 orange (about 1 tablespoon)
• 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• ½ teaspoon tapioca starch (or arrowroot starch)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼–½ teaspoon ground turmeric (optional, for color)

Optional Garnish:

• Sesame seeds

Before You Start

• Fresh orange juice is key. Skip the bottled stuff.
• Don’t skimp on the orange zest—it gives the dish that fresh citrus pop.
• Prefer juicier chicken? Use thighs instead of breasts.

How to Make It

Step 1: Cook the Chicken

• Heat the avocado oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
• Add the chicken and garlic. Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring every so often, until the chicken is golden and cooked through (juicy inside, golden outside).

Pro Tip: Don’t crowd the pan! Overcrowding can make the chicken steam instead of brown.

Step 2: Make the Sauce

• While the chicken cooks, whisk all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl: orange juice, zest, coconut aminos, ginger, tapioca starch, salt, and turmeric.
• Stir until smooth. The starch should dissolve completely—no lumps!

Step 3: Bring It All Together

• Once the chicken is cooked, lower the heat to medium.
• Pour the sauce into the pan and stir to coat all the chicken pieces.
• Let it simmer for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and clings to the chicken.

How to Tell It’s Ready: When you drag a spatula through the sauce and it leaves a trail for a second or two before closing up, you’re good to go.

Step 4: Garnish & Serve

• Remove from heat and sprinkle sesame seeds on top if you like. Serve immediately.
• This dish pairs perfectly with cauliflower rice or steamed broccoli for a balanced meal.

Tips, Swaps & Ideas

• No Tapioca Starch? Arrowroot works just as well.
• Not Paleo or AIP? Use tamari or low-sodium soy sauce instead of coconut aminos.
• Vegan Swap: Replace chicken with tofu or tempeh.

Wanna get creative? Swap regular oranges for blood oranges in winter for a richer flavor and color.

Leftovers & Storage

• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheat over medium-low heat on the stovetop. Add a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed.

Heads Up: Freezing isn’t ideal since it can mess with the sauce’s texture.

This Paleo Orange Chicken is proof you don’t have to sacrifice flavor for healthier choices. It’s fresh, tangy, and just the right amount of sweet. Whether you’re meal-prepping or enjoying a cozy dinner at home, this dish is a winner.

Let me know how it turns out—I’d love to hear your take!

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