Crispy Paleo Orange Chicken (Gluten-free, Soy-free, AIP Option)

Introduction

Craving takeout but want something wholesome, allergy-friendly, and absolutely packed with flavor? This Crispy Paleo Orange Chicken delivers everything you love in the classic dish—tangy, slightly sweet citrus sauce and irresistibly crunchy chicken bites—without gluten, soy, or inflammatory ingredients. With simple prep and a restaurant-style finish, it’s a meal prep superstar and definite crowd pleaser for family dinners or special gatherings.

Why You’ll Love Crispy Paleo Orange Chicken

This recipe features ultra-crispy chicken—coated in a simple, grain-free breading—then tossed in a bright, sticky orange sauce that’s naturally sweetened and free from refined sugars or soy. It’s also easy to modify for picky eaters or dietary restrictions, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners, entertaining, or clean eating meal plans.

Making the Perfect Paleo Orange Sauce

The star of this dish is its vibrant, glossy orange sauce made from real orange juice, honey, fresh ginger, garlic, and apple cider vinegar. Tapioca or arrowroot starch gives it that classic sticky texture—all without any soy or processed thickeners. If you’re following AIP (Autoimmune Protocol), swap out honey for a compliant sweetener and make sure your seasonings are nightshade-free.

Crisping Up the Chicken—Grain Free and Gluten Free

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs provide tender juiciness, but you can use chicken breast if you prefer. A mixture of tapioca starch (or arrowroot) and coconut flour creates a perfectly crisp coating when pan-fried or air-fried. Eggs help the coating stick, but for AIP just use a simple gelatin “egg” or water.

Serving Suggestions for Crispy Paleo Orange Chicken

Serve your orange chicken over cauliflower rice, steamed broccoli, or bok choy for a colorful and nutrition-packed meal. Garnish with sliced green onions, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds (omit for strict AIP), and extra orange zest for brightness and flair.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 4 hearty servings. Each portion contains approximately 340 calories, 25g protein, 13g fat, and 20g net carbs, depending on your modifications. With clean ingredients and healthy fats, it’s a winning choice for both flavor and nourishment.

Crispy Paleo Orange Chicken Recap

This dish captures everything that makes orange chicken amazing: crispy coating, zesty citrus sauce, and simple, real food ingredients. It’s a weeknight win and a meal prep favorite that supports gluten-free, soy-free, and AIP lifestyles—satisfying cravings without compromise.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly generate an organized, aisle-sorted shopping list—making grocery trips quicker and meal prep much smoother. With CookifyAI, you’ll never forget a key ingredient on a busy weeknight!

Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine tapioca starch, coconut flour, and sea salt. In a separate bowl, beat the egg (or prepare your AIP gelatin egg).
2. Dip each chicken piece into the egg, then coat thoroughly in the flour mixture.
3. Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, fry chicken pieces until golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side. Set aside on a paper towel lined plate.
4. To make the sauce, add orange juice, honey, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, ginger, garlic, sea salt, and orange zest to a small saucepan over medium heat.
5. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, then add dissolved tapioca starch, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens and gets glossy (1-2 minutes).
6. Return crispy chicken to the pan and toss in the thickened orange sauce until well coated and heated through.
7. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and additional orange zest. Serve hot over cauliflower rice or steamed veggies.

Weekly Meal Planning

This orange chicken keeps beautifully for lunchboxes and reheats well. Save and schedule this recipe to your meal planner to plan ahead, avoid ingredient overlap, and create precise smart shopping lists for the whole week.

Planning Benefits:

• Combines ingredients across all your planned meals—no more double buys or missing items.
• Organizes every grocery list by aisle for truly efficient shopping.
• Helps you stick to dietary goals and reduces meal-time stress.
• Makes batch cooking, leftovers, and weekly prep simple and streamlined.

Pro tip: Schedule your meals for the week and see exactly how much chicken, citrus, or coconut aminos to buy to save time, reduce waste, and stay on budget.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Enjoy a crisp, bright, and nourishing orange chicken any night of the week—made even easier with stress-free shopping and meal planning!