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Food Faith Fitness

Nourishing your body, mind and soul

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Paleo Orange Chicken

Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Grain Free
Paleo
Whole 30
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This paleo orange chicken is so much better and healthier than takeout! It’s a quick and easy, whole30 compliant dinner that the whole family will love!

Whole30 Orange Chicken - This 30 minute, paleo orange chicken is so much better and healthier than takeout! It's a quick and easy, whole30 compliant dinner that the whole family will love! | Foodfaithfitness.com | @FoodFaithFit

NEW YEAR FOOD!

Liiiiiike, food that isn’t a pistachio whipped shortbread cookie, spiced paleo cookie with almond butter or a mint paleo gluten free chocolate cake.

IE: food that is NOT Christmas-related, but is totally 2017 related because HELLO YOU BRAVE WHOLE30 DOING SOULS.

I envy you.  Me and my morning bowl of funfetti protein overnight oats are ONE, and we are never going to be UNDONE.

Which means I will not EVER EVER EVER be doing the whole30 diet. No matter how many people tell me that it is the most awesome and challenging-in-a-good-way New Year’s resolution I could have. No matter how many times I create whole30 compliant recipes – HI  slow cooker mango chicken and sweet potato bowls – that my mouth actually RLY RLY enjoys munchin’.

I will just MAKE food for your ambitious soul, and stick to the same resolution that I have had for the past 3 years:

Whole30 Orange Chicken - This 30 minute, paleo orange chicken is so much better and healthier than takeout! It's a quick and easy, whole30 compliant dinner that the whole family will love! | Foodfaithfitness.com | @FoodFaithFit

To have Z-E-R-O resolutions.  We all know they only last approximately 1.5 seconds anyways.

#REALLIFETALK

How-EV-er, the one thing that we are rep-EATING from last year, is Whole30 dinner recipe week!

The first week of 2016 we had whole30 aleo gluten free healthy sweet and sour chicken, mango chicken with coconut cauliflower rice, jerk shrimp stew and sweet potato noodles and apple spinach salad.  This year? Because you <3 <3 <3 it SOOOO much, we’re doing the same themed week: today, Wednesday and Friday I will be bringing you whole30 APPROVED (CHECK MARK) recipes that justsohappen to also be approved for your easy-weeknight-dinner-eating lives.

Last year’s mango chicken basically broke the internet. I still have you making it, loving it, snapping all kinds of hip-foodie Instagram pics of it and generally just being obsessed with it. (I like you.)

Whole30 Orange Chicken - This 30 minute, paleo orange chicken is so much better and healthier than takeout! It's a quick and easy, whole30 compliant dinner that the whole family will love! | Foodfaithfitness.com | @FoodFaithFit

Whole30 Orange Chicken - This 30 minute, paleo orange chicken is so much better and healthier than takeout! It's a quick and easy, whole30 compliant dinner that the whole family will love! | Foodfaithfitness.com | @FoodFaithFit

So, it only makes logical sense to MIX IT UP (just a little) and bring you a REINVENTED, healthy-whole food version of your guilty-Panda-Express-pleasure: Orange Chicken!

Orrr orange tofu for my vegetarian friends!

Buuuuuut without all the yucky in your tummy feelings that come after your hungry-takeout-loving self face-plants into a bowl of QUESTIONABLE, nasty little ingredients that take the “pleasure” out of the whole “guilty pleasure” thing.

Did I ever tell you about the time that Mr. FFF and I ordered $5 Chinese food for our first year anniversary, and we were going to be adorable and eat it on a picnic blanket on the living room floor? (since our anniversary is in the winter.)

Well. There was a reason it was $5. That anniversary? NOT ROMANTIC.

Unless you think lying on the couch in a bloated MSG coma of FOOD DEATH is romantic.

Whole30 Orange Chicken - This 30 minute, paleo orange chicken is so much better and healthier than takeout! It's a quick and easy, whole30 compliant dinner that the whole family will love! | Foodfaithfitness.com | @FoodFaithFit

SPOILER ALERT: It’s not.

This fake-out take out? NOT LIKE THAT.

BUT, it is delivering a MEGA punch of crispy-golden-brown goodness on the outside, that ends with your teeth sinking into juicy, tender chicken yumminess on the inside.  It’s A-L-S-O bringing the classic glossy, sticky-sweet sauce that every good Asian dish has.

Contrary to what the usual sketchy takeout place down the road is delivering, this bowl, bursting with crispy-crunchy-citrusy tastiness, is delivering a 1-2 PUNCH of heart healthy fats in the form of avocado oil, and a whollop of lean, mean PROTEIN.

With no gluten, grains OR dairy. <– SEE, no nasties

To (sort of)quote a VRY VRY classic movie: (Legally Blonde say WHAAA)

Whole30 Orange Chicken - This 30 minute, paleo orange chicken is so much better and healthier than takeout! It's a quick and easy, whole30 compliant dinner that the whole family will love! | Foodfaithfitness.com | @FoodFaithFit

“whoever said that takeout had to be a GUILTY pleasure, we SRSLY disturbed.”

