Craving Chinese takeout but can’t trust the kitchen to be safe? You are not alone. This Gluten Free Orange Chicken is here to satisfy that craving with all the crispy, sticky, sweet-and-savory glory of the original, but with none of the wheat.
Table of Contents
This recipe is a total lifesaver for busy weeknights. It comes together faster than delivery and tastes so much fresher.
You get bite-sized pieces of golden, crispy chicken tossed in a glossy, tangy orange sauce that clings to every piece. It is the ultimate comfort food meal that the whole family will devour.
A Little Story About This Dish
I vividly remember the first time I walked past a food court after going gluten-free. The smell of that sticky orange chicken was mesmerizing, but I knew I couldn’t have even a single bite because of the breading and the soy sauce.
I decided right then that I wasn’t going to live without it. I went to the kitchen determined to replicate that addictive flavor profile. I swapped the flour for cornstarch to get an even crispier coating and used Tamari to get that rich umami flavor safely.
The result was this Gluten Free Orange Chicken. It captures everything I missed about the classic dish—the crunch, the citrus kick, and the sticky sweetness—without any of the worry.
Get Ready to Cook!
You are about to whip up a restaurant-quality meal in your own kitchen. Let’s look at what you need to get that perfect balance of textures.
What to Expect
Time: About 30 minutes from start to finish.
Difficulty: Easy! The cornstarch coating technique makes this foolproof.
Before You Begin
The secret to this recipe is the cornstarch. It creates a light, crispy coating that absorbs the sauce without getting soggy immediately.
For the sauce, using fresh orange juice and zest gives a vibrant brightness that bottled juice just can’t match.
Make sure your skillet is hot before adding the chicken. A hot pan ensures a good sear and keeps the breading intact.
The Heart of the Dish: Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are the safe, simple ingredients for this delicious meal.
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Gluten Free Breaded Chicken: | |
| Chicken (tenderloins or breasts), cut into bite-sized pieces | 2 pounds |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon |
| Ground Pepper | ½ teaspoon |
| Cornstarch | ½ cup |
| Oil | ¼ cup (approx.) |
| Gluten Free Orange Chicken Sauce: | |
| Gluten-Free Tamari Soy Sauce | ¼ cup |
| Rice Vinegar | ¼ cup |
| Orange Juice | ¼ cup |
| Water | ¼ cup |
| Brown Sugar, packed | ¼ cup |
| Cornstarch | 1 tablespoon |
| Minced Garlic | ½ teaspoon |
| Crushed Red Pepper Flakes | ¼ teaspoon |
| Orange Zest | 1 tablespoon |
| Green Onions | For garnish |
Let’s Get Cooking! Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps for a sticky, savory dinner that beats the restaurant version every time.
1. Coat the Chicken:
Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. While it warms up, place the cornstarch in a large bowl. Season it with the salt and pepper. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the bowl and toss them well until every piece is evenly coated in the starch.
2. Sear the Chicken:
Add just enough oil to the hot skillet to coat the bottom. Add the chicken pieces. It is best to do this in a single layer, so you might need to work in batches.
3. Cook Until Golden:
Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally, until it is cooked through and crispy golden brown on the outside.
4. Whisk the Sauce:
While the chicken cooks, whisk together the Tamari, rice vinegar, orange juice, water, brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and orange zest in a small bowl. Make sure the cornstarch dissolves completely.
5. Simmer and Thicken:
Once the chicken is fully cooked, pour the sauce mixture directly into the hot skillet with the chicken. Simmer and stir constantly. The sauce will bubble and thicken rapidly, coating the chicken in a glossy glaze.
6. Garnish and Serve:
Turn off the heat. Garnish with fresh chopped green onions if you like. Serve immediately, perhaps with some steamed rice for the full experience.
Mastering the Dish: Pointers for Perfection & How to Store
Here are a few tips to make your gluten free orange chicken truly exceptional.
