This paleo orange chicken tastes incredible and it's good for you, too! Tender chicken thighs are simmered in a sweet and sticky homemade orange glaze and served over a bed of low-carb cauliflower rice. It's a simple paleo recipe the whole family will enjoy. Ready in just 25 minutes!
Ingredients
1tablespoonavocado oil
8bone-in chicken thighs, skinless
¼ teaspoonsea salt
¼ teaspoonblack pepper
The orange sauce
½ cuporange juice
2tablespoonshoney
1tablespoonEACH: sesame oil and coco aminos, can sub soy sauce for non-paleo
1teaspoontapioca starch
¼ teaspoonchili flakes
1pinchturmeric, for color
1inchpiece of ginger, grated on a microplane or very finely minced
2clovesgarlic, grated on a microplane or very finely minced
Toasted sesame seeds, cilantro, and orange wedges, to serve
The Cauliflower Rice
1tablespoonavocado oil
1mediumcauliflower, riced (a food processor makes quick work of this!)
1clovegarlic, very finely minced
¼ teaspoonsea 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.
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