For step-by-step instruction of this recipe, watch my video tutorial below:
SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND NEVER MISS A RECIPE!  New recipes posted each week!

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Whole30 Orange Chicken - This 30 minute, paleo orange chicken is so much better and healthier than takeout! It's a quick and easy, whole30 compliant dinner that the whole family will love! | Foodfaithfitness.com | @FoodFaithFit
4.78 from 22 votes
Print

Paleo Orange Chicken

The best healthy orange chicken! Paleo, gluten free, and delicious!

Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Asian, Chinese
Keyword baked chicken, healthy, orange chicken, paleo, whole30
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 2 people
Calories 438 kcal

Ingredients

For the sauce:

For the chicken:

For serving:

  • 1 medium orange, segmented
  • Green onion, sliced
  • Sesame seeds
  • Hot cooked white rice or cauliflower rice

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, orange zest, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, red pepper flakes and a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside.

  2. In a medium, high-sided frying pan heat the avocado oil (for the sauce) up on medium heat.  Add in the ginger and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

  3. Add in the orange juice mixture, stirring so the garlic/ginger mix into it.  Additionally, place the 1 tsp of Tapioca starch into a medium bowl.

  4. Turn the temperature up to high and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add 2 tsp of the hot sauce into the tapioca starch and whisk until smooth.  While whisking, pour the tapioca mixture into the sauce and stir in well.  

  5. After you add the tapioca, boil the sauce for 2 minutes. Then, turn the heat down to medium/low and cook an additional 3-4 minutes until the sauce is thick and glossy.   Transfer to a large bowl, cover, and let stand to thicken up more while you make the chicken.

  6. In a large frying pan over medium/high heat, heat the avocado oil. NOTE: you do not want to crowd the chicken, so I fry mine in 2 batches, using 1 Tbsp of oil each time. Adjust according to the size of your pan.

  7. While the oil heats, place the tapioca starch and a pinch of salt and pepper into a large Zip-loc bag.  Add in the chicken cubes, seal the bag and toss until the chicken is coated in the starch.

  8. Place the chicken into the hot oil (again, don't crowd them) and cook until golden brown and crispy about 2-3 minutes per side, flipping once. If your chicken cooks too quickly, reduce the heat a little bit. Repeat with the 2nd batch of chicken if necessary.

  9. Once cooked, transfer to a paper-towel lined plate and gently press out any excess oil.  Place the chicken into the bowl with the sauce. Add in the orange segments and toss until the sauce coats everything.

  10. Serve over top of cauliflower rice, or white rice, garnish with green onion and sesame seeds, and DEVOUR.

Recipe Notes

*Or soy sauce for not paleo/whole30

*Any high-heat oil can be used if you don't have avocado.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

If you try this recipe I would love to see it and share it! Tag me on IG @foodfaithfit, using the hashtag #foodfaithfit

Learn how to meal prep like a pro with my Meal Planning Toolkit.

FOR THIS RECIPE, I RECOMMEND:

Nutrition Facts
Paleo Orange Chicken
Amount Per Serving
Calories 438 Calories from Fat 172
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 19.1g 29%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.6g
Monounsaturated Fat 12.5g
Cholesterol 68mg 23%
Sodium 217.4mg 9%
Potassium 603.2mg 17%
Total Carbohydrates 35.4g 12%
Dietary Fiber 1.7g 7%
Sugars 17.4g
Protein 29g 58%
Vitamin A 4.2%
Vitamin C 109.3%
Calcium 16.7%
Iron 1.2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Weight Watchers Points Per Serving: SmartPoints: 11 Points+: 11. Old Points: 10

(Per serving – not including rice/cauliflower rice)

IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, PLEASE REMEMBER TO TAG @FOODFAITHFIT AND #FOODFAITHFITNESS ON INSTAGRAM! I LOVE SEEING YOUR RECIPE RECREATIONS! :)

Whole30 Orange Chicken - This 30 minute, paleo orange chicken is so much better and healthier than takeout! It's a quick and easy, whole30 compliant dinner that the whole family will love! | Foodfaithfitness.com | @FoodFaithFit

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Sabrina says

    January 2, 2017 at 11:40 am

    This Paleo Orange Chicken looks soo tasty! I’ve been needing to make my own recipe for this dish—in the meantime, I’ll have to try yours stat!! ???? Love the video you made by the way!

    Reply

  7. Emily says

    January 3, 2017 at 7:37 am

    This sounds AMAZING. We love orange chicken here, and this looks like it would be easier than most ‘imitation Orange chicken’ recipes.

