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Home » Dinner » Chicken » Nutty Light Orange Chicken

Nutty Light Orange Chicken

Created: January 5, 2016 Updated: April 12, 2023 by Lyuba Brooke 6 Comments

338 shares
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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.

Nutty Light Orange Chicken in a white bowl on wood table

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.

Nutty Light Orange Chicken in a white bowl with oranges around it

white decorative bowl filled with nutty light orange chicken on a wooden serving tray with sliced oranges around the bowl

Nutty Light Orange Chicken

Juicy chicken thighs sauteed in some peanut oil and then cooked in orange sauce. Simple and delicious 30 minute dinner.
5 from 1 vote
Print SaveSaved! Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 495kcal
Author: Lyuba Brooke

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 brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp sherry vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 495kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 280mg | Potassium: 491mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 212IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @willcookforsmiles and tag #willcookforsmiles

Nutty Light Orange Chicken in a white bowl with oranges around it

Nutty Light Orange Chicken with a white bowl

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Nutty Light Orange Chicken in bowl

Some More Recipes From Me:

Honey Lime Chicken

Chili Lime Roasted Chicken

Bourbon Chicken

Homemade Teriyaki Chicken

LYUBA

ABOUT LYUBA

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read more...

338 shares

Filed Under: 30 Minute Meals, Chicken, Dinner

All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe. Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.

Comments

  1. Liz says

    January 6, 2016 at 10:05 pm

    5 stars
    So many great recipes. Thank you

    Reply
    • lyuba says

      January 7, 2016 at 9:53 am

      Thank you, dear!

      Reply
  2. Roxana says

    January 5, 2016 at 11:46 pm

    This chicken looks SO yummy – that sauce! I’d choose this over anything on the takeout menu any old day! 🙂

    Reply
    • lyuba says

      January 6, 2016 at 5:16 pm

      Thank you so much, Roxana!

      Reply
  3. Amy says

    January 5, 2016 at 5:18 pm

    Wonderful, this and a bowl of fried rice is all anyone needs.

    Reply
    • lyuba says

      January 6, 2016 at 5:14 pm

      Absolutely! Thank you so much, Amy!

      Reply

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Well, hey there!

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read More.

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