Orange Chicken
This grain-free / paleo orange chicken recipe is friendly to a paleo diet, and even adaptable to the autoimmune paleo protocol. This is a “real food” based recipe free of soy, gluten, grains, corn, sesame, dairy– the list goes on. Make this for someone who hasn’t been able to eat Chinese food due to dietary restrictions, or as a treat for yourself. Because you deserve something that is good to you AND good for you!
Oddly, I got very good at creating flavors I missed, when I had no choice but to go through the autoimmune paleo protocol. I’ve always been a cook and a foodie, and I had to change my entire approach to feeding myself to achieve success in autoimmune recovery. To read more about my story of recovery, check out my blog about it right here.
In the process of recovering, I really missed “normal” food. I’ve been gluten-free for much longer, which puts a damper in things. However, since most Chinese restaurants cook with soy, corn, and gluten, there was no way it could have fit within my intolerances.
I just wanted to feel a little “normalcy,” even just a little bit. I thought I would try to re-create some of my cherished favorites, that are now a distant memory. I cannot necessarily attest that this is just like thee orange chicken (🐼), as I have not had it in at least a decade. However, I can say that this is delicious, and worth making. Even if you’re just making the sauce.
Notes on Paleo Orange Chicken Recipe
This recipe is paleo-friendly, autoimmune paleo friendly, grain-free, gluten-free, soy-free, corn-free, could be adapted to be nut-free and nightshade-free. It’s naturally dairy-free. Also, it’s really delicious.
I prefer to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. You can use chicken breast. Adaptations are absolutely fine.
You can substitute cornstarch for the arrowroot, and vice versa. (ETA, 1/12/2024)However note that doing so will make it NOT grain-free.
I bake it, because I can use parchment and thus it minimizes clean up. You may cook this chicken a variety of ways. You may even just marinate it in ginger and soy sauce and stir fry it with some orange sauce. This recipe isn’t a law. Don’t be afraid to take liberties! ✨ Just make sure to tell me on social media, because I may want to try it! 👀
Grain-Free Orange Chicken
Ingredients
Orange Sauce:
- 2 c orange juice without pulp
- ¼ c coconut aminos
- ¾ c apple cider vinegar
- ⅓ c honey
- 2 tsp ginger grated
- Zest of one large orange optional
- 2 tbsp arrowroot mixed with 1 tbsp coldwater
- Pinch of salt
- 2-3 tsp crushed red pepper or more! Omit for AIP!
Chicken:
- 2 lbs chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 c arrowroot starch
- 1 c almond flour for AIP, substitute coconut flour
- 1 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 1.5 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 C avocado oil
Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 400ºF.
- Mix together arrowroot, almond/coconut flour, sea salt, and onion powder together in a bowl. Coat thoroughly, pat off excess, and set aside.
- Once all chicken is breaded, pour in avocado oil and toss to coat.
- Place chicken onto a sheet pan prepared with parchment paper, and bake for 25-30 minutes.
While that’s baking, get your orange sauce started!
- Pour orange juice into a 1-2 quart sauce pan and reduce juice volume by half, over medium heat.
- Add in coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, zest, ginger, salt, and crushed red pepper if using.
- Raise heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil. Pour in arrowroot slurry, and whisk well.
- Bring heat down to low, and thickened. Remove from heat.
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