Easy Healthy Orange Mandarin Chicken Recipe You’ll Love

Name: Mandarin Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon coconut oil; 4 chicken, breast ((Boneless & Skinless)); 1 cup broth, chicken; 1 15-ounce can oranges, Mandarin ((BPA Free)); 2 tablespoons coconut aminos; 2 teaspoons onion powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 pinch sea salt ((To Taste)); 1 pinch black pepper, ground ((To Taste)); onions, green ((Sliced)); peanuts ((Chopped)); cilantro, fresh

This easy Chinese recipe is perfect on those days when you want to order Chinese take out, but rather cook at home in only 15 minutes. A healthy version of orange Mandarin chicken, a recipe like from your favorite restaurant. Healthy dinner recipe, otherwise known as tangerine chicken.

📋 Recipe Snapshot

Quick Recipe Facts

⏱️ Ready In: 15 minutes.

👩‍🍳 Skill Level: Easy

🍊 Flavor: Sweet, citrusy, savory, and lightly tangy with juicy mandarin oranges and tender chicken.

🌿 Diet: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, High-Protein, Lower-Carb, Paleo-Friendly.

🌞 Best For: Quick weeknight dinners, healthy takeout cravings, family meals, and high-protein meal prep.

🫙 Make Ahead: Prepare the chicken and sauce in advance, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave and serve with steamed vegetables or rice.

🌀 Harmony Moment: Enjoy all the comforting flavors of your favorite orange chicken with wholesome ingredients, lean protein, and naturally sweet mandarin oranges for a balanced meal that fits into a healthy lifestyle.

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This is my favorite healthy version of a popular takeout recipe that contains no refined sugar, is easy to make, and your family will love it.

This recipe pairs well with my mushroom & wild rice salad. If you love the umami flavor of mushrooms, this will become a favorite.

Why You'll Love This Healthy Mandarin Orange Chicken Recipe?

Lower in Carbs - This tangerine chicken recipe only contains 4 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Source of Lean Protein - Chicken breast is one of the leanest cuts of poultry that you can prepare.
Quick Recipe - This healthy take out dinner recipe only takes 15 minutes to prepare.

All the comfort flavors wrapped up in an easy to make takeout dinner recipe.

🥣 Ingredients For Tangerine Chicken Recipe

Mandarin Oranges - Otherwise known as tangerines, Mandarin oranges are a rich source of vitamin C. It's best to add in the Mandarin oranges at the end before serving. This helps prevent the vitamin C from being destroyed through the cooking process.
Chicken Breast - I recommend using skinless, boneless chicken breasts. a great source of protein, but rich in vitamins and minerals. Iron, B vitamins, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, and selenium. Chicken is also a great source of B vitamins, which help in energy production, as well as help form red blood cells in the body.
Coconut Aminos - This is a sauce similar to soy or teriyaki sauce. Coconut aminos are a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce, with a lot less sodium content too.
Chicken Broth - Since this is a healthy chicken recipe, I recommend using chicken broth for that added deep chicken flavor. However, if you only have vegetable broth, that will also work. I don't recommend beef broth, as the flavor profile will change slightly.
Coconut Oil - I like this oil, but olive olive also works in this recipe. Use what you have in your pantry.
Spices - I like a blend of onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cooking healthy doesn't have to be complicated, with a huge list of spices. I kept it simple in this recipe.

See the recipe card for quantities.

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🧡 Learn How to Make Healthy Mandarin Chicken Recipe

Learn how easy it is to make a delicious Mandarin chicken recipe right at home.

📖 Recipe Card

Mandarin Chicken

Laura Villanueva

This easy Chinese recipe is perfect on those days when you want to order Chinese take out, but rather cook at home in only 15 minutes. A healthy version of Mandarin chicken, just like from your favorite restaurant.

If you like this recipe, please leave a star rating in the comments section of this post to help other followers in our EYN community!

