Better Than Takeout Crispy Gluten-Free Orange Chicken

Crispy Gluten-Free Orange Chicken — The best homemade version of your favorite takeout! After making this many times, I’ve perfected the crispy texture and tangy sauce. Bite into the crispy, golden chicken and you’ll be amazed at the fresh, cozy flavors. Serve it with my Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns for a complete meal. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe and Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing.

What You'll Need for Better Than Takeout Crispy Gluten-Free Orange Chicken

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup water
• Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Vegetable oil (for frying)
• Orange zest (optional, for garnish)
• Optional: Sesame seeds
• Optional: Chopped cilantro
• Optional: Diced green onions

How to Make Better Than Takeout Crispy Gluten-Free Orange Chicken

1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together orange juice, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). Set aside.
2. Step 2: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and pepper. In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch and water. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat.
3. Step 3: Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, pour in the orange sauce mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Stir in cornstarch mixture until sauce thickens.
5. Step 5: Add crispy chicken back into the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Garnish with green onions and serve over steamed rice.

Storing & Reheating Better Than Takeout Crispy Gluten-Free Orange Chicken

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the sauce and cut the chicken ahead of time. Store separately in the fridge until ready to cook.

Freezing Better Than Takeout Crispy Gluten-Free Orange Chicken

Freeze cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat in the oven or microwave.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Stir occasionally.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: Use a thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to a safe temperature of 165°F.
• Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a more tender texture.
• Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce and cut the chicken ahead of time. Store separately in the fridge until ready to cook.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a bit of water. If it's too thin, let it simmer longer or add more cornstarch mixture.

Better Than Takeout Crispy Gluten-Free Orange Chicken

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

15 mins

⏳

Total

30 mins

🍽

Serves

4 servings

🥗

Diet

Gluten-free

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup water
• Green onions, chopped (for garnish)

Seasonings

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Vegetable oil (for frying)
• Orange zest (optional, for garnish)

Optional Toppings

• Sesame seeds
• Chopped cilantro
• Diced green onions

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together orange juice, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). Set aside.
2. Step 2: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and pepper. In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch and water. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat.
3. Step 3: Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, pour in the orange sauce mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Stir in cornstarch mixture until sauce thickens.
5. Step 5: Add crispy chicken back into the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Garnish with green onions and serve over steamed rice.

Notes

• Chef tip: Use a thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to a safe temperature of 165°F.
• Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a more tender texture.
• Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce and cut the chicken ahead of time. Store separately in the fridge until ready to cook.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a bit of water. If it's too thin, let it simmer longer or add more cornstarch mixture.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat in the oven or microwave.
• Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Stir occasionally.
• Make ahead: Prepare the sauce and cut the chicken ahead of time. Store separately in the fridge until ready to cook.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 30g
• Fat: 12g
• Carbs: 28g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 1200mg
• Cholesterol: 70mg
• Sat. Fat: 2g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Better Than Takeout Crispy Gluten-Free Orange Chicken FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Better Than Takeout Crispy Gluten-Free Orange Chicken and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!