20 minute dinner brought to you by this insanely delicious and easy paleo orange chicken! A simple sauce with no sugar added, paired with juicy chicken and crunchy cashews.
Happy Wednesday! Every day this month feels super jam packed, so I’m resorting to all my favorite super simple meals! This orange chicken comes from a recipe on my old site, with just a few tweaks to make it even better than before! It’s one of those meals where you’re like “wait…how is something this easy SO good!?” And healthy 😉
The sauce is made from healthy, simple ingredients:
- Coconut aminos
- Juice of an orange
- Rice Vinegar
- Tomato paste
- Sesame oil
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Red pepper flakes
The chicken gets coated in tapioca flour (or starch; you can sub arrowroot starch here!), then sautéed quickly before simmering in the delicious sauce with the cashews. Don’t skip the tapioca (or arrowroot), as it helps to thicken the sauce!
You honestly won’t believe there is no sugar added to this sauce! It’s got the most perfect natural sweetness, and SO much flavor. I’m in love!
We love to pair this with jasmine rice. I make mine in the Instant Pot in 5 minutes, then toss in some steamed broccoli!
Making rice in the Instant Pot:
What you need:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup rice
- 1 tsp avocado oil
- sea salt (optional)
Combine all ingredients in the Instant Pot with a quick stir. Lock the lid in place, then set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on HIGH for 5 minutes. Once the timer goes off for the 5 minutes, allow to sit and naturally release pressure for 5 minutes. Press the pressure release button to release any remaining pressure, then serve!
The Instant pot I have is linked here. I love it so much, especially for basic meal additions like this rice!
I am so excited for you guys to try this easy 20 minute dinner! This will totally be a new staple for you if you’re forever obsessed with takeout style meals like me!
Enjoy! xx
Print
Prep Time:
Yield:
Category:
Print
PinDescription
Super simple no sugar added orange cashew chicken!
Ingredients
For the sauce:
- 1/3 cup coconut aminos
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- Juice of 1 orange
- 1 tsp of sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger or 1 inch piece of fresh ginger minced
- Few good cracks of black pepper
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
For the chicken:
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1.5 lbs chicken breasts, sliced into bite sized pieces
- 2 tbsp tapioca starch
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/3 cup raw cashews
For garnish: chives or green onion, sesame seeds
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients for the sauce together in a bowl. Set aside.
- Toss the chicken pieces in the tapioca starch until evenly coated.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the avocado oil, then stir in the chicken and season with 1/2 tsp sea salt. Allow to cook, stirring occasionally, until cooked through (about 9-12 minutes).
- Add the sauce and cashews. Reduce heat to a simmer. Allow to simmer until sauce slightly thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Serve with fresh chives and sesame seeds (optional).
Colleen
I made this and shared with my boyfriend. He told me over 15 times how good it was and it was “the best thing I’ve ever made him” (I cook all the time so that was a serious compliment). Trying to limit takeout, so this is the perfect solution. Going into our rotation for sure. Oh I didn’t have cashews so I used slivered almonds and it totally satisfied.
★★★★★
Mia Zarlengo
No way!!! Thank you so much 🙂
Rachel
This tasted way better than any takeout I’ve ever had.
★★★★★
Mia Zarlengo
Wow!! Huge compliment- thank you Rachel!! xoxo
Izzy
I made this for my family and they absolutely loved it! Thank you Mia! It’s so easy to make and I will for sure be making it more often.
★★★★★
Mia Zarlengo
Thank you Izzy! So glad the fam enjoyed it xoxo
Michelle
SO MUCH FLAVOR wow!! I made this with some vegetarian friends for dinner & we simply replaced the chicken with baked cauliflower. Literally every recipe I have tried from this blog has knocked my socks off
★★★★★
Mia Zarlengo
Wow this just made my day!!! Thank you Michelle! 🙂
Lisa
Wish I could give this more stars!! We loved this! It didn’t lack flavor at all and I added extra veggies, PERFECTION!
★★★★★
Jackie
I seriously make this recipe at least once per week! So delicious and satisfying! My go to chicken recipe 🙂
★★★★★
Melody
We have a house full of little picky eaters (with food allergies), but any of Mia’s recipes are easily devoured by all of us no promvlem! I’ve never cooked with citrusy before and was SO happy I tried this recipe! My husband and kids were licking their plates!
★★★★★
Melody
*problem*
Sarah
Honestly never thought I would make homemade orange chicken. I thought it was generally an unhealthy, guilty pleasure. BUT this recipe is amazing! My boyfriend and I both love it and make it almost every week. You won’t be disappointed by this!
★★★★★
Abby
So good & easy!! A healthy twist on take-out favorite. I can’t wait to try the tofu version!
★★★★★
Allie
This recipe is delicious and an amazing alternative to getting take out. I will definitely be making this recipe again. So quick to make and great as leftovers too!
★★★★★
Amber
Y’all… you will NOT be disappointed. This recipe is so delicious! I’ve made multiple times for family and friends and it has been a favorite! It’s now a constant dinner rotation.
★★★★★
Maria D.
I’ve made this recipe 3x times in the last month and shared it to a handful of friends/family members. It’s going to be a forever favorite!
Love how fresh it tastes, doesn’t weigh you down like the take out version.
I’ve also successfully made it with chicken thighs, with whole wheat flour instead of tapioca starch, and Thai Lime & Chili Cashews from Trader Joe’s. It’s basic and flexible enough and I always have the ingredients on hand!
★★★★★
Natalie
So delicious!
★★★★★
Jena
A weeknight staple in my house. So tasty!
★★★★★
Mia Zarlengo
Love hearing that Jena! We make this or the tofu version weekly over here too! xo
Stephanie C
Wow! Wow! That’s literally all I can say! Just made this tonight and it was amazing! The hubby went back for seconds so that’s always a good sign. Such an easy weeknight recipe. Definitely adding it into our rotation! Thank you Mia for your easy and delicious recipes!
★★★★★
Mia Zarlengo
This truly makes me SO happy!! Thank you for the sweet note Stephanie- so happy you and your hubs enjoyed it 🙂
Karina
This was such an easy and DELICIOUS recipe!!! Thank you Mia for giving us such easy and nutritious options!!
★★★★★
Natalie
Absolutely loved this recipe, so quick and easy. I saved the extra sauce and I’m going to try to use it to top some baked salmon with it tonight.
★★★★★
Mia Zarlengo
Ohh that sounds delish with Salmon!! SO glad you liked it Natalie 🙂