Gluten Free Orange Chicken

A classic Asian dish to replace another takeout night. You can adjust its sweet and savory flavors by increasing or decreasing the soy sauce to your liking. It’s easy to make, and your family and friends will rave about it.

Once in awhile, despite my citrus allergies, I crave food like this gluten free orange chicken. I remember ordering it, way back when, and my husband and I both enjoyed it. I like to live vicariously through him. So, I often watch him eat what I cannot have. He feels bad, but I told him not to at all. I like to cook and watch others enjoy it. I hope you enjoy this recipe as well. The reviews have been more than encouraging.

This recipe is from my upcoming cookbook, Carla’s 125 Gluten-Free Recipes.

Gluten Free Orange Chicken

41

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours, 35 minutes

Yield: Makes 2 – 3 servings as a main dish

Gluten Free Orange Chicken

A classic Asian dish, gluten free orange chicken. Adjust the savoriness to your liking by increasing or decreasing the soy sauce.

Ingredients:

    For the Chicken:
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 2 tablespoons gluten-free soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature, beaten (optional)
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch or rice flour
  • Neutral-flavored cooking oil, for frying
  • For the Sauce:
  • 2/3 cup pulp-free orange juice
  • 1/3 cup orange marmalade
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon gluten-free soy sauce, or to taste

Instructions:

    To Make the Chicken:
  1. Place the chicken in a bowl and top with soy sauce, water, and ginger. Cover, refrigerate, and marinate for at least 2 hours.
  2. If you prefer to have a thick crust on the chicken, dip the chicken pieces in beaten egg.
  3. Add 1/4 cup cornstarch or rice flour to a paper bag. Add the marinated chicken and shake to thoroughly coat. Shake off the excess flour; transfer to a plate.
  4. Preheat a heavy skillet over medium heat with 1 inch of oil or enough to cover the pieces of chicken.
  5. Working in batches, fry the chicken pieces until they are golden brown. Transfer chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  6. To Make the Sauce:
  7. Just prior to serving, in a cold saucepan, whisk together orange juice, marmalade, 2 teaspoons of cornstarch and salt. Simmer over medium heat. Add soy sauce a little at a time and stop when it reaches your desired level of flavor.
  8. Add fried chicken. Lightly toss to coat all pieces. Serve immediately.

9 Replies to “Gluten Free Orange Chicken”

  1. I was skeptical that I could pull this dish off and we were amazed. It was SOOOO good! Celiac husband could not stop eating. Thank you!

  2. Facebook Comment – Feb. 5, 2015,

    “Made this tonight–I mixed the cornstarch directly in with the marinated chicken after marinating just 1 hr. because I was in a hurry and it was fine! Also cut the meat smallish so it would cook faster! Added some red pepper flakes to the sauce to give it some ‘kick’ like the Panda Express version! Also doubled the sauce recipe and used a bit more than a pound of chicken BREASTS vs. thighs. Served with white rice and stir-fried veggie mix! Great meal–recipe is a keeper!”

    ~J.S.H.

  3. Love this recipe. Made it last night with chicken and pork, and served it with a jar of sweet and sour sauce (I’m SO LAZY!) in addition to the orange. I served it with a simple fried rice.
    Fry a chopped onion and a couple carrots cut in to rounds until tender, push to the side of the pan and scramble a couple eggs, then throw in a cup each of frozen corn and peas. Mix up and heat, then sprinkle on some ginger, and add cooked rice. Shake (GF) soy sauce over the top, and cook till warm. I also add a handful of Costco’s bacon bits, and sometimes some cooked shrimp.

  4. I recently made this orange chicken and it was delicious! There were 4 of us having dinner, with me being the only celiac. Everyone loved the chicken. I’m so glad to have a recipe for this that I can eat. Thank you!

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