Amazing Orange Chicken that’s made into a light version. Juicy chicken thighs sauteed in some peanut oil and then cooked in orange sauce. Simple and delicious 30 minute dinner.
Don’t reach for that take-out menu! Just add a couple of ingredients to your shopping list and make this amazing Orange Chicken at home. It will take you no time at all and it’s super easy. Just saute chicken thighs, try to get some sear on it too for more flavor, and add a simple sauce at the end. You’ll know every ingredient that goes into your tasty dinner and you’ll have it in front of you much faster than a delivery boy can get it there.
I added some nutty flavor to this dish by cooking the chicken in peanut oil and adding some cashews. I recommend making this orange chicken nutty just for the fun of it. You can also add some fresh green onions on top. I love fresh green onions and of course, that’s the only thing I forgot at the store.
I hate it when I forget an item off my list even more than the store being out of it. I hate it because after getting home, I stand there debating if it’s worth running back out to the store or if I can wing it without. In this particular case, laziness won. Mostly because I didn’t notice that I forgot it until I was ready to garnish the ready dish. But even without the green onions, this was one tasty, tasty chicken. I serve it with Jasmine rice but you can serve it with brown rice or quinoa for a lighter option.
Ingredients
- 1.25 lb chicken thighs
- 2 Tbsp peanut oil
- Salt
- 2 oz cashews
- Sauce:
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 1/4 cup chicken stock
- 1 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sherry vinegar
- 1 Tbsp corn starch
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
Instructions
- Take most fat off of chicken thighs and cut them into about 1/2 inch cubes.
- Preheat a large cooking pan (or a wok) over medium-high heat. Add peanut oil and chopped chicken.
- Saute chicken with some salt until mostly done. Stir in cashews.
- Whisk everything for orange sauce in a mixing bowl until smooth.
- Add sauce to the chicken and stir well.
- Cook, stirring slowly, until sauce is thickened. It should take 3-5 minutes.
- Serve with rice and veggies.
Notes
Check out these great recipes from other bloggers:
Light Crispy Chinese Chicken from Dinner, Then Dessert
Sweet Chili Coconut Lime Grilled Chicken from Iowa Girl Eats
Light Chicken Parmesan from Yellow Bliss Road
Skinny Chicken Marsala from Grandbaby Cakes
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Amy says
Wonderful, this and a bowl of fried rice is all anyone needs.
lyuba says
Absolutely! Thank you so much, Amy!
Roxana says
This chicken looks SO yummy – that sauce! I’d choose this over anything on the takeout menu any old day! 🙂
lyuba says
Thank you so much, Roxana!
Liz says
So many great recipes. Thank you
lyuba says
Thank you, dear!