Ingredients

Scale

(Serves 4)

Crispy chicken:

1½ lbs boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1” pieces
¼ cup cornstarch (or almond flour for low-carb—you love this!)
1 egg white, beaten
2 tbsp avocado oil

Orange sauce (you control the sugar & sodium!):

½ cup fresh orange juice (about 2 large oranges—you love citrus!)
Zest of 1 orange
3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos (you love low-sodium options!)
2 tbsp sugar-free maple syrup (blood sugar friendly—you love this!)
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1½ tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (slurry—for glossy glaze)

For serving:

Sliced green onions
Sesame seeds
Optional: Cauliflower rice or jasmine rice

Instructions

1. Crisp chicken (choose method):

Air Fryer (recommended):
→ Toss chicken with egg white and cornstarch.
→ Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden and crisp.
Stovetop:
→ Same coating; pan-fry in oil 3–4 min per side until crispy.

2. Make orange sauce:

Whisk orange juice, zest, soy sauce, sugar-free syrup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a bowl.
Pour into a small saucepan; bring to a simmer.
Stir in cornstarch slurry; cook 1–2 minutes until thickened and glossy.

3. Finish & serve:

Toss crispy chicken in sauce until coated. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve over cauliflower rice if desired.

💡 Pro Tips for Perfection:
✅ Use fresh orange juice—bottled lacks brightness (roll oranges first for max juice!).
✅ Pat chicken dry—ensures maximum crispiness.
✅ Low-sodium mastery (you love this!):
→ Use coconut aminos + skip added salt
→ Boost umami with extra ginger and garlic
✅ Blood sugar friendly (you love this!):
→ Sugar-free syrup keeps net carbs ultra-low
→ Add 1 tbsp chia seeds to sauce for fiber + glycemic control
→ Net carbs: 10g/serving
✅ Low-carb/keto option (you love this!):
→ Use almond flour for chicken coating
→ Skip cornstarch slurry; reduce sauce longer for thickness
→ Net carbs drop to 6g/serving
✅ Make ahead:
→ Prep sauce 3 days ahead
→ Cook chicken just before serving for best crunch

Prep Time & Nutrition (per serving):