If you’re craving a delicious, flavorful dish, our gluten free orange chicken recipe is the perfect choice. This chicken meal brings the same bold, tangy flavors of the traditional orange chicken but with a clean, gluten-free twist. Perfectly crispy chicken pieces are coated in a sweet and tangy orange sauce, creating a gluten-free version of your favorite takeout dish that’s just as tasty as the original.
One night, I decided to make my orange chicken after realizing I was craving the crispy, tangy goodness of takeout but wanted something healthier. I knew I could create a gluten-free version at home with fresh ingredients, and it felt so much better knowing exactly what went into it. After the first bite, I was hooked—my homemade orange chicken was just as delicious, if not better than what I used to get from restaurants.
Best Gluten Free Orange Chicken Recipe
Why is this the best? Because it’s simple, clean, and bursting with orange flavor. The sauce is made with real orange zest, giving it a vibrant freshness. Paired with crispy chicken bites, it’s a cleaner take on the classic Panda Express inspired dish, and it’s completely gluten-free so that everyone can enjoy it.
Making Gluten-Free Orange Chicken in an Air Fryer
Using an air fryer makes this recipe even easier. You’ll get perfectly crispy chicken bites like my popcorn chicken and chicken strips without deep frying or heavy oils. Just coat your chicken pieces in a light breading, spray with oil, and let the air fryer work its magic. It’s a fast, mess-free way to get restaurant-quality results at home.
Orange Chicken with Orange Chicken Sauce
The star of this recipe is the homemade orange sauce. Made with fresh orange zest, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a touch of sweetness, it coats the chicken in a glossy, flavorful glaze. This sauce is not just for chicken—try it over cauliflower coconut rice or even roasted vegetables for a tangy twist.
How To Make This Recipe of Easy Gluten Free Orange Chicken
Enjoy a crispy, flavorful, gluten-free orange chicken made with a zesty, sweet, and tangy sauce. This easy recipe delivers restaurant-quality taste with simple, gluten-free ingredients for a delicious homemade meal.
Kitchen Gadgets:
- Air Fryer: This makes the chicken crispy without too much oil, keeping the recipe lighter and cleaner.
- Tongs: Perfect for flipping and handling the chicken pieces without burning yourself.
- Bowl: You’ll need a few bowls to mix the batter, coat the chicken, and prepare the sauce.
Ingredients:
- Chicken Breast: Use boneless, skinless chicken breast for easy cutting into bite-sized pieces. You can also use chicken thighs for a juicier option.
- Egg: Helps the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken.
- Heavy Cream: Adds a creamy richness to the egg mixture to coat the chicken.
- Breadcrumbs: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to keep the recipe allergy-friendly. Panko breadcrumbs also work for an extra crispy texture.
- Olive Oil: A light spray keeps the chicken golden and crispy in the air fryer.
- Salt: Brings out the natural taste of ingredients.
- Black Pepper: Improve the flavor of the chicken before coating.
- Orange Chicken Sauce: This homemade sauce is the star. It’s sweet, tangy, and flavorful and made with fresh orange zest.
- Sesame Seeds: Adds a nice crunch and nutty flavor to the finished dish.
- Green Onions: Sprinkle over the top for freshness and a pop of color.
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
FULL INSTRUCTIONS WITH STEPS FOR MAKING GLUTEN FREE ORANGE CHICKEN
First Step: Gather Your Ingredients
Start by getting all your ingredients ready and organized. Dice the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and set up your prep station with bowls for the wet and dry coatings. Make sure your air fryer is clean and preheated.
Second Step: Mix the Coatings: Dry and Wet
In one bowl, whisk together the egg and heavy cream for the wet coating. Mix the gluten-free breadcrumbs with salt and black pepper in a second bowl for the dry coating. These two steps are key to getting a crispy, flavorful coating on the chicken.
