Description
This Skinny Orange Chicken recipe offers a healthier twist on the classic favorite with juicy, bite-sized chicken breast cubes cooked in a flavorful, homemade orange sauce made from sweet orange marmalade, low sodium chicken broth, and a blend of spices. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a quick, delicious meal perfect for a weeknight dinner served over rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 3 – 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Cooking spray
Orange Sauce
- 1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup sweet orange marmalade (e.g., Smuckers)
- 1/4 cup Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce
- 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the chicken broth, sweet orange marmalade, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, ground ginger, onion powder, and minced garlic. Whisk the mixture thoroughly to combine all ingredients. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a low boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to reduce slightly.
- Thicken the Sauce: Whisk the cornstarch into the simmering sauce gradually to avoid lumps, and continue simmering for a few more minutes until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
- Cook the Chicken: Spray a large skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken breasts in a single layer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center, about 12 minutes. Season lightly with salt and black pepper during cooking.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Pour the thickened orange sauce into the skillet with the cooked chicken. Stir gently to coat all the chicken pieces evenly with the sauce. Allow it to heat together for 1 to 2 minutes so the flavors integrate.
- Serve: Serve the orange chicken hot over a bed of steamed rice or your choice of side. Enjoy this delicious, healthier take on a classic favorite.
Notes
- Using low sodium chicken broth and soy sauce helps keep this recipe heart-healthy and lower in salt.
- The sweet orange marmalade provides natural sweetness, so additional sugar is unnecessary.
- To make the dish gluten-free, ensure the soy sauce is gluten-free or substitute with tamari.
- Adjust the simmer time for the sauce if you prefer a thicker or thinner consistency.
- If cooking for a crowd, the recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.
