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Healthy Orange Chicken Meal Prep - Bright, Fresh, and Ready for the Week

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • For the Chicken:
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (or arrowroot)
  • 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • For the Orange Sauce:
  • 3/4 cup fresh orange juice (about 2 large oranges)
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest (zest first, then juice)
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
  • 1–2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (slurry)
  • Optional: 1/4–1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes for heat
  • For Serving (Meal Prep Bowls):
  • 3 cups cooked brown rice, jasmine rice, or cauliflower rice
  • 3–4 cups steamed or roasted broccoli, green beans, or a veggie mix
  • Sesame seeds and sliced green onions, for garnish

Method
 

  1. Pat the chicken dry. In a bowl, toss chicken with cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. Let it sit for 10 minutes while you make the sauce.
  2. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together orange juice, zest, soy sauce, honey, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes if using. Taste and adjust sweetness or salt as needed.
  3. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Add oil. Spread chicken in a single layer. Cook 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden on the edges and cooked through. Work in batches if your pan is crowded.
  4. Lower heat to medium. Pour in the orange sauce. Simmer 2–3 minutes until it begins to reduce.
  5. Stir the cornstarch slurry again and drizzle it into the skillet while stirring. Simmer 1–2 minutes until the sauce turns glossy and coats the chicken. If too thick, add a splash of water. If too thin, simmer another minute.
  6. Turn off heat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions if you like.
  7. Portion cooked rice and veggies into 4 meal prep containers. Top with the orange chicken and any extra sauce from the pan.