Third Step: Coat the Chicken Perfectly
Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture first, ensuring it’s fully coated. Then, add the chicken to the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to make sure the coating sticks. Place the coated chicken pieces on a plate, ready to be air-fried.
Fourth Step: Air Fry to Crispy Goodness
Lightly spray the chicken pieces with olive oil and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°Fahrenheit (200°Celsius) for 10 minutes or when it is golden brown. Flip and cook for another 5 minutes for even crispiness.
Fifth Step: Flip, Glaze, and Serve with Orange Sauce
Once the chicken is cooked and crispy, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the warm homemade orange sauce over the chicken and gently toss until evenly coated. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for the perfect finishing touch. Serve immediately and enjoy.
TRICKS AND TIPS:
- Prep Ahead: Dice the chicken, mix the coatings, and prepare the orange sauce in advance. This will save you time when cooking.
- Even Coating: Make sure each chicken piece is fully coated in wet and dry mixtures to get the crispiest results. Gluten free flour can be used as a dry coating.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer to ensure even cooking. If needed, cook in batches.
- Reheat with Care: To reheat leftovers, pop the chicken in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain that crispy texture.
- Flavor: You can always adjust the flavor. For a hint of spice, add red pepper flakes. Sweetness can be adjusted with brown sugar substitutes.
- Orange sauce: add a bit of extra orange juice for a milder flavor or if your sauce is too thick.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What to Serve With Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe?
This orange chicken pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. For a cleaner twist, pair it with fried green tomatoes or cauliflower rice. Add a side of pickled daikon, broccoli sprouts, or crispy onion rings to round out the meal. A sprinkle of sesame seeds or green onions adds an extra pop of flavor and crunch.
To store your gluten-free orange chicken, first, let it cool to room temperature. Place the chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate it for 3-4 days. Keep the orange sauce separate if possible to maintain the chicken’s crispiness.
Can I Freeze the Best Gluten-Free Orange Chicken?
Yes, you can freeze gluten-free orange chicken. After it cools to room temperature, place the chicken in an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag. It’s best to freeze the chicken without the orange sauce to maintain its crispiness.
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Gluten Free Orange Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 Piece Chicken Breast Bonless
- 1 Piece Egg Large
- 1 Tablespoon Heavy Cream
- 1/2 Cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 Cup Orange Chicken Sauce amount to taste
- 2 Tablespoons Sesame Seeds for garnish
- 3 Tablespoons Chopped Green Onions for garnish
Video
Instructions
- Start by getting all your ingredients ready and organized. Dice the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and set up your prep station with bowls for the wet and dry coatings. Make sure your air fryer is clean and preheated.
- In one bowl, whisk together the egg and heavy cream for the wet coating. Mix the gluten-free breadcrumbs with salt and black pepper in a second bowl for the dry coating. These two steps are key to getting a crispy, flavorful coating on the chicken.
- Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture first, ensuring it’s fully coated. Then, add the chicken to the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to make sure the coating sticks. Place the coated chicken pieces on a plate, ready to be air-fried.
- Lightly spray the chicken pieces with olive oil and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°Fahrenheit (200°Celsius) for 10 minutes or when it is golden brown. Flip and cook for another 5 minutes for even crispiness.
- Once the chicken is cooked and crispy, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the warm homemade orange sauce over the chicken and gently toss until evenly coated. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for the perfect finishing touch. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- Prep Ahead: Dice the chicken, mix the coatings, and prepare the orange sauce in advance. This will save you time when cooking.
- Even Coating: Make sure each chicken piece is fully coated in wet and dry mixtures to get the crispiest results. Gluten free flour can be used as a dry coating.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer to ensure even cooking. If needed, cook in batches.
- Reheat with Care: To reheat leftovers, pop the chicken in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain that crispy texture.
- Flavor: You can always adjust the flavor. For a hint of spice, add red pepper flakes. Sweetness can be adjusted with brown sugar substitutes.
- Orange sauce: add a bit of extra orange juice for a milder flavor or if your sauce is too thick.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
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