I enjoy eating out at restaurants, but I don’t like the expense or not knowing what’s in my food. Since I’ve started eating healthier, I pay close attention to whether my meat has antibiotics or hormones. It’s not always avoidable (sometimes you’re not given an option and especially where we live, we don’t have Chipotle with non GMO foods), but I try to choose healthier options whenever possible.
One great way to eat healthier but still enjoy favorite restaurant-style dishes is to recreate them ourselves so we know exactly what we’re eating. The bonus part is it’s more affordable too!
One Skillet Healthy Orange Chicken and Rice is one of those delicious meals.
Instead of the usual heavy, loaded with calories and sugar, Orange Chicken from the Chinese food restaurant, you can make this healthier version right at home.
One Skillet Healthy Orange Chicken and Rice is sweetened with a little honey and agave (you can use all honey if you want) instead of pure sugar and it tastes amazing.
The other great thing about this tasty meal is that it’s one skillet (less cleanup!) and only takes about 20 minutes to make. You can have a tasty healthier version at home in about the same amount of time it would take you to order from a restaurant!
ONE SKILLET HEALTHY ORANGE CHICKEN AND RICE
A quick-and-easy homemade version of Orange Chicken and Rice that’s sure to become a favorite meal
- Total Time: 20
Ingredients
- 4 cups brown rice, prepared according to box directions
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half (about 2 pounds), and lightly pounded so the breasts are even thickness.
- 1 TBS sesame oil
- salt
- pepper
- ¾ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup agave (or omit and use ½ cup honey total)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 inch fresh ginger, peeled and minced
- ⅓ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 3 TBS cornstarch
- 3 green onions, diced
- 1 TBS sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat sesame oil over medium heat. Sprinkle salt and pepper generously over chicken breasts, on both sides. Add chicken to skillet, and cook on medium high for 4 minutes. Flip chicken over and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until almost cooked through.
- In a medium bowl combine orange juice through cornstarch; whisk well to combine. Pour into skillet, and bring to a boil over medium/high heat. Sauce will begin to thicken, turn heat down to low; allow to simmer 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove chicken breasts from skillet and slice into pieces. Place ½ – ¾ cup of brown rice into bowl, top with chicken breast slices. Spoon sauce over the top; garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
Have you checked out these other tried-and-true family favorite meals?
Easy Chicken and Dumplings Casserole
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
My family would LOVE this meal. I am going to have to try it 🙂
Jenn @TheRebelChick says
Erika, this looks amazing! Thank you for sharing your recipe, I just pinned it to try this weekend!
Laura (Lauras Little House Tips) says
This is seriously amazing. I bookmarked it. I cannot wait to make it. I recently had orange chicken for the first time and thought my mouth was in heaven 🙂
Dawn says
Thanks so much for sharing this! It’s healthy, delicious, and I’m always sold when I see “one skillet”!
Meagan says
I love skillet meals! This seriously looks fantastic! Going to try this!
Kelly Hutchinson says
Orange Chicken is one of my favorite meals from the Chinese restaurant. I hate the price, so I love your recipe!
Dee Mauser says
I love when I can make meals in just one pan. Then there is less clean up. That recipe looks very yummy!
Tess says
Our family would love this. I love to make our dinner healthy.
Shauna says
Oh this sounds delicious. I am pinning for later. Thanks for sharing…
Amanda says
This looks even better than what you would get at a restaurant! I showed it to my husband too, we can’t wait to try it
Lena Burkut says
Oh, this is a perfect dinner – it has everything I would expect from a perfect dinner. I.Want.It.
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos says
This looks amazing! I’d love to try this and soon, one skillet is a great thing. Less time cooking and cleaning!
Tammileetips says
This looks delicious!! I love to find new ways to make healthy food for my husband!
Emily says
My 5 yo would LOVE this. I think I have to add it to try. I’ve never had orange chicken before – but this looks so healthy and fresh! Plus one pan is my kinda clean up!
Sharon says
This looks delicious. I’m excited to try it.
Emily @ Baby Dickey says
Pinned it! This looks delicious. I know my husband would LOVE it, too. I might even try it with quinoa instead of rice.. hmm..
Kim Henrichs says
This looks so yummy!! Definitely saving to make.
Theresa says
The recipe directions do not mention the use of all the ingredients. No where does it mention what to do with the honey / garlic / vinegar / soy sauce or red pepper flakes.
Theresa says
sorry. i see now, brain freeze LOL
Krystle says
This was delicious (better than takeout!) but the sauce was a little too thick. What’s the best way to thin it out a bit?
Erika says
You can add a little more cornstarch. I’d try 1/2 tbsp more and go from there. I’m glad you enjoyed this!
Amber says
I’m pretty sure it will turn out good but the instructions for the recipe do not give instructions on what to do with soy sauce honey ginger garlic and vinegar. It says to add a scoop cornstarch to orange juice cook and remove the chicken breast it never says what to do with the rest of the ingredients do you add it to the orange juice mixture do you believe in the top of the chicken when it’s done??????
Erika says
Yes, you spoon the sauce over the chicken. Hope you enjoy it!