Pointers for Perfection
If you want the crispiest chicken possible, do not crowd the pan. Cooking in batches ensures the chicken sears rather than steams. For a spicy kick, increase the red pepper flakes. You can also customize this recipe! Swap the orange juice for pineapple juice for sweet and sour chicken, or use honey instead of brown sugar for a sesame honey chicken version.
How to Store
This dish is best eaten fresh while the chicken is still crispy. However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet to help re-crisp the coating slightly.
Check out these recipes if you want to bring some fresh ideas to your gluten-free kitchen:
- Gluten Free Cozy One-Pot Chicken and Rice
- Sticky Apple Cider Chicken with Crisp Autumn Slaw
- Honey Sesame Chicken Panda Express Copycat (Gluten-Free!)
Gluten Free Orange Chicken (Crispy & Saucy!)
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Better than takeout! This Gluten Free Orange Chicken features crispy, cornstarch-coated chicken tossed in a sticky, sweet, and savory fresh orange sauce. It is completely safe, delicious, and ready in 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Gluten Free Breaded Chicken:
2 pounds Chicken (tenderloins or breasts), cut into bite-sized pieces
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground pepper
½ cup Cornstarch
¼ cup Oil, Approximately
Gluten Free Orange Chicken Sauce:
¼ cup Tamari Gluten Free Soy Sauce
¼ cup Rice Vinegar (or white distilled vinegar)
¼ cup Orange Juice
¼ cup Water
¼ cup Brown Sugar, Packed (or honey/coconut sugar)
1 tablespoon Cornstarch
½ teaspoon Minced Garlic
¼ teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1 tablespoon Orange Zest
Green onions, to garnish
Instructions
1. Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Place ½ cup cornstarch in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Add the chicken pieces and toss until evenly coated.
3. Add enough oil to coat the bottom of the hot skillet. Add the chicken (cook in batches if necessary to avoid crowding) and cook, stirring occasionally, until cooked through and golden brown.
4. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the Tamari, rice vinegar, orange juice, water, brown sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, garlic, red pepper flakes, and orange zest.
5. Once the chicken is cooked, pour the sauce mixture into the hot skillet.
6. Simmer and stir constantly until the sauce thickens and glazes the chicken.
7. Garnish with green onions and serve hot with steamed rice.
Notes
Crispy Tip: Brown chicken in batches to ensure it gets crispy rather than steaming.
Soy-Free: Use Coconut Aminos instead of Tamari for a soy-free version (reduce sugar slightly as aminos are sweeter).
Sweetener Options: You can substitute honey or coconut sugar for the brown sugar.
Variations: Swap orange juice for pineapple juice for Sweet & Sour Chicken, or use honey and sesame oil (omitting orange) for Sesame Chicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Dinner
- Method: Pan Fry, Skillet
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 508
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 1105mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 142mg
Your Burning Questions Answered!
Here are answers to common questions about finding safe orange chicken.
1. Is there gluten free orange chicken?
Yes, but usually only if you make it at home or buy specific frozen brands. Brands like gluten free orange chicken Real Good Foods, or items found at gluten free orange chicken Aldi sections, offer convenience options, but making it from scratch gives you better flavor and texture control.
2. Does Panda Express have gluten free orange chicken?
No. Panda Express prepares its orange chicken with wheat flour breading and soy sauce containing wheat. Furthermore, the cross-contamination risk in their kitchens is extremely high, so a gluten free orange chicken restaurant experience at Panda Express is not currently possible safely.
3. What does Panda have that’s gluten-free?
Panda Express has very limited options. Plain steamed white rice is generally a safe ingredient, but cross-contamination remains a major concern. Most sauces and entrees contain wheat, soy sauce, or flour. It is safer to make your own satisfying fake-out meals at home.
Dig In & Enjoy!
You are ready to enjoy a fantastic, sticky, and sweet dinner that is completely safe. Enjoy every crispy bite of your homemade Gluten Free Orange Chicken!
To stay in the loop with my projects and new content, I invite you to follow me on Pinterest.