This Sesame Orange Chicken recipe is the perfect Asian-inspired weeknight meal that’s better than takeout and a healthy choice for the whole family! Make it in 15 minutes or less!!
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Making this Sesame Orange Chicken on a busy weeknight is almost as easy as getting in the car and picking up your favourite Asian takeout for dinner – just a couple ingredients and about 15 minutes stand between you and this Sesame Orange Chicken. If you ask us, that’s pretty good!
Just whip up some rice (or even use instant rice if that’s more your style) and throw some frozen veggies on to steam and you’ve got an amazing, healthy meal that your whole family will love. We think it tastes WAY better than takeout anyway, and we’re pretty sure you will too!
Here are just a few reasons why we love this orange sesame chicken!
- It is EASY to MAKE – This orange chicken recipe with just a few ingredients can be ready in 15 minutes!
- It is a HEALTHY MEAL – Serving your protein, chicken, on a bed of rice or noodles with a side of steamed veggies makes for a well-rounded meal.
- It’s great for BUSY WEEKNIGHTS – When you don’t feel like cooking, this orange chicken recipe saves the day and saves some time, money, and calories!
Follow these tips to make the BEST Sesame Orange Chicken!
Use fresh juice and ginger to give the freshest flavour to the sauce.
Coat the chicken with flour or cornstarch before cooking to make crispy chicken.
Use a large enough skillet so the chicken is not crowded in the pan. The chicken needs time to cook properly and space to allow it to become crispy.
Add in the spices the recipe calls for, but feel free to add red pepper flakes if you prefer spicier chicken.
Stir the chicken in the sauce until it thickens. If the sauce still seems too runny, you can add more flour or cornstarch and stir constantly to prevent lumps.
If you are having trouble with this sesame orange chicken recipe, follow the solutions we recommend below.
If the sauce is too runny for your liking, let it cook in the pan a little longer until it thickens.
The sauce may be lumpy if it is not stirred constantly. Make sure to continually stir the sauce to help it thicken and keep the lumps from forming.
Use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken is cooked through but not overdone (or it will be dry).
If the pan is overcrowded while cooking the chicken, it can prevent the chicken from crisping up. Also, make sure to coat the chicken as the recipe says in cornstarch or flour to make the chicken crispier.
QUICK & EASY WEEKNIGHT MEALS
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To make this orange chicken recipe, you will need these kitchen items on hand (paid links):
- mixing bowls
- Liquid Measuring Cup
- measuring cups and spoons
- wooden spoon
- large skillet or wok
- Whisk
- Cutting Board
- large knife
- Instant Read Thermometer
To make this recipe, you will need these ingredients (paid links):
- 2 medium chicken breasts cut into small cubes (about 1 inch by 1 inch)
- 3 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour (substitute 1 tablespoon cornstarch for gluten-free option)
- a pinch each of sea salt and pepper (optional)
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons orange marmalade
- 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic pressed or finely minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- sesame seeds and/or thinly sliced green onions for garnish
Swap the orange flavour for one of these fruit based sauce alternatives!
- Lemon – Use lemon juice and zest for a less sweet but more tang flavoured sauce.
- Pineapple – For a Hawaiian version, use pineapple juice for a combination of sweet and tangy that also compliments the sesame and soy sauce flavours.
- Mango – Add both Mango puree and mango juice for a tropical flavour to the sesame chicken.
Time needed: 15 minutes
Follow these simple steps to make the BEST Orange Chicken recipe!
- Coat chicken in cornstarch.
Add the chicken breast cubes to a medium bowl along with the cornstarch and flour (and salt and pepper, if using). Stir to coat. Set aside.
- Heat the pan.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Whisk the orange sauce.
While the skillet is heating, whisk together the orange juice, marmalade, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, and cornstarch until well combined. Set aside.
- Add the oils and chicken to pan.
Once the skillet has heated, add the oils and then the chicken coated in the cornstarch and flour.
