If you’ve ever found yourself craving the sweet, zesty, and oh-so-tender takeout classic but need to avoid gluten, this Gluten-Free Orange Chicken Recipe for a Delicious Dinner is your new weeknight hero! Imagine juicy pieces of chicken, cooked until crisp and golden, then tossed in an irresistible orange sauce that bursts with citrusy brightness, a hint of ginger, and just the right touch of sticky sweetness. It’s surprisingly easy to whip up and brings the pure joy of restaurant-style flavor right to your own kitchen table—no gluten or mystery ingredients in sight!

Gluten-Free Orange Chicken Recipe for a Delicious Dinner Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What I love most about this recipe is how every ingredient has a purpose, building layers of flavor and texture that make each bite memorable. These simple gluten-free staples and fresh flavors come together to create the perfect harmony of tangy, sweet, and savory in every forkful.

Chicken Thighs: Juicier and more flavorful than breasts, thighs hold up beautifully to the crisp coating and sticky orange glaze.
Cornstarch: This does double duty to ensure the chicken gets crispy and also helps thicken our luscious sauce.
Large Eggs: Provides a velvety layer for the cornstarch to adhere to, making each piece perfectly coated.
Olive Oil: A healthy cooking fat that keeps everything golden without overpowering the other flavors.
Sesame Oil: Just a tablespoon adds that signature nutty aroma common to your favorite Asian-inspired dishes.
Orange Juice (freshly squeezed preferred): This is the soul of the sauce, adding vibrant citrus flavor that’s fresh and tangy.
Gluten-Free Soy Sauce (or tamari): Delivers the perfect salty, umami depth while keeping the recipe totally gluten-free.
Honey: A natural sweetness that balances the citrus and salt with a gorgeous sticky sheen.
Rice Vinegar: Adds gentle acidity that cuts through the sweetness, giving the sauce pep and brightness.
Orange Zest: Intensifies that orange flavor—don’t skip it!
Garlic Cloves: Minced for fragrance and savoriness that no good orange chicken recipe should be without.
Fresh Ginger: Grated for a subtle, zingy heat and lovely aroma.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional): For those who love a tingle of heat to their sweet and savory sauce.
Cornstarch Slurry: Blending cornstarch and water creates the silky, thick sauce texture that clings so well to every bite.
Sliced Green Onions & Sesame Seeds: For that finishing touch—fresh crunch and visual pop!

How to Make Gluten-Free Orange Chicken Recipe for a Delicious Dinner

Step 1: Coat the Chicken

First things first: dry off your chicken thigh pieces with a paper towel, so the coating sticks. Toss the chicken in cornstarch until every morsel is coated—this will crisp up beautifully when cooked. Next, dip each piece into the beaten eggs, ensuring a thorough coating. These layers help give each bite that classic, craveable texture you love in restaurant-style orange chicken.

Step 2: Cook Until Golden

Heat both the olive oil and sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches (to avoid overcrowding), cook the chicken pieces until they’re a deep, appetizing golden brown and cooked all the way through—usually about 4 to 5 minutes per side. The aroma alone will reel everyone into the kitchen! Once done, transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Orange Sauce

In that same skillet (no need to wash it out), add your orange juice, gluten-free soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, orange zest, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes if you’re using them. Bring everything to a simmer over medium heat; this is where those incredible flavors start to mingle. Meanwhile, mix your cornstarch and water together to make a quick slurry.

Step 4: Thicken and Finish

Pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce, stirring well. Watch as the mixture transforms into a glossy, thick glaze within minutes! Once the sauce is perfectly thickened, return the chicken to the pan and toss everything together so every piece gets evenly coated. Let it all bubble gently for another 2 to 3 minutes to ensure the chicken is heated through and each nugget is drenched in sauce.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Right before serving, sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds over the top of your chicken. This Gluten-Free Orange Chicken Recipe for a Delicious Dinner is now ready to be devoured, looking every bit as good as it tastes!

How to Serve Gluten-Free Orange Chicken Recipe for a Delicious Dinner

Garnishes

Finish your chicken off with a generous shower of sliced green onions and sesame seeds. They add freshness, crunch, and give your dish that signature takeout flair. For extra color, try a scattering of finely chopped cilantro or even a few orange zest curls to echo the flavors inside.

Side Dishes

Steamed jasmine rice is the classic partner, soaking up every drop of the tangy sauce. For a lighter but just as delicious plate, go for cauliflower rice—the orange chicken pops against its snowy-white bed. Lightly sautéed broccoli or snap peas also taste fantastic, offering a pop of green and a slightly bitter balance to the sweet sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re serving family-style, pile your orange chicken onto a big platter, garnish boldly, and let everyone dig in. For a fun twist at a party, set out bowls of the chicken with toothpicks for guests to serve themselves—think orange chicken bites! Or try loading it into lettuce cups for a crisp, hand-held gluten-free treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers will keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors mingle even more as it sits, making tomorrow’s lunch (or midnight snack!) just as tempting.

Freezing

You can freeze this dish; simply let the cooked chicken cool completely, then pack it, sauce and all, into a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. For best texture, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

For the freshest taste and texture, reheat your orange chicken in a skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until warmed through. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works too—just cover and heat in short bursts, stirring to keep that glorious sauce from overheating.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Absolutely! While thighs stay juicier during cooking, chicken breast pieces work very well. Just be careful not to overcook them so they stay tender and moist.

Is this recipe very spicy?

Not at all, unless you add the red pepper flakes. The spice level is totally customizable—leave them out for a mild dish, or add a pinch more for a gentle, balanced heat that doesn’t overpower the citrus sweetness.

What’s the best way to make the chicken extra crispy?

For extra-key crunch, consider air-frying or deep frying the coated chicken before tossing it in the sauce. Pan-frying gets you a delicious golden crust, but air-frying gives a classic restaurant crispiness with less oil.

Can I make the sauce in advance?

Definitely! Prepare the sauce up to two days ahead and keep it refrigerated in a sealed jar. Simply reheat and toss with freshly-made chicken when you’re ready to eat—perfect for meal prep or entertaining.

Is the Gluten-Free Orange Chicken Recipe for a Delicious Dinner kid-friendly?

Yes! It’s naturally sweet and tangy, with only a touch of heat if you choose to add red pepper flakes. Most kids (and grown-ups) are pretty thrilled to see this dish at the table.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’re excited to try making this Gluten-Free Orange Chicken Recipe for a Delicious Dinner in your own kitchen! It’s a total game-changer for gluten-free home cooks craving bold flavors and a cozy homemade meal. Gather your ingredients and treat yourself and your loved ones to this crowd-pleasing, citrusy favorite—you’ll be hooked after just one bite!

Gluten-Free Orange Chicken Recipe for a Delicious Dinner Recipe

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4.6 from 19 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the deliciousness of this gluten-free orange chicken recipe that brings the flavors of Asian cuisine to your dinner table. With a perfect balance of sweet and savory, this homemade takeout dish is sure to become a favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
½ cup cornstarch
2 large eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon sesame oil

For the Orange Sauce:

½ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
¼ cup gluten-free soy sauce (or tamari)
⅓ cup honey
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon orange zest
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)
sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry and coat them evenly with cornstarch. Dip each piece in beaten eggs.
Cook the Chicken: In a skillet, heat olive oil and sesame oil. Cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through.
Make the Orange Sauce: In the same skillet, combine orange juice, soy sauce, honey, vinegar, orange zest, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Thicken with cornstarch slurry.
Combine and Serve: Toss chicken in the sauce, simmer briefly, and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.