20 Minute Paleo Orange Chicken Recipe: Air Fryer

Make this paleo orange chicken recipe the next time you’re craving Chinese takeout! It’s healthy, easy, and is made in just 20 minutes in the air fryer. This is a flavorful, healthier, completely paleo version of a classic takeout food. With juicy chicken and a sticky, sweet orange sauce that cooks so quickly making this a perfect weeknight meal.

I don’t know about you, but some nights cooking just seems like a hassle. Whether it’s just been a long day, you got caught up in work, or just generally don’t feel like making anything, it’s natural to turn to your phone to order take out. Chinese food is a very common dinner to order, and while it is delicious, it’s not necessarily known for being the healthiest. Well, what if I told you that in the same amount of time it takes you to order your food, you can have a piping hot version of your favorite takeout that’s just as good and way healthier? Sound good to you?

This homemade orange chicken recipe is so easy and can be made in just 20 minutes. The chicken is lightly breaded and air fried to get a crispy crust. While that’s cooking, you can make the super flavorful, sticky orange sauce, then toss the air fried chicken in it. Serve your meal over cauliflower rice with a side of air fried broccoli and you’ve got an incredible, healthy dinner in no time at all. It’s so quick and so easy that even beginner cooks will have no problems.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS 20 MINUTE DINNER

• It’s quick and easy
• Completely paleo
• Cooks in less than 20 minutes in the air fryer
• Delicious, sweet, sticky sauce
• An easy dinner the whole family will love

PALEO ORANGE CHICKEN INGREDIENTS

• Chicken Breasts: A great lean protein, that cooks so quickly in the air fryer
• Egg: This is the binder for the chicken breading
• Tapioca Flour: You can use arrowroot starch in it’s place, I just prefer tapioca flour
• Orange Juice: I like to use fresh squeezed orange juice, but it you’re going to use bottled make sure the ingredients are 100% orange juice
• Date Syrup: This adds a nice caramelly flavor to the sauce, but you can use honey in it’s place though
• Rice Vinegar: The vinegar adds a necessary bite, that cuts the sweetness and boosts the flavor. White wine vinegar will also work though
• Coconut Aminos: These are a replacement for soy sauce because soy isn’t part of the paleo diet. It’s a simple swap, and I promise you won’t be able to tell the difference.
• Spices: I use dried spices for convenience. Garlic powder, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes give the sauce the best flavor.

HOW TO MAKE PALEO ORANGE CHICKEN IN THE AIR FRYER

1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together orange juice, date syrup, rice vinegar, coconut aminos, spices, and 1 tablespoon of tapioca starch.
2. Place the pot on the stove over medium heat and let it start to come to a boil. Once it starts boiling, cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. In the meantime, bread the chicken. In a small bowl whisk 1 egg, in a separate small bowl add the tapioca flour. Coat chicken pieces one at a time into the egg, dredge it in the tapioca flour, then place into the basket of your air fryer
4. Repeat with remaining chicken, spray the pieces liberally with olive oil cooking spray and air fry at 380 degrees f for 6 minutes. After that time, use tongs to flip, spray the other side of the chicken, and cook for another 5-6 minutes.
5. Remember to stir the sauce, and turn off the heat after it’s thickened (10 minutes). Toss the cooked chicken in the hot sauce,
6. Serve and enjoy!

DO I HAVE TO AIR FRY THIS RECIPE?

No, you don’t have to air fry this paleo orange chicken recipe, you could also cook it on the stove top. In a large skillet, add 1-2 tablespoons of sesame oil or olive oil over medium heat. Bread the chicken as directed above, and cook it in the hot oil until golden brown on each side. Toss the cooked chicken in the healthy orange sauce, and enjoy!

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

You can enjoy this healthy orange chicken recipe any way you like! It has so much flavor that the chicken is amazing by itself, but I personally like serving it with

• Cauliflower rice
• A side of broccoli
• Green beans
• Cassava flour orzo (as a rice substitute)
• Riced broccoli (can be found in the frozen aisle)
• Riced sweet potatoes (can also be found in the frozen aisle)

Finish your meal off with a sprinkle of green onions and sesame seeds and you’ve got a paleo orange chicken that rivals the taste of the real thing.

STORING AND REHEATING INSTRUCTIONS

If by any chance there’s leftovers of this AMAZING meal, they’re best stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. I recommend storing the sauce and cauliflower rice separately because it tends to absorb the sauce, however it’s still delicious no matter what. The best way to reheat the chicken in in a large non-stick skillet with a tablespoon of water over medium/low heat. You can heat the cauliflower rice and broccoli in a separate pan, or mix it all together and make a leftover orange chicken stir fry type situation.

EXPERT TIPS

• Read the entire recipe first
• Cut the chicken into equal sizes so they cook evenly
• Bread each chicken bite one at a time for best results, doing them as a big batch makes them stick together and not get as crispy
• Let the sauce boil for about 10 minutes, but if you notice it getting too thick, then turn the heat off
• Add an extra tablespoon of date syrup if you want a sweeter sauce
• Rice isn’t technically considered paleo, but some people eat it. Do what you feel comfortable with

Did you make this paleo orange chicken recipe? If you did, I would appreciate you leaving a comment and star rating down below. In addition, follow me on Instagram @coleinthekitchen and tag me if you make this or any other of my easy recipes.

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