Paleo Orange Chicken with Cauliflower Rice
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This paleo orange chicken tastes incredible! Tender chicken thighs are simmered in a sweet and sticky homemade orange glaze and served over a bed of cauliflower rice. It’s a simple paleo recipe the whole family will enjoy. Ready in just 25 minutes!
When I’m craving orange chicken, I often make this paleo version instead of ordering takeout. It comes together in about 25 minutes and delivers that same irresistible combo of golden chicken and a glossy, orange-forward sauce—just in a slightly different, very satisfying form. It’s not meant to mimic the classic takeout version bite for bite, but it absolutely scratches the same itch.
The chicken is simply seasoned with salt and pepper, then seared until deeply golden so it has plenty of flavor and texture before the sauce ever hits the pan. The glaze is where everything comes together: fresh orange juice for brightness, honey for that sticky sweetness, sesame oil for a nutty, savory note, and coconut aminos to bring depth and saltiness. A little tapioca starch thickens the sauce just enough so it clings beautifully to each piece of chicken.
I usually serve it over cauliflower rice, which soaks up every drop of that sweet-tart sauce. It’s bold, comforting, and fast enough for a weeknight, and it’s one of those dinners that wins people over immediately—whether they’re eating paleo or not.
What to eat with paleo orange chicken
You can enjoy this paleo orange chicken with cauliflower rice as a complete meal on its own. If you’re not paleo, feel free to serve it with regular rice or your favorite noodles. It also tastes great with some stir-fried veggies or a vegetable side like bok choy, garlic green beans, or carrots.
Some of my favorite paleo vegetable sides
Paleo Orange Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 8 bone-in chicken thighs (skinless)
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
The orange sauce
- ½ cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon EACH: sesame oil and coco aminos (can sub soy sauce for non-paleo)
- 1 teaspoon tapioca starch
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 pinch turmeric (for color)
- 1 inch piece of ginger (grated on a microplane or very finely minced)
- 2 cloves garlic (grated on a microplane or very finely minced)
- Toasted sesame seeds, cilantro, and orange wedges, to serve
The Cauliflower Rice
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 medium cauliflower (riced – a food processor makes quick work of this)
- 1 clove garlic (very finely minced)
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Dry the chicken with paper towels and then season them with salt and pepper. Sear the chicken thighs for 3-5 minutes on each side, or until both sides are well browned. Remove the pan from the heat.1 tablespoon avocado oil, 8 bone-in chicken thighs, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- While the chicken is searing, prepare the orange glaze. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the orange juice, honey, sesame oil, soy sauce, tapioca starch, chili flakes, turmeric, ginger, and garlic.½ cup orange juice, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon EACH: sesame oil and coco aminos, ¼ teaspoon chili flakes, 1 inch piece of ginger, 2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon tapioca starch, 1 pinch turmeric
- Pour the sauce over the seared chicken and bring it to a boil. Lower the heat so that the chicken is barely simmering, cover the pan, and let it cook for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken over and cook for another 10 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cauliflower rice
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare the rice. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the grated cauliflower and cook for 5 minutes, or until the cauliflower no longer tastes raw. Add the garlic and sea salt and toss well.1 tablespoon avocado oil, 1 medium cauliflower, 1 clove garlic, ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- Serve the orange chicken with cauliflower rice and some sesame seeds, cilantro, and orange wedges.Toasted sesame seeds, cilantro, and orange wedges, to serve
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
This looks delicious but I cannot believe the Grapeseed oil recommendation. will try the excellent recipe with the exception of the Grapeseed oil.
I agree with you about the grapeseed oil! I do use it as it’s a neutral flavored oil and so doesn’t impart a taste in the recipe. If you have a different oil you prefer, definitely use that instead!
You should use either avocado oil or MCT C8 oil, much better for you and imparts now flavor to recipes.
This is the first recipe I have made from your blog and it was amazing! I am so impressed. I made it with a side of sweet potatoes- yum! Now it’s time to check out your other recipes 🙂 Thank you!
Hooray! I’m so happy to hear you liked it. It’s one of my favs. 🙂
I just made this recipe and it was perfect. My kids just loved it!!
I’m so happy to hear it was a hit with you and your family! Horray!
I love orange chicken. This looks amazing!
Thank you so much, Tim!!
Looks amazing! Will this freeze well?
I haven’t tried freezing it before, but I suspect it would freeze well. Do make sure to freeze the cauliflower rice and the chicken seperately. 🙂
I didn’t make the cauliflower rice, but the chicken was delicious after freezing/reheating! Thank you!
Thank you so much for letting us all know! Hooray!!
I’m really happy with paleo, thanks for sharing this amazing recipes!
Thank you so much! I love paleo recipes, too. 🙂
Would this recipe work with date paste? I am currently on Whole 30, and this looks delicious!
I haven’t tried it before, but I would think it would work just fine. If you try it with the date paste I’d love to hear the results!
I am always trying to find fun recipes to test out for date night; which I can also add to my “boyfriend approved Whole 30 meals” I am going to make this for us next week, and will keep you posted!
I tried the recipe last night with date paste and arrowroot starch I had in the pantry. It was absolutely delicious!! Next time, I will add a little more arrowroot starch, since date past doesn’t have the consistency of honey, to make the sauce thicker. My boyfriend is a HUGE fan of takeout orange chicken, and he loved the recipe! Thank you 🙂
I’m so happy to hear it turned out! Yay!
And thank you for reporting back about how the modifications turned out. That’s super helpful!
How much date paste did you substitute for the honey?
I believe I used 2 tbs, but it could use a little more if you want the sweetness of honey to match.
Tried this recipe last week and it was great, really good for leftovers too. Haven’t tried with the cauliflower rice yet though, I think I’ll do that on the next round.
I’m so happy you liked the recipe!
can I marinate the chicken first?
Hi Paola! You can definitely marinate the chicken in the orange glaze overnight if you wanted to. Once the chicken has finished marinating remove it from the marinade, dry it with some paper towels and then proceed with the recipe. Hope that helps!
You will love it!
I’m so happy you don’t think it’s weird … sometimes I really wonder lol. God food always makes me happy. 🙂
Thanks, Kathleen! The glaze really was finger licking good!!
Sounds like you and I must travel the same … I always feel like going on a cleanse after a holiday! Where did you travel to?
fake-out take out …. love it! Totally agree that homemade is always better!!
I really do love eating paleo most of the time. I couldn’t go 100% though; I like my sweet treats occasionally and have no interest in messing with those lol. When it comes to dinner time it’s a great way to eat!
Thanks, Liz! It really was so tasty!!