Spicy Orange Chicken
Spicy Orange Chicken pairs juicy thigh meat with a bright citrus glaze that balances sweet orange, tangy rice vinegar, and umami from fish sauce and soy. Ginger, garlic, and crushed red pepper add gentle heat, while bell pepper, snap peas, and jalapeño bring fresh crunch. Ideal for a weeknight dinner when you want bold flavor with a glossy, reduced pan sauce.
- Prep20 mins
- Cook25 mins
- Serves6
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Spicy Orange Chicken, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic Impact
- 41 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 0 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 90 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Unprocessed or minimally processed
- 1 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 10
- Heart Health
- 59
- Metabolic
- 20
- Digestive
- 20
- Inflammatory
- 54
- Performance
- 39
- General Wellness
- 1
In a large bowl, whisk together orange juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, fish sauce, soy sauce, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
- 2
Add the chicken pieces and toss to coat evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
- 3
Drain the chicken well in a colander, reserving the marinade.
- 4
Heat a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Cook and stir the chicken in the hot skillet for 2 minutes; spoon off any excess liquid. Continue cooking and stirring until the chicken caramelizes, 6 to 7 minutes.
- 5
Stir in the white portions of the green onions, the garlic, and the orange zest; cook and stir for 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in 1/2 of the reserved marinade and discard the rest. Simmer until reduced and thickened, 3 to 4 minutes.
- 6
Stir in the bell pepper, sugar snap peas, and jalapeño pepper; cook and stir until the vegetables are warmed, about 2 minutes. Stir in the green portions of the green onions; cook and stir for 1 minute.
- 7
Remove from the heat. Garnish with cilantro and serve.
- Calories 360.48 kcal Moderate 18%
- Protein 31.86 g Good Source 64%
- Carbohydrate 31.86 g 12%
- Total Fat 12.96 g Moderate 17%
- Saturated Fat 4.25 g High 21%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 134.95 mg High 45%
- Sodium 726.02 mg High 32%
- Dietary Fiber 2.05 g Low Source 7%
- Total Sugars 15.73 g --
- Added Sugars 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 31.26 mg Low Source 2%
- Iron 2.5 mg Moderate 14%
- Potassium 307.67 mg Low Source 7%
- Vitamin A 61.43 mcg Low Source 7%
- Vitamin C 61.64 mg Good Source 68%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Citrus 🍊
- Fish 🐟
- Soy 🌱
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Spicy Orange Chicken is made with 15 ingredients and serves 6. It takes about 45 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Boneless Chicken Thigh, Brown Sugar, Dried Orange Peel, and Fish Sauce. Each serving provides about 360.48 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Spicy Orange Chicken made of?
- The main ingredients are Boneless Chicken Thigh, Brown Sugar, Dried Orange Peel, Fish Sauce, Fresh Cilantro. The full list of 15 is above.
- How long does it take to make Spicy Orange Chicken?
- About 45 mins in total: 20 mins to prepare and 25 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 360.48 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Spicy Orange Chicken easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 15 ingredients and 7 steps.
- Is Spicy Orange Chicken healthy?
- Spicy Orange Chicken has an easyChef Pro health score of 41/100. Per serving, it provides 360.48 calories and 31.86 g of protein, or 64% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of vitamin C. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 726.02 mg (32% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 4.25 g (21% of the Daily Value). It contains Citrus, Fish, Soy, Garlic and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
How easyChef Pro scores recipes and products
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The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.
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