Easy Orange Ground Chicken Recipe – Sweet, Tangy, Fast!

Easy Orange Ground Chicken is your weeknight dinner’s new best friend. It’s got that sweet-and-tangy orange flavor you crave from takeout, but with lean ground chicken and pantry-friendly ingredients that make it way easier (and lighter) to whip up. Forget standing in line or spending $40 on delivery—this one-pan recipe is fast, flavor-packed, and totally satisfying. Whether you’re trying to please a picky eater or just need a dinner that won’t keep you chained to the stove, this easy orange ground chicken delivers. Bonus? You can pile it on rice, stuff it in lettuce wraps, or tuck it into a wrap for lunch. Let’s get into it!

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What is Easy Orange Ground Chicken?

Easy Orange Ground Chicken is a fun twist on the classic orange chicken you’d normally get at your favorite Asian takeout spot—only this version is a lot quicker and uses ground chicken instead of battered and fried chunks. The sauce still brings that zippy combo of citrus, soy, and sweetness, but we’re skipping the deep fryer and cutting the cooking time way down. Think of it as a shortcut without the flavor sacrifice. And if you’re the kind of person who likes to toss extra veggies into dinner without much fuss, this recipe totally welcomes that. Ground chicken soaks up flavor like a sponge, making this dish bold, juicy, and super adaptable.

Reasons to Try Easy Orange Ground Chicken

Let’s be honest: weeknights are chaos. Between work, errands, and wondering if you’ve got clean socks for tomorrow, dinner sometimes takes the backseat. That’s where easy orange ground chicken shines. First, it’s fast—like 25-minute fast. Second, it uses affordable, everyday ingredients (you probably have most of them already). And third, it’s one of those meals that hits the sweet-savory spot just right. Want something healthy-ish but not boring? Check. Need something the kids won’t roll their eyes at? Check. Craving takeout but your budget says nope? Triple check. This is one of those recipes that’s simple, flavorful, and totally satisfying.

Ingredients Needed to Make Easy Orange Ground Chicken

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil or sesame oil
• ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• ¼ cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• Optional toppings: sliced green onions, sesame seeds, crushed red pepper flakes
• Optional add-ins: chopped bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas

Instructions to Make Easy Orange Ground Chicken

Ready to get dinner on the table fast? This step by step guide walks you through exactly how to make Easy Orange Ground Chicken—from sizzling the meat to getting that perfect sticky-sweet sauce. Let’s break it down so you feel confident from the first chop to the final garnish.

Step 1: Brown the Ground Chicken

Start by heating 1 tablespoon of your chosen cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Avocado oil or sesame oil both bring great flavor, but feel free to use what you have on hand.

Once the oil is shimmering, add 1 pound of ground chicken to the pan. Break it apart using a wooden spoon or spatula. Continue cooking for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink and starts to brown slightly around the edges.

Tip: If your skillet accumulates a lot of liquid, don’t hesitate to drain off the excess. This helps your chicken brown better instead of steaming. For more tips on how to properly brown ground meat, visit our ingredient prep guide in our hearty casserole recipes.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Orange Sauce

While your chicken is cooking, take a small mixing bowl and whisk together the orange sauce ingredients. You’ll need:

• ½ cup of freshly squeezed orange juice (or bottled if that’s what you have—just aim for 100% juice)
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• ¼ cup soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free version)
• 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Whisk until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and the mixture looks smooth. This step by step combination is what gives your dish that crave-worthy sweet and tangy balance—like your favorite takeout, only lighter and faster.

If you need a substitution (out of honey or vinegar?), check out our pantry-friendly swaps in other quick-fix recipes.

Step 3: Sauté the Garlic and Ginger

Once your chicken is browned, push it to one side of the pan to make space. In the open side of the skillet, add 2 cloves of minced garlic and 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger.

Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring frequently so the garlic doesn’t burn. This step by step move is essential—it layers in flavor and gives your orange sauce a zesty, aromatic base.

Step 4: Pour in the Sauce and Simmer

Give your sauce one last quick stir (in case the cornstarch settled), then pour it evenly over the chicken and aromatics in the skillet.

Mix everything together, making sure the chicken is well coated. Let the mixture simmer for 3–5 minutes. As it bubbles, the sauce will thicken and transform into that glossy, sticky texture we all love in takeout-style dishes.

If it thickens too much, you can splash in a tablespoon of water or orange juice to loosen it. This step by step simmer locks in flavor and ensures every bite is juicy and bold.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Once the sauce has thickened and everything is piping hot, remove the skillet from the heat. Now’s the fun part—garnishing!

Sprinkle on chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or red pepper flakes (if you like a kick). Then serve it up however you like: over steamed rice, tucked into lettuce wraps, or even stuffed into a wrap for an on-the-go lunch.

If you’re looking for the perfect side to go with this, we highly recommend pairing it with our slow cooker lemon herb chicken and rice or the crowd-favorite crockpot sweet and sour chicken for a dinner that hits all the notes.

Final Step: Enjoy Your Easy Orange Ground Chicken!

That’s it—your step by step guide to a flavor-packed, fuss-free dinner. You just made a healthier takeout favorite in under 30 minutes. High five!

Want more dinners that come together with minimal effort and maximum flavor? Don’t miss our chicken ramen stir fry or ground turkey teriyaki bowl next.

What to Serve with Easy Orange Ground Chicken

This dish loves company, so pair it up with some simple sides. White or jasmine rice is the go-to, but cauliflower rice works great if you’re going low-carb. A side of garlic parmesan crockpot potatoes or slow cooker lemon herb rice adds comfort-food vibes. Want to keep it light? Serve this in lettuce wraps or with steamed broccoli or snap peas. The flavor’s bold enough to hold its own, but it also plays nice with just about anything you throw on the plate.

Key Tips for Making Easy Orange Ground Chicken

1. Use fresh orange juice – It makes all the difference. Store-bought can work, but fresh-squeezed gives you that bright citrus pop.
2. Brown the chicken well – Get some color on it for extra flavor. Don’t just steam it into sadness.
3. Grate your own ginger – Pre-minced is convenient, but fresh ginger brings the zing.
4. Don’t skip the cornstarch – It’s the secret to that silky, sticky sauce.
5. Add veggies if you’ve got ‘em – This is a great clean-out-the-fridge recipe. Bell peppers, carrots, or snow peas fit right in.

Storage and Reheating Tips for Easy Orange Ground Chicken

Got leftovers? Lucky you. This dish stores like a champ. Let it cool, then pop it into an airtight container. It’ll stay good in the fridge for 3–4 days. For reheating, microwave works just fine (stir halfway through to heat evenly), but you can also toss it back in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or orange juice. Want to freeze it? Go for it! Just keep the sauce separate if possible for best texture. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat the same way. Great for meal prep!

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works great and has a similar texture.

What if I don’t have fresh orange juice?
You can use store-bought, but look for 100% juice without added sugar.

Is this spicy?
Not by default, but you can easily turn up the heat with red pepper flakes or a squirt of sriracha.

Is this gluten-free?
Yes, just use tamari instead of soy sauce and double-check your other ingredients.

Final Thoughts

Easy Orange Ground Chicken is your no-stress solution to those “what’s for dinner?” nights. It’s fast, packed with flavor, and flexible enough to fit whatever veggies or carbs you’ve got on hand. Whether you’re feeding kids, meal-prepping for the week, or just need a break from boring chicken breasts, this recipe hits all the right notes. And if you’re into quick and bold flavors, check out our healthy ground turkey teriyaki rice bowl for another delicious dinner idea.

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