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Course Dinner

Cuisine Asian

Servings

Calories 336 kcal

Equipment

1 Large Pan

Ingredients

1 tablespoon coconut oil
4 chicken, breast (Boneless & Skinless)
1 cup broth, chicken
1 15-ounce can oranges, Mandarin (BPA Free)
2 tablespoons coconut aminos
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 pinch sea salt (To Taste)
1 pinch black pepper, ground (To Taste)

Optional Toppings:

onions, green (Sliced)
peanuts (Chopped)
cilantro, fresh

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Instructions

Add oil to a large skillet over medium heat. When hot, add the chicken breasts,then season with salt and pepper.
Sear on each side for 5 minutes or until golden brown.
Add the broth to the skillet, and use a whisk to scrape any caramelized bits off the bottom of the pan.
Stir the oranges with juice, tamari, onion powder, and garlic powder into the broth, then spoon the sauce over the tops of the chicken. Add any optional toppings. Serve.

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Nutrition

Serving: 1 ServingCalories: 336kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 55gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 146mgSodium: 325mgPotassium: 511mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 40IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 2mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. Modify as needed and enjoy.

Keyword easy Chinese recipe, healthy take out dish, Mandarin chicken, orange chicken, paleo chicken, tangerine chicken

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Top Cooking Tip

If you have the time to segment Mandarin oranges by hand, then use fresh. However, I usually just buy a can of Mandarin oranges already segmented. This tip saves so much time.

💙 Substitutions

There are several easy swaps you can make to cater to dietary needs or preferences. Check out some easy substitutions and variations to customize this recipe to your liking. Here are a few ideas.

Chicken - Swap chicken breast with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier option. For a plant-based alternative, use extra-firm tofu, tempeh, or even chickpeas.
Soy Sauce - Use tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free alternative. Low-sodium soy sauce is another option for reducing salt.
Mandarin Oranges - Fresh tangerines, clementines, or even canned mandarin oranges in natural juice can be used. Just be sure to drain canned options well.
Honey - Replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar for a vegan-friendly version.
Cornstarch - Arrowroot powder or tapioca starch work well as a gluten-free thickening agent in the sauce.

🥚 Healthy Food Swaps Guide

Check out my free Healthy Food Swaps Guide for how to swap out different foods if you suffer from food allergies, sensitivities, intolerances, or simply an aversion.

🍴 Variations

Here are a few variations for my healthy version of a Mandarin chicken recipe.

Vegetarian Alternative - Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh cubes. Marinate and cook them similarly to absorb the flavorful sauce.
Spice It Up - Incorporate red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha into the sauce for a spicy kick.
Nutty Addition - Sprinkle toasted cashews or almonds over the finished dish to introduce a crunchy texture and healthy fats.
Citrus Twist - Experiment with different citrus fruits like tangerines or blood oranges to vary the flavor profile.

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Over Whole Grains - Serve the orange Mandarin chicken atop brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for added fiber and nutrients.
With Stir-Fried Vegetables - Pair the dish with a medley of stir-fried vegetables such as broccoli, bell peppers, and snap peas to enhance its nutritional value.
In Lettuce Wraps - Spoon the chicken into large lettuce leaves for a fresh, low-carb alternative.

❄️ Storage

This healthy orange Mandarin chicken makes tasty leftovers.

Refrigeration - Store tangerine chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Simply reheat and serve for dinner a second or third night, especially if you double the recipe.
Freezing - This healthy dinner is also perfect stored in the freezer. This makes for a quick meal prep recipe for the month. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to use a freezer safe container.

By incorporating these variations and tips, you can customize the healthy tangerine chicken to suit your taste and dietary preferences, making it a versatile addition to your meal repertoire.

Pro Nutrition Tip

To maximize vitamin C intake, add the mandarin oranges at the end of cooking. This preserves their vitamin C content, which can be diminished by heat.

🍳 Equipment

Utilizing a zester or fine grater allows you to incorporate fresh orange zest into the sauce, intensifying the citrus flavor without additional calories or sodium.

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🤔 FAQ - Common Questions

These FAQs should help address any common concerns or questions you may have about making your orange Mandarin chicken recipe.

Can I Use Canned Mandarin Oranges?

Yes, but opt for those packed in water or natural juice to avoid added sugars. Drain them well before use.

How Can I Make This Dish Gluten-Free?

Ensure all ingredients, especially soy sauce or its alternatives, are certified gluten-free. Tamari or coconut aminos are suitable substitutes.

Is It Possible To Prepare This Dish Ahead Of Time?

Certainly! Prepare the sauce and protein separately, storing them in the refrigerator. Combine and reheat just before serving to maintain optimal texture and flavor.