Name: Keto Orange Chicken (Low Carb)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 2 pounds chicken thighs, boneless skinless, cut into strips; 2 eggs, large; 1 1/2 cup whey protein isolate, unflavored; 3 tablespoons orange marmalade; 3 tablespoons sesame ginger dressing; 3 tablespoons asian dressing; 1 tablespoon liquid aminos; 1/2 tablespoon sriracha sauce; 1 tablespoon garlic, minced; 1/2 teaspoon ginger, minced; 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flaked, crushed

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Keto Orange Chicken is a delicious chinese takeout favorite, made with tender pieces of chicken coated in a tangy, sugar-free orange sauce. This dish combines fresh orange zest, garlic, and ginger to create a vibrant and flavorful glaze.

Why You’ll Love Keto Orange Chicken

Keto Orange Chicken captures all the flavor and crunch of the original without derailing your low-carb goals. It’s packed with flavor, quick to make, and pairs well with a variety of sides—so whether you’re hosting a dinner party or cooking for a weeknight meal, this dish is guaranteed to impress.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Keto Orange Chicken

Use Fresh Oranges: For the best flavor, always use fresh oranges. Freshly squeezed orange juice will provide a natural, vibrant citrus flavor that artificial orange juice or concentrates just can’t match.
Breading the Chicken: For the crispiest coating, use a blend of almond flour and coconut flour. This combination keeps the chicken crispy and golden without any carbs. You can also add a pinch of garlic powder or onion powder to your breading mix for extra flavor.
Double Coating for Extra Crunch: If you love a crispy texture, consider double-coating your chicken. Dip your chicken in the egg wash, then coat it in the flour mixture. After the first round of frying, dip it again and fry for an extra crispy finish.
Don’t Overcook the Chicken: When frying, be sure not to overcook the chicken. A few minutes on each side will ensure that it’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Overcooking can make the chicken dry, so keep an eye on the frying process.
Adjust the Sweetness: Since traditional orange chicken relies on sugar, you can replace it with a low-carb sweetener like erythritol or monk fruit sweetener to maintain that sweetness without the carbs. You can adjust the amount based on your personal taste preferences.
Make it Spicy: If you prefer a bit of heat, consider adding some crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of chili sauce to the orange sauce. This adds a spicy kick that contrasts perfectly with the sweetness of the orange.

Ingredient Substitutes and FAQs

Can I substitute almond or coconut flour for the whey protein isolate?

Look I highly recommend you to use whey protein because firstly I am sure that you have never fried chicken with whey protein.

Secondly, whey protein successfully binds all the breading ingredients together better than any other flour and it will not lose any of the batter while frying.

But yes you can use almond or coconut flour to bread the egg dipped chicken, you can even use a combination of peanut flour and sesame flour (take 2 tablespoons each)

keto orange chicken with sugar free marmalade

Liquid amino’s – This gives you a Soy Sauce flavor and is an alternative to Soy Sauce. You can use coconut aminos instead

Dressing Substitute – Use orange juice or extract and xanthum gum to thicken the sauce.

How to Make Keto Orange Chicken Sauce?

You can just follow the instructions given on the recipe card below to make the sauce but these are the substitute if you don’t have any ingredient in hand or not available.

Sauce Ingredients Substitute:

Click on the links to buy the items:

Xanthum Gum – to thicken the sauce
Sesame oil, peanut oil or avocado oil
Use coconut aminos instead of liquid aminos.
A natural sweetener like erythritol or orange marmalade.

Variations of Keto Orange Chicken

While the basic recipe is fantastic as is, there are several ways to modify Keto Orange Chicken to suit your tastes:

Keto Orange Tofu: For a vegetarian twist, substitute the chicken with firm tofu. The tofu absorbs the sauce beautifully and provides a great alternative for those avoiding meat.
Keto Orange Shrimp: Shrimp works wonderfully with the citrusy sauce. It cooks quickly and pairs beautifully with the tangy orange sauce.
Keto Orange Beef: If you prefer beef, use thinly sliced steak or flank steak for a keto-friendly, low-carb twist on beef and orange.
Keto Orange Cauliflower: For a completely plant-based option, roasted cauliflower florets are an excellent substitute for chicken. Their texture soaks up the orange sauce and gives a satisfying bite.

How to Bread the Chicken for the best Keto Orange Chicken Recipe?

To bread the chicken pieces with the eggs we are using whey protein but you can use coconut flour. For the orange sauce, we are using liquid aminos, and other dressing to make it a low carb orange marmalade chicken but you can use orange zest, orange extract, chicken broth and erythritol for sweetening.

What to do with the Leftovers?

If you have leftovers, then keep the chicken and the sauce separately in airtight containers (if you put together the breading will soak up the sauce) and store for up to 3 days.

