Easy Orange Ground Chicken Recipe (25-Minutes)
This orange ground chicken is a quick and flavorful dish that brings bold, tangy citrus and savory soy together in one pan. Ready in just 25 minutes, it's a lighter, faster take on orange chicken using lean ground chicken.Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or satisfying a takeout craving without the guilt. Serve it with rice, veggies, or in wraps—this versatile recipe is sure to become a staple!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil avocado or sesame oil recommended
- ½ cup orange juice freshly squeezed for best flavor
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- ¼ cup soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
- 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar for a richer flavor
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
Optional toppings:
- sliced green onions, sesame seeds, crushed red pepper flakes
Optional add-ins:
- chopped bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas
Instructions
Brown the Chicken
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until fully browned and cooked through (about 5–6 minutes). Drain excess liquid if needed.
Make the Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and cornstarch until smooth.
Sauté Garlic & Ginger
- Push the chicken to one side of the pan. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the open space and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Combine and Simmer
- Pour the orange sauce over the chicken mixture. Stir everything together and let it simmer for 3–5 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken evenly.
Serve
- Remove from heat and garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and/or red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot over rice, noodles, or in lettuce wraps.