Ground Orange Chicken Recipe

Ground Orange Chicken Recipe

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Hello, welcome to my beautiful world! My name is Prisca Bush. I am a food lover; I enjoy writing about my favorite recipes. 

 

Introduction

 

I’ll be honest—traditional Ground Orange Chicken Recipe used to intimidate me. I always assumed it had to be deep-fried, heavily battered, and coated in a sugary sauce that required more time and cleanup than I could handle on a weeknight. I loved the flavors, but the effort? Not so much.

Then came the night that changed everything.

I was craving takeout—really craving it—but I also had a pound of ground chicken sitting in the fridge that desperately needed to be used. Out of pure hunger-driven creativity, I decided to see what would happen if I turned classic orange chicken into a simpler, faster, ground meat skillet version. I whisked together a quick sauce, sautéed the chicken, tossed everything together, and hoped for the best.

And let me tell you: it was magic.

This Ground Orange Chicken Recipe has been a staple in my kitchen ever since. It’s bold, bright, citrusy, and just the right amount of sweet and savory. Better yet, it’s made with lean ground chicken—no batter, no deep frying, no stress. It cooks in 20 minutes, uses easy pantry ingredients, and tastes like a lighter, fresher, weeknight-friendly version of the restaurant dish we know and love.

This Ground Orange Chicken Recipe is one of those recipes you’ll find yourself making over and over again. So let’s jump into the delicious world of this homemade Ground Orange Chicken Recipe.

 

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Ingredients for Ground Orange Chicken Recipe

 

Here’s everything you need to bring this flavorful Ground Orange Chicken Recipe to life. Most ingredients are pantry staples or easy to find at any grocery store.

 

For the Chicken

 

  • 1 lb ground chicken (ground turkey works too)
  • 1 tablespoon oil (olive, avocado, or sesame)
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)

 

For the Orange Sauce

 

  • 1 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
  • ¼ cup honey or brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (optional but adds depth)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon chili garlic sauce (optional)

 

For Garnish

 

  • Sliced green onions
  • Toasted sesame seeds
  • Extra orange zest
  • A splash of lime juice

 

How to Prepare Ground Orange Chicken Recipe

 

This Ground Orange Chicken Recipe is designed to be simple, efficient, and weeknight-friendly. Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough so you can get perfect results every time.

 

Step 1: Make the Orange Sauce

 

In a medium bowl, whisk together:

  • Orange juice
  • Orange zest
  • Soy sauce
  • Honey or brown sugar
  • Rice vinegar
  • Hoisin sauce
  • Sesame oil
  • Chili garlic sauce (optional)

Set aside.

This sauce should taste sweet, citrusy, and slightly tangy with a savory backbone. The magic happens once it reduces in the skillet.

 

Step 2: Brown the Ground Chicken

 

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil.

Add the ground chicken, breaking it into crumbles with a spatula.

Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for 5–7 minutes until no longer pink.

Tip: Allow the chicken to brown without stirring too often. A little caramelization adds great flavor.

 

Step 3: Add Aromatics

 

Once the chicken is nearly cooked, stir in:

  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Chili flakes (optional)

Cook another 2–3 minutes until everything is fragrant and softened.

This step gives the dish depth and brings out that signature takeout-style aroma.

 

Step 4: Add the Orange Sauce

 

Pour the orange sauce into the skillet with the chicken and stir to combine.

Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.

Let it cook for 2–3 minutes so the flavors meld.

 

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce

 

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry.
Stir it into the skillet.

Continue simmering for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.

If the sauce becomes too thick, add 1–2 tablespoons of water or orange juice to loosen it.

 

Step 6: Taste and Adjust

 

Taste the dish and adjust:

  • Sweetness → add more honey
  • Saltiness → add soy sauce
  • Citrus → add more zest
  • Spice → add more chili garlic sauce

Once seasoned to perfection, turn off the heat and sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds.

Dinner is ready!

 

How to Serve Ground Orange Chicken Recipe

 

This Ground Orange Chicken Recipe is incredibly flexible—pair it with carbs, veggies, salads, or turn it into a bowl-style meal.

Here are the best serving ideas:

 

1. Serve Over Rice (Classic & Best Option)

 

  • Jasmine rice
  • Brown rice
  • Coconut rice
  • Fried rice

The rice absorbs the savory orange sauce beautifully.

 

2. Serve with Noodles

 

Try with:

  • Lo mein
  • Udon
  • Rice noodles
  • Soba

The sauce clings perfectly to noodles for an ultra-satisfying meal.

 

3. With Cauliflower Rice or Veggies (Low Carb Option)

 

Serve over:

  • Cauliflower rice
  • Roasted broccoli
  • Steamed green beans
  • Stir-fried vegetables

A great high-protein, low-carb dinner.