When ready to eat, warm the sauce (just warm not actually cook) and toss the chicken into the sauce and enjoy.

How to Serve Keto Orange Chicken

Keto Orange Chicken can be served in a variety of ways, depending on your preferences and what fits your keto diet:

With Cauliflower Rice: One of the best low-carb alternatives to traditional rice is cauliflower rice. It absorbs the orange sauce beautifully and creates a satisfying base for the chicken.
On a Bed of Greens: For a lighter meal, serve the chicken on a bed of mixed greens, such as spinach or arugula, and drizzle some of the sauce on top.
Alongside Roasted Vegetables: You can pair the chicken with roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and broccoli for a colorful, nutritious side dish.
With Zucchini Noodles: If you’re craving noodles, zucchini noodles (or “zoodles”) are an excellent low-carb substitute for traditional pasta. They provide a great texture and work well with the orange sauce.

How to Store Keto Orange Chicken

If you have leftovers (which is rare!), storing your Keto Orange Chicken is easy:

In the Fridge: Store the chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If the breading loses its crispiness, you can reheat it in the oven for a few minutes to restore some of the crunch.
For Freezing: If you want to store it for longer, you can freeze the chicken. After frying, let the chicken cool completely and store it in a freezer-safe container. It will last for up to 2 months in the freezer. To reheat, bake it in the oven at 375°F (190°C) until hot and crispy.
For the Sauce: If you have leftover sauce, store it separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can reheat it on the stove and pour it over freshly cooked chicken.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make Keto Orange Chicken without frying? Yes! You can bake the chicken instead of frying it. Simply coat the chicken as you would for frying, then bake it in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. This will give you a healthier, less oily version.

What’s the best way to make Keto Orange Chicken spicy? To add a kick, stir in some red pepper flakes, chili sauce, or even some sriracha into the orange sauce while simmering. Adjust the spice level to your preference, and feel free to experiment!

Can I use other citrus fruits in this recipe? While oranges are the star of the show in this recipe, you can experiment with other citrus fruits like lemon or lime for a slightly different flavor. However, be mindful of the sweetness, as these fruits are less sweet than oranges. You may need to adjust the sweetener to balance the flavors.

Can I make this dish ahead of time? Yes, you can prep the chicken and the sauce ahead of time. Just store the sauce separately and coat the chicken just before cooking. This way, you can enjoy fresh, crispy chicken even if you’ve already prepared the other components.

What’s a good sweetener for this dish? Monk fruit sweetener and erythritol are both excellent low-carb, keto-friendly sweeteners. They have a sweetness level that’s close to sugar without the carb count. You can also use a stevia blend if you prefer a different taste profile.

Final Thoughts

Keto Orange Chicken is a fantastic, low-carb version of a beloved classic, bringing together the best of citrus and crispy chicken in a healthy, keto-friendly way. Whether you’re serving it up for dinner or making it ahead for meal prep, this recipe is sure to be a hit with both keto and non-keto eaters alike. So give it a try today, and don’t forget to adjust the sweetness and spice to your liking for a personalized, zesty twist!

Remember, whether you’re eating low-carb or just looking to cut down on sugar, this Keto Orange Chicken will fulfill your cravings without breaking your diet. Happy cooking!

Recipe FAQs

Yield: 4

Keto Orange Chicken (Low Carb)

Keto Orange Chicken is a delicious chinese takeout favorite, made with tender pieces of chicken coated in a tangy, sugar-free orange sauce. This dish combines fresh orange zest, garlic, and ginger to create a vibrant and flavorful glaze.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

2 pounds chicken thighs, boneless skinless, cut into strips
2 eggs, large
1 1/2 cup whey protein isolate, unflavored

For the Sauce:

3 tablespoons orange marmalade
3 tablespoons sesame ginger dressing
3 tablespoons asian dressing
1 tablespoon liquid aminos
1/2 tablespoon sriracha sauce
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ginger, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flaked, crushed

Instructions

To make the sauce:

Take a shallow bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients and whisk until well combined or blend with a hand mixer and set aside.

To make chicken:

Take a medium bowl, beat the eggs and add the chicken pieces and mix until well combined.
Heat a frying pan on medium high heat, add the oil let it get hot.
Meanwhile let's bread the chicken, take the chicken pieces one by one from the egg mixture and coat with the whey protein (you can use almond or coconut flour) and set aside on a plate.
When the oil is hot and ready, add the chicken pieces for 3-4 minutes per side or until fully cooked through.
Repeat the same with the remaining chicken strips and set them on the side on top of a wire rack.
Warm the sauce a little (not necessary) and toss in the crispy chicken with the sauce and eat right away!