Easy Honey and Orange Chicken Recipe!

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This honey orange chicken tender recipe is fuss-free to make and it’s perfect for busy weeknights. Flour coated chicken tenders are cooked in a delicious and tangy orange sauce which gives this dish a sweet and savory flavor.

orange chicken on a plate with broccoli and mushrooms

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You are going to love this easy orange chicken recipe! It’s similar to the Chinese orange chicken that you can get in Chinese restaurants but made healthier and with simple ingredients.It’s made with tender bites of chicken that are delicious and sure to become a family favorite for your whole family.

If you like easy dinners as much as we do, try these great recipes for honey dijon chicken sheet pan dinner or one pan lemon chicken with broccoli.

Why you will love orange chicken tenders

It’s healthy! The chicken is sauteed quickly instead of being deep-fried.
Honey orange chicken is an easy recipe that is quick to put together. It’s made with healthy ingredients in less than an hour!
It’s versatile! Honey orange chicken can be adapted to suit different tastes. See the variations below.

the ingredietns on a board: Clockwise: orange juice, honey, tapicoa flour, sesame oil garlic ginger, tamari sauce, chicken tenders

Here is what you will need

This is a brief summary of the ingredients needed to make this recipe and a convenient shopping list from my Instacart affiliate link. For a printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions, scroll down to the recipe card section.

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Ingredients

Chicken tenders or boneless chicken breasts
Tamari sauce or Soy sauce
Honey
Fresh orange juice
Garlic
Fresh ginger
Toasted sesame oil
Olive oil
Flour

🥄Equipment

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How to make honey orange chicken tenders

STEP 1: Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour making sure the entire piece of chicken is coated with the flour.

STEP 2: Mix the tamari or soy sauce, honey, orange juice, crushed garlic, ginger and sesame oil together in a small bowl.

STEP 3: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the olive oil is hot, add the chicken pieces. Cook them without disturbing them for about 4 to 5 minutes. At this point, check the underside; they should be starting to turn golden brown. Flip the chicken over and continue to cook it on medium high heat until both sides of chicken become golden brown.

STEP 4: Turn the heat to low medium heat; stir in the orange juice mixture. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes while stirring occasionally; while the flour coating from the chicken helps to thicken the sauce and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees f which should only take about 5 minutes for the sauce to become thick.

How to make orange chicken ahead of time

Honey orange chicken is a can easily be made ahead of time and assembled just before serving. Dredge the chicken tenders and cook them in a skillet. Allow the cooked chicken to cool off and place them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to two days. Next, mix up the ingredients for the sauce and store the sauce in a separate container.

When it’s time to serve, heat a little bit of oil in a skillet over medium to high heat. Once the oil is hot add the cooked chicken tenders and the sauce. Once the sauce bubbles, reduce the heat to low and cook until everything is heated through and serve.

Ingredient notes and substitutions

Chicken tenders – This dish is typically made with cubed boneless chicken thighs. I like the convenience of chicken tenders because they are small enough and don’t need to be cut into cubes. Boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces will also work in this recipe.

If you prefer chicken thighs, you can use and equal amount of boneless chicken thighs that have been cut into bite-sized pieces.

Fresh Garlic – Fresh is always best, especially in this refreshing recipe. However, if fresh garlic is not available, it can be substituted with 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder.

Fresh Ginger – As with garlic, fresh ginger tastes best, but if you don’t have fresh ginger, you can use 1/8 to 1/4 quarter teaspoon of ground ginger.

Tamari sauce – As a Japanese version of soy sauce, is a gluten-free soy sauce, if tamari sauce is not available, it can be substituted with regular soy sauce, hoisin sauce or coconut aminos which is soy free.

Fresh orange juice – If fresh orange juice from fresh oranges is not available, it can be replaced with an equal amount of bottled orange juice.

Honey – This adds a touch of sweetness to this delicious recipe. It can be replaced with an equal amount of maple syrup, brown rice syrup or brown sugar. For a less sweet version, the sweetner can be left out.

Flour – This thickens the sauce and only a little bit is needed. If flour is not available or you would prefer a gluten-free version, you can use an equal amount of corn starch, arrowroot or tapioca flour as thickeners.

What to serve with honey orange chicken tenders

Serve this healthy orange chicken recipe garnished with chopped green onions and sesame seeds over steamed brown rice, white rice, cauliflower rice, or zucchini noodles with a side of steamed broccoli, roasted Brussels sprouts , roasted asparagus or stir-fried veggies.

How to store leftovers

Store leftover room-temperature orange chicken in the refrigerator for up to four days in an airtight container. Reheat it on top of the stove until it’s heated through in a covered skillet over low heat or in the microwave.

Recipe variations

Spicy – If you like spicy food, spice up the orange-flavored sauce with a dash of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or a dash of sriracha sauce to give the sauce a spicy kick.

Orange teriyaki chicken – Add a splash of mirin for sake to the sauce for an authentic teriyaki flavor.

Orange chicken stir fry – Before cooking the chicken, toss fresh veggies such as red bell pepper, broccoli florets, julienned carrots or mushrooms in a hot skillet with oil. Set them aside while the chicken cooks and add them back to the pan with the chicken before serving.

Tips

Adjust the thickness of the sauce by adding a little bit of water at a time if it’s too thick, or a little bit of tapioca flour if it’s too thin.
For an extra burst of fresh orange flavors, add a teaspoon of fresh orange zest to the sauce.
Cooking time can vary depending on the cut of chicken, use a meat thermometer for best results.

Recipe FAQs

Can I freeze leftover orange chicken?

Yes, freezing leftover orange chicken is a great option. Once it has cooled to room temperature place leftover orange chicken into an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat it on the stove over low heat.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

You can make this recipe vegetarian or vegan by replacing the chicken with tofu or tempeh.

Can I use orange marmalade instead of orange juice for the sauce?

You can use marmalade if you are in a pinch. Marmalade is sweet, for best results mix a little water into the sauce with marmalade and soy sauce to taste 2and leave the honey out.