    Reply

  10. Julie says

    January 4, 2017 at 12:29 pm

    I made this for dinner last night – oh my gosh – my husband and I loved it! I’m having leftovers for lunch today 🙂 I can’t wait to try some of your other recipes.

    Reply

  17. Ankit says

    May 11, 2017 at 5:33 am


    This looks amazing! What are coconut aminos? Is it shredded coconut? I’ve not heard the term and can’t wait to try this recipe.

    Reply

  24. Kelli M. Riebesehl says

    July 2, 2017 at 9:32 am


    This looks delicious. I can hardly wait to make it for my family. I know commenting on the beauty of a blog is a bit commonplace but I just have to say that I love your blog. It’s so inspiring. If you find me hanging out a little longer than your usual reader, I promise- I’m not a stalker :o) I’m just really enjoying your blog!
    Have a great day!
    Kelli M. Riebesehl

    Reply

  26. Mrs. C. says

    July 8, 2017 at 1:50 pm

    This recipe is going to literally be the next meal I cook thanks to the fact that chicken was on sale, so I bought 20lb, and so did my husband. #greatmindsthinkalike #anyonegotanextrafreezer

    Reply

  32. Neyha says

    August 13, 2017 at 8:57 am

    Hi! Really excited to make this. Quick question – if I want to use about 2 pounds of meat (32 ounces), would I just multiply all of the chicken and sauce ingredients accordingly (so times 4)?

    Reply

  34. pavitra says

    August 28, 2017 at 11:38 pm


    Your paleo orange chicken look so delicious! I’ve never tried making paleo orange chicken before, but after reading your recipe I feel like I have to. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

  36. Kvbttown says

    September 20, 2017 at 4:45 pm


    This recipe took way longer than 30 min. More like over an hour! It is tasty but takes awhile to make. This is not a quick weeknight meal.

    Reply

      • Miriam says

        November 13, 2017 at 6:52 am


        Just did it. My teething baby next to me in the bouncer, I had to entertain him…..
        The whole process with roasted cauliflower rice and steamed veggies took me 28 min from start to finish. Loved it! (Although I forgot to add the coconut aminos and I just used one chicken breast without weighting it)
        Probably it’s just my breastfeeding self but I would recommend to add some vegetables as the portion is tiny.
        Thank you for the recipe, Taylor. I’m going to make it again.

        Reply

  37. Malia says

    December 28, 2017 at 7:53 pm

    Does the recipe call for bottled orange juice from the store? Or would juicing oranges be best? I’m doing Whole 30, and want to make sure I’m not adding unnecessary sugar (even if technically compliant). Thank you!

    Reply

  39. Jennifer says

    January 7, 2018 at 7:11 pm


    Just found this today and tried it tonight for dinner. Amazing! So good! I tripled the recipe for my hungry family but used chicken thigh meat instead of breast. Thanks for the delicious recipe!

    Reply

  40. Alyssa says

    January 18, 2018 at 8:42 am


    Making this tonight!! Just wanted to ask and make sure.. I made your pineapple firecracker chicken last week (which was delish and will now be in our whole30 rotation! And probably even afterwards, ha!) and you had a note about boiling the sauce for 7-8mins, then low for 2-4 if doubling the recipe. Would that still apply here? And do you think just fresh orange juice would work? Getting a whole bottle wasn’t feasible for the grocery budget (sadly, because I really wanted some!), but I got a ton of oranges with an awesome sale. Figuring since Simply Orange is pure orange juice…. It’d be okay, right??

    Reply

    • Taylor Kiser says

      February 10, 2018 at 3:11 pm

      I honestly can’t tell you as I usually just make enough for when we eat it. I THINK so, but it may be a little less crispy. The taste will be there, the texture may just not be as good! Hope that helps!

      Reply

  42. Julie Shepherd Moore says

    February 24, 2018 at 6:15 am


    This was dinner for us last night and it was REALLY delicious! Two of the three of us still ride the Whole30 train mostly and were amazed that it didn’t seem compromised! Our 16 year old, (with an “unpredictable” palette) loved it! 😉 We served it with fresh steamed green beans. We doubled the recipe to accommodate the family, but tried to stay true to quantities. We wouldn’t change a thing. That little “kick” of ginger/red pepper was just enough to make it perfect! That sauce will be used on shrimp and other things in this house in the future- no doubt! Thanks! We have a new TRIED ‘n TRUE to add to our list!

    Reply

  47. Kasey says

    March 18, 2019 at 9:05 am

    I just wanted to say that I am a big fan of the “jump to recipe” button! I hate coming back to recipes and having to scroll through a long post each time! I’m about to make this for the first time right now!

    Reply

  48. Megan says

    March 24, 2019 at 9:56 am


    I love this recipe! So yummy! I’ve been making this with canned mandirin oranges – using the juice for sauce. That makes this recipe super easy and fast. Sometimes I skip coating the chicken and just cook with salt and pepper.

    Reply

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