- Cook the chicken.
Brown the chicken in the skillet until each side is crispy and golden brown and the chicken is cooked through.
- Toss the chicken in sauce until it thickens.
Pour the orange juice mixture over the chicken in the hot skillet and toss the chicken in the sauce until it thickens.
- Serve the chicken.
Serve over rice with a side of steamed veggies.
- Garnish as you desire.
Garnish with sliced green onions and/or sprinkle sesame seeds overtop (if desired).
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Use more cornstarch in place of the all purpose flour if you stick to a gluten-free diet. The added flour helps the chicken get extra crispy, but it’s not necessary.
How do I store the orange chicken leftovers?
Store the chicken in an airtight container in the fridge.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, this orange chicken recipe makes for great meal prep.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
Other chicken can be used but the cook time will be longer. Make sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked properly.
Can I make the orange chicken recipe in an instant pot?
We don’t recommend making this recipe in an Instant Pot because it will steam and become crispy. Instant Pot recipes require extra water or other liquid, which would completely change this recipe.
We hope you love this Sesame Orange Chicken as much as we do! Let us know in the comments below, what’s your favourite takeout recipe to make at home? We’d love to know!
More Easy Meal Ideas
- One Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Fried Rice
- Shrimp Stir Fry
- Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
- Instant Pot Fried Rice with Chicken
- Easy Korean Beef Rice Bowls
- Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry
- One Pot Kung Pao Chicken Pasta
- Vegetable Stir Fry
- Easy Chicken Teriyaki Rice Bowls
- Chicken Stir Fry
Watch the video below to see exactly how we make this quick weeknight meal. You can find more delicious recipe videos on our YouTube channel.
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Sesame Orange Chicken
Recipe: Equipment
Recipe: Ingredients
- 2 medium chicken breasts cut into small cubes (about 1 inch by 1 inch)
- 3 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour (substitute 1 tablespoon cornstarch for gluten-free option)
- a pinch each of sea salt and pepper (optional)
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons orange marmalade
- 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic pressed or finely minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- sesame seeds and/or thinly sliced green onions for garnish
Recipe: Instructions
- Add the chicken breast cubes to a medium bowl along with the cornstarch and flour (and salt and pepper, if using). Stir to coat. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. While it's heating, whisk together the orange juice, marmalade, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, and cornstarch until well combined. Set aside.
- Once the skillet has heated, add the oils and then the chicken coated in the cornstarch and flour.
- Brown the chicken in the skillet until each side is crispy and golden brown and the chicken is cooked through.
- Pour the orange juice mixture over the chicken in the hot skillet and toss the chicken in the sauce until it thickens.
- Serve over rice with a side of steamed veggies.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and/or sesame seeds (if desired).
Recipe: Notes
Recipe: Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
I have been looking for a recipe like this for ages and finally found one. It was delicious. Thanks Chrissie.
So glad you liked it!!
Hi Chrissie, I am making this for supper today. . I see there is sesame oil in both the sauce and to fry with but just once in the recipe? I will go ahead and add 1tsp to the frying oil but wonder what it should be?
No need to add sesame oil to the sauce! Just a little bit to fry with is good enough 🙂
This looks SO incredible!! My kind of healthy meal!!
Thanks so much! I hope you give it a try!
Cannot wait to try this! Always looking for a better option than takeout!
Thanks Jessica! I hope you give it a try!
My favorite healthy dinner!
I’m so glad! We love it too!
This is one of our favorite dishes. So quick and easy now to make at hone, there’s no reason to order take out anymore.
I couldn’t agree more!! I’m so glad you love it!
Love this healthier spin on a classic! Perfect for everyone to enjoy!
Thanks so much!
I don’t know what I am more excited about… the fact that this is a healthier version of one of my faves! OR that it only takes 15 minutes!! Woohoo!
I know, right!? What’s not to love!? I hope you give it a try!
This looks better than takeout!
Thanks so much!!