For a healthier alternative to a favorite Chinese dish, try this Orange Chicken and Asparagus. Serve over rice or noodles, or enjoy on its own!
I’m always a fan of some classic Orange Chicken (especially served over a bed of tender white crock pot rice), but sometimes it’s nice to lighten it up a little bit. This version is healthier and *spoiler alert*, it’s actually easier to make too!
Simple and Healthy, But Delicious
Some Asian recipes can be time consuming and not that great for you, but today, I’m super excited to share with you a simple, healthy recipe for Orange Chicken and Asparagus, that you will love.
With just a few ingredients, you can make this in no time and feel good about eating it too!
The sauce for this recipe is super simple—it’s pretty much just soy sauce, honey and orange juice. Although it’s so simple, it packs big flavor. It’s almost hard to believe it’s considered healthy! I also love that its just simple enough, that my picky kids liked it too.
Next time you want a healthy dinner in a snap, I highly recommend this Orange Chicken and Asparagus!
Did I Mention It’s A One Pot Meal??
Yep, you heard me. ONE pot (as if this recipe couldn’t get any better!!).
CHICKEN. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet. Sauté sliced chicken, garlic and red pepper flakes for about 7 minutes.
ASPARAGUS. Add chopped asparagus and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
SAUCE. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, sesame seeds, and juice and zest of 1 orange. Add to skillet and cook for 1 minute.
SERVE. Serve plain or over rice of your choice (like Fried Rice or Cauliflower Rice).
You could also serve it with some Asian sides, like:
Additions: Orange Chicken is an easy food to add veggies to. Some common favorites include broccoli, snap peas, and bell peppers. If you add too many extra veggies you might want to double the amount of sauce you make so that everything gets covered with orange sauce.
A Great Make-Ahead Recipe
Making ahead of time: You can prep all the ingredients 1-2 days ahead of time and store them in separate containers in the fridge until you’re ready to cook them all. You can also store them in separate freezer bags and freeze for 2-3 months. When you are ready to use, allow the chicken and other ingredients to thaw in the fridge then cook according to recipe instructions.
- If you are freezing the ingredients you will want to blanch the asparagus first. You do this by bringing a pot of water to boil. Add the cut asparagus and boil for 3-5 minutes depending on the size of the stalks. Drain and immediately put the asparagus in cold water. Once they’ve cooled dry them and put them in a freezer safe bag.
Leftovers: Put leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3-4 days. For longer storage, put in the freezer for 2-3 months. For best results reheat in a skillet, stir until hot. If you’re in a hurry you can reheat in the microwave.
Here are more Asian chicken recipes we love:
Orange Chicken and Asparagus Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 4 oz chicken sliced into strips
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 cups asparagus chopped
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 juice and zest of orange
- rice (optional)
Instructions
- Heat sesame oil in a large skillet. Sauté sliced chicken, garlic and red pepper flakes for about 7 minutes. Add chopped asparagus and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, sesame seeds, and juice and zest of 1 orange. Add to skillet and cook for 1 minute. Serve plain or over rice of your choice.
Adapted from: Fitness Magazine
Looks super delicious!! This is perfect since it is now just my husband and I. Thanks for the great recipe 🙂
Thanks, Crystal!! Let me know if you give it a try, and I hope you’re not missing your daughter too much! 🙁
Looks yummy! Do you marinate in the ingredients in the recipe, then cook the same juices, or make more sauce fresh after marinating?
You don’t have to marinate the chicken. You cook some of the ingredients together for about 7 minutes, make a sauce with the other ingredients & add it to the chicken & serve over rice or noodles. It’s a one pot meal 🙂 Hope that helps!
This Orange Chicken and Asparagus was soooo good!!!
Yay!! Thanks so much for giving it a try & for letting me know!
Great recipe! Quick – simple and full of flavor! Did not even marinate. Served over rice.
That is why we love it! Thanks so much!!
ThIS IS AN EASY AND DELICIOUS RECIPE. tHE ASPARAGUS, CHICKEN, CITRUS COMBO EXCITES A LOT OF TASTE BUDS. bUT i THOUGHT IT WAS TOO DRY, AND i PLAN ON MAKING IT AGAIN ADDING SOME CHICKEN BROTH AND A THICKENER – JUST ENOUGH MOISTURE TO MAKE IT SAUCY ENOUGH TO PUT OVER RICE.
That would be great. Thank you for giving it a try 🙂
Mmm…so so good!! Chinese food is my favorite!! I love being able to make this at home & have delicious food, that tastes like it came straight from the restaurant.
Loved how it turned out! It taste amazing and it’s really easy to make! Thank you so much for sharing your orange chicken and asparagus recipe! Highly recommended!
This is a family favorite and is alway welcomed for dinner! So simple to make and the asparagus take it over the top!
You had me at “make ahead.” Because I’m always looking for meals that I can do some prep when I have time in the day, then finish up later. It was SO SO good! We all ate it up. No leftovers. A winner at our home.
We serve this over rice & chow mein. We love it so much, even my picky eaters!
Yum! It sounds great over chow mein!
I love Asian food! The added asparagus makes it taste healthier and still yummy.
I love asparagus is added to a recipe. It’s one of my favorite veggies. The chicken is easy to make and yummy!
Yummy