Orange Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

Why You’ll Love This Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe

After my Honey Sesame Chicken Meal Prep Bowls went viral on social media several times, I knew I had to make a similar variation of this recipe with different flavors! These meal prep bowls have all of the goodness of classic crispy orange chicken, but made healthier and better. I am completely obsessed with this easy recipe and could eat it every single day!

Here’s why you’ll love this orange chicken recipe:

• Orange Chicken Goodness – The orange honey sauce is punchy, bright, sweet, and savory. It hits every delicious flavor-want with every bite! Meal prepping is super exciting when it tastes THIS good.
• 41 g Protein – High in protein, these meal prep bowls keep you full and satisfied!
• Healthy – Balanced and full of nourishing veggies, you will love how nourishing these Orange Chicken bowls are and how good they make you feel.
• Gluten-Free – Made with tapioca starch and jasmine rice, these bowls also happen to be gluten-free.

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Orange Chicken Bowl Ingredients

Lightly Fried Chicken

• Tapioca Starch – Tapioca starch is light and does a great job of coating each piece of chicken and producing a crispy coating. You can also use potato starch, rice flour, or cornstarch in it’s place.
• Garlic Powder, Ginger, Salt, and Pepper – Seasoning the starch really well before coating the chicken helps impart flavor to the chicken while it’s cooking.
• Chicken Breasts – You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer them.
• Avocado Oil – Any neutral, high-heat safe oil will work for lightly frying the chicken.

Orange Honey Sauce

• Orange Zest and Juice – The zest gives the sauce that punchy orange flavor, and the small amount of juice brings in some sweetness. Feel free to add a little more orange juice if you want more of that flavor!
• Honey – Swap out the honey for equal amounts of agave or maple syrup. The sauce may be a little bit thinner using these two ingredients but you want that sweetness in the sauce.
• Tomato Paste – The tomato paste in this recipes helps thicken the sauce, adds a depth to it, and rounds out all of that sweetness.
• Tamari – Tamari not only adds a savory and umami flavor to the sauce, but it also gives a saltiness that mellows out all that sweetness. You can also use regular soy sauce or coconut aminos instead!
• Sesame Oil – Toasty, nutty, and subtly flavored, sesame oil is a magical addition.
• Minced Garlic – Mince fresh cloves or use the pre-minced garlic from the store. It’s one of my favorite time-savers.
• Ground Ginger, Salt, and Pepper

Stir Fry Veggies & Bowls

• Broccoli, Bell Peppers, and Onions – I like the way these flavors work in this bowl but feel free to use your favorite veggies instead. Try snow peas, carrots, fresh green beans, or mushrooms.
• Rice – Save time using a precooked rice pouch!
• Green Onions – Optional, but I do think the pop of color and fresh onion bite is super tasty with the orange chicken.

RELATED: 35+ BEST Healthy Meal Prep Recipe

How to Make Healthy Orange Chicken Bowls

This orange chicken recipe is so easy to make! All you’ll need is a Non-Stick Skillet and about 40 minutes total time. Here’s how to make Healthy Orange Chicken Bowls:

1. Lightly Fry the Chicken

Season the tapioca starch, then toss the chicken in the mixture to coat. Lightly fry the chicken in a nonstick skillet until it’s completely cooked through.

2. Whisk the Sauce

Whisk all of the sauce ingredients well, then toss the cooked chicken in the sauce and set it aside. Reserve a little sauce to drizzle over the finished bowls.

3. Cook the Veggies

Turn the heat up a bit on the skillet and cook the veggies, seasoning when they’re almost done.

4. Assemble the Bowls

Divide the rice, chicken, and veggies between 4 bowls and top with green onions, sauce, and sesame seeds. That’s it – enjoy!

You’ll Also Love: Chicken Al Pastor Bowls

Chicken Bowl Recipe Tips

• Use a true non-stick pan to cook the chicken and the veggies. This allows you to use less oil and not worry about anything sticking to the pan.
• Save time by using pre-cooked rice! I love the pouches, especially for a busy weeknight.
• When reheating the Orange Chicken Meal Prep Bowls, add 1-2 teaspoons of water or broth before reheating. This helps the chicken stay moist and fluff the rice up a bit.
• Add more veggies to these bowls if you’d like. If you add additional vegetables, you can make this recipe into 6 bowls instead of 4.
• Spice it up. Add 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the sauce before tossing it with the cooked chicken for a spicy orange chicken sauce.

RELATED: 15+ BEST Protein Bowl Recipes

Other Veggie Pairings for Orange Chicken

While broccoli, bell peppers, and onions are one of my favorite choices for orange chicken bowls, there are plenty of other veggies that pair beautifully with the sweet and savory orange honey sauce. Whether you want to switch things up for variety or use what’s already in your fridge, these ideas will keep your meal prep exciting:

• Snap Peas: Crisp and fresh, these add a sweet crunch that complements the orange glaze.
• Zucchini: Soft and tender when stir-fried, zucchini soaks up the sauce for extra flavor.
• Carrots: Slice them thin or into matchsticks—they add a hint of natural sweetness and vibrant color.
• Mushrooms: Earthy and savory, mushrooms bring an umami kick to balance the citrusy sauce.
• Bok Choy: Stir-fried or steamed, its mild flavor pairs perfectly with the tangy chicken.
• Green Beans: These add a snappy texture and pair well with the sauce’s sweet-and-savory profile.
• Cauliflower: Roast or stir-fry for a hearty, slightly nutty addition to your bowls.
• Baby Corn: A fun and flavorful option that works especially well in Asian-inspired dishes.

Feel free to mix and match these veggies or combine them with your original favorites for a colorful, nutrient-packed meal!

How to Store Orange Chicken

These Orange Chicken Bowls can be stored all together in meal prep containers! Here’s how long to keep them:

• Refrigerator – Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.
• Freezer – Freeze the orange chicken bowls in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
• Reheating – Add 1-2 teaspoons of water or broth to the bowls before heating it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes from the fridge or 4-5 minutes from the freezer.

Feel free to add freshly chopped green onions and sesame seeds right before enjoying these meal prep protein bowls!

More Meal Prep Recipes You’ll Love

• Meal Prep Sofritas Recipe
• Low-Carb Mexican Meal Prep Bowls
• Meal Prep Breakfast Egg Bagels
• Blended Overnight Oats
• Cottage Cheese Pancakes
• French Onion Chicken Bowls

More like these Meal Prep Bowls

• Greek Chicken Rice Bowls
• Meal Prep Southwest Chicken Burrito Bowls
• Hot Honey Chicken Bowls
• Korean Beef Bowls
• Chimichurri Chicken Bowl