Easy, Healthy Orange Chicken
Skip the takeout and make delicious orange chicken at home with this easy homemade orange chicken sauce! Made with orange marmalade, orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and honey, this sauce strikes the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors.
It’s quick to prepare, uses simple pantry ingredients, and makes enough to coat a family-size batch of chicken. Serve it over rice with steamed broccoli or edamame for an easy weeknight dinner the whole family can enjoy.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 3 cups
- Servings: 6–8, depending on how much sauce you use
- Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
- 4 large chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 cup orange marmalade
- 1 cup orange juice
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup bone broth
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons vinegar (rice vinegar recommended; apple cider or white vinegar also works)
- 2 tablespoons ginger paste
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch
- 4 tablespoons cold water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Toasted sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
1. Combine the Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the orange marmalade, orange juice, soy sauce, bone broth, honey, vinegar, ginger paste, and minced garlic until well combined.
Whisk together 2 tbsp of the cornstarch and the cold water until smooth, making sure there are no lumps. Combine slowly with sauce.
2. Prepare the Chicken
Toss the cubed breasts with the remaining 2 tbsp of cornstarch and salt and pepper to taste. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a nonstick wok over med-high heat and add the chicken. Toss a couple times, giving the chicken a nice sear, but not cooking all the way through.
3. Add and Thicken the Sauce
Slowly pour the sauce over the chicken and bring to a boil. Let it bubble for a couple minutes, stir, cover, and cook until chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes.
If the sauce is thicker than you’d like, add a small splash of orange juice or bone broth until you reach your preferred consistency.
4. Serve and Enjoy
Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, if desired. Serve immediately over rice with steamed broccoli or your favorite vegetables (we’re partial to edamame!)
Tips for the Best Orange Chicken Sauce
- Adjust the sweetness: Orange marmalade is already sweet, so taste the sauce before adding extra honey. Add more only if needed.
- Balance the flavors: If the sauce tastes too sweet, add a little extra vinegar. If it’s too tangy, stir in a small amount of honey.
- Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a little sriracha for a sweet-and-spicy orange sauce.
- Get extra orange flavor: Add a little freshly grated orange zest if you have a fresh orange available.
What to Serve with Orange Chicken
Turn this sauce into an easy family dinner by pairing it with:
- Steamed white or brown rice
- Roasted or steamed broccoli
- Stir-fried bell peppers and carrots
- Rice noodles
- Sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish
How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerator: Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Warm the sauce gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or orange juice if it becomes too thick.
Make-ahead tip: Prepare the sauce in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to cook dinner. For the best texture, thicken it with the cornstarch shortly before serving.
