Description

This Skinny Orange Chicken recipe is a flavorful, healthier twist on a classic takeout favorite. Featuring tender, bite-sized chicken breast pieces cooked in a tangy and sweet orange sauce made from orange marmalade, low sodium chicken broth, and a punch of ginger and garlic, it’s a quick 30-minute meal perfect for busy weeknights. The sauce simmers to a luscious thickness and coats the chicken beautifully for a satisfying dish served best over rice.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

3 – 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
Cooking spray (for skillet)
Salt and pepper, to taste

Sauce

1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
1 cup sweet orange marmalade (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

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Instructions

Prepare the Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the chicken broth, orange marmalade, BBQ sauce, low sodium soy sauce, ground ginger, onion powder, and minced garlic. Whisk the ingredients together until well blended. Place the saucepan on medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to reduce slightly. Whisk in the cornstarch and continue to simmer until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
Cook the Chicken: While the sauce simmers, spray a large skillet with cooking spray and heat it over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken breasts to the skillet, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken until it is no longer pink in the center and has a slightly golden exterior, about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally to cook evenly.
Combine and Serve: Pour the thickened orange sauce directly into the skillet with the cooked chicken. Stir thoroughly to coat all the chicken pieces evenly with the flavorful sauce. Serve this delicious Skinny Orange Chicken hot over a bed of steamed rice or your preferred side dish. Enjoy!

Notes

Using low sodium ingredients helps control the salt content in the dish.
If preferred, substitute chicken breasts with boneless skinless thighs for juicier meat.
Serve with steamed vegetables or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
To make it spicier, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce while simmering.
Ensure the sauce is fully simmered to properly thicken before adding to the chicken.