Orange Chicken Meal Prep (Paleo, Whole30, AIP)
This orange chicken meal prep is perfect for making on the weekend to have lunch throughout the week! It’s gluten-free, paleo, and can be made whole30 and AIP.
Orange chicken is a classic! If you follow me on social media, you’ll know that this meal is constantly on repeat for lunch, dinner and just whenever. But seriously, who doesn’t want to have some takeout fakeout in the middle of the workday? This orange chicken meal prep is midday comfort food without feeling tired and icky afterward! It’s gluten-free, paleo, and easy to make AIP and whole30 compliant as well.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- It’s easy to make. The recipe is essentially all made in one pan, and doesn’t require anything fancy!
- It’s a well-balanced and filling lunch. This recipe is full of protein and fiber will definitely keep you full.
The Ingredients for the Orange Chicken
- Chicken breast. You can also use boneless and skinless chicken thighs.
- Arrowroot starch. This recipe uses arrowroot starch instead of a flour/egg coating for a grain and egg free version that still gives a nice coating to the chicken and thickens the sauce.
- Broccoli and cauliflower rice These simple sides pair perfectly with the orange chicken.
- Orange juice, coconut aminos, coconut sugar, and orange zest. These are the main ingredients for the sauce. This recipe uses coconut aminos instead of soy sauce to keep this recipe gluten free.
How to make this orange chicken meal prep
- Step one. Prep the vegetables and the sauce.
- Step two. Prep the chicken and coat in arrowroot starch. Cook in the pan and add the sauce, allowing to thicken.
- Step three. Assemble the meal prep bowls with broccoli, cauliflower rice, and orange chicken. Top with additional orange zest and green onions.
Tips & Tricks
- Mix up the veggies. You can mix it up with different vegetables like carrots, bok choy, etc.
- Double the recipe for dinner. Seriously, it’s perfect any time of day!
Storage instructions
This orange chicken will last for about 3-4 days in the fridge. Perfect for making on a Sunday and bringing for an easy work lunch throughout the week. I recommend storing it in glass Tupperware!
Can you freeze this recipe?
You likely can freeze this recipe, yes! I haven’t done it myself but it should work out just fine. I wouldn’t freeze it longer than 3 months.
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Orange Chicken Meal Prep
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Ingredients
For the sauce
- ½ cup orange juice
- 3 tbsp coconut aminos
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp coconut sugar, omit for whole30
- Salt and pepper, omit pepper for AIP
For the chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper, omit for AIP
- 2 tbsp arrowroot starch
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 thumb ginger, minced
For serving
- 3 cups broccoli, steamed
- 3 cups cauliflower rice
- 2 tbsp green onion, sliced
- Orange zest
Instructions
- Whisk together the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Slice the chicken into bite-sized cubes. Add salt and pepper, and coat in arrowroot starch.
- Heat the oil over medium heat in a large pan and cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes until cooked through to 165 F. Set aside.
- Add the garlic and ginger to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes or until fragrant.
- Add the chicken back to the pan and stir in the sauce, coating the chicken. Simmer for about 2 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and coat the chicken.
- Assemble the meal prep bowls with broccoli, cauliflower rice, and orange chicken. Top with additional orange zest and green onions.
Notes
This post was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2023. Photos by Modern Food Stories.
This is the second recipe I have tried in 3 days from your website and I can’t wait to try more! Not only was it delicious, but it was easy to make as well. I am just starting the AIP diet and you make it so easy! Can’t wait to try more!
Really enjoyed this recipe and super easy to make! Did you happen to have the nutritional information available for this? I didn’t see it above. Thank you!
Hi Caroline! Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed it. The nutrition facts are updated on the recipe!
How do you find an AIP compliant orange juice?
You can make your own or buy fresh squeezed!
This is by far one of my all time favorite AIP recipes. I CRAVE Chinese food during certain times of the month and this absolutely tastes like take out orange chicken. Paired with Jovial cassava orzo and steamed broccoli … it is DIVINE. Thank you Michelle!!!
I made this for dinner tonight! I 100% recommend! It was so good!
Thank you so much!!
This is amazing! I’ll be making it every week.
Does it freeze well? Wouldn’t mind having a stash for those busy times.
So glad you are loving it!! You can try to freeze, yes!
I am LOVING your recipes. I tried this orange chicken recipe without honey and loved it. My boys requested the honey next time but still ate it so that’s a win. I love the layout of your recipes and that they taste amazing while still following healthy eating. Thank you.
So glad you and your family enjoyed!
Yum! Yum! Yum! Again, another recipe my whole family devours! And they are not AIP/paleo. It has the perfect orange flavor. Do yourself a favor and make it. You won’t miss your takeout, I promise!
This was SO good! I sautéed diced onion, mushrooms cabbage, carrots, and broccoli. Added a bag of broccoli slaw and diced water chestnuts. Added diced cooked chicken. This sauce was perfect. Huge batch of orange chicken for the week and the win. thank you!
Thank you so much, Kelly!!
How about some ginger in this dish? Excited to make this for dinner tonight!
Easy and delicious!
thank you!!
Very delicious! This made 3 meals for me to take for lunches this week. Very excited for lunch now!
Painfully salty:(. Are liquid aminos the same as coconut aminos?
Hi Jennifer, liquid aminos are actually different than coconut aminos as it’s still made from soy, and coconut aminos is soy-free. Liquid aminos actually almost has over twice as much sodium as coconut aminos, so that could definitely contribute to the salty taste. Sorry, you didn’t enjoy!