 

4. Make Orange Chicken Lettuce Wraps

 

Scoop into butter lettuce cups, top with sesame seeds, and enjoy a lighter version.

 

5. Make an Orange Chicken Bowl

 

Include:

  • Rice
  • Shredded carrots
  • Cucumbers
  • Edamame
  • Cabbage slaw
  • Avocado

Finish with sesame seeds and a drizzle of extra sauce.

 

Tips for the Best Ground Orange Chicken Recipe

 

Want to take your dish from good to restaurant quality? Here are some of my best tips:

 

1. Use fresh orange zest

 

The zest adds pure citrus flavor that can’t be replicated by juice alone.

 

2. Let the sauce reduce fully

 

A reduced sauce = thicker, stickier, more flavorful coating on the chicken.

 

3. Add spice slowly

 

Chili garlic sauce is powerful—start small and increase to taste.

 

4. Don’t skip the ginger

 

Fresh ginger gives the dish its signature bright warmth.

 

5. Taste as you go

 

Citrus dishes are all about balance! Adjust the sweetness or acidity as needed.

 

6. Brown the meat well

 

Color equals flavor. Letting the ground chicken caramelize gives the dish a deeper savory base.

 

7. Keep leftover sauce

 

Double the sauce ingredients and store half—it’s excellent for:

  • Stir-fries
  • Roasted vegetables
  • Grilled chicken
  • Salmon

 

Variations of Ground Orange Chicken Recipe

 

One of the best things about this Ground Orange Chicken Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Try one of these incredible variations:

 

1. Spicy Ground Orange Chicken

 

Add:

  • 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sriracha
  • Extra red pepper flakes

Perfect for spice lovers.

 

2. Orange Sesame Chicken

 

Add:

  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
  • Extra sesame seeds

A nuttier, deeper flavor profile.

 

3. Orange Teriyaki Chicken

 

Replace soy sauce with ½ teriyaki + ½ soy for a sweeter, thicker sauce.

 

4. Ground Orange Turkey

 

Swap chicken for ground turkey—slightly richer but still lean.

 

5. Orange Beef

 

Use lean ground beef for a heartier dish with deeper savory notes.

 

6. Veggie-Loaded Ground Orange Chicken

 

Add:

  • Bell peppers
  • Broccoli
  • Snap peas
  • Carrots
  • Zucchini

Add veggies after aromatics and cook until tender.

 

7. Orange Chicken Fried Rice

 

After cooking the chicken:

  • Add cooked rice
  • Extra soy sauce
  • Peas & carrots
  • Scrambled egg

Mix into a delicious one-pan fried rice.

 

8. Gluten-Free Version

 

Use:

  • Gluten-free soy sauce or tamari
  • Cornstarch (naturally GF)
  • Serve with rice or GF noodles

Easy and naturally adaptable.

 

FAQs

 

1. Can I use ground turkey instead of ground chicken?

 

Yes! Ground turkey works perfectly—it’s almost indistinguishable once seasoned.

 

2. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

 

Absolutely. It reheats beautifully for up to 4 days.

 

3. How can I make this recipe healthier?

 

Use:

  • Low-sodium soy sauce
  • Less sugar (start with 2 tbsp)
  • Add extra veggies
  • Serve over cauliflower rice

 

4. Can I freeze ground orange chicken?

 

Yes! Freeze up to 2 months.

Thaw overnight and reheat on the stove.

 

5. Can I use bottled orange juice?

 

Yes—but if possible, use fresh juice + zest for best flavor.

 

6. Is this recipe spicy?

 

Not unless you add chili garlic sauce or red pepper flakes.

It is very kid-friendly without them.

 

7. Can I double the recipe?

 

Definitely. Use a larger skillet and double all ingredients.

 

8. What can I use instead of hoisin sauce?

 

Substitute:

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce + ½ teaspoon honey
    Or simply omit it.

 

9. Why isn’t my sauce thickening?

 

You may need:

  • More heat
  • A bit more cornstarch
  • More reduction time

 

10. What side dishes pair well with orange chicken?

 

Great options:

  • Steamed broccoli
  • Fried rice
  • Cauliflower rice
  • Asian cucumber salad
  • Roasted vegetables

 

Final Thoughts

 

This Ground Orange Chicken Recipe is one of those rare recipes that checks every box: quick, flavorful, healthy-ish, budget-friendly, and unbelievably satisfying. It gives you all the citrusy, sticky-sweet goodness of your favorite takeout without the deep fryer, without the fuss, and without excessive sugar or heavy batter.

Whether you’re meal prepping for the week, cooking for your family, or just craving a bowl of bright, bold, tangy comfort food—this Ground Orange Chicken Recipe belongs in your rotation. It’s flexible, customizable, and guaranteed to become one of your go-to dinners.

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