I’ve been on an Asian food kick lately. It’s partly for comfort, partly to experiment. So this week I made Gluten Free Orange Chicken which did not disappoint. 

At the beginning of our stay at home orders I told myself that I would not let the fact that I didn’t get that “perfect picture” stop me from sharing and posting. I think that’s probably one of the draw backs from having a food blog is always having everything look picture perfect. But that’s not real life, and I want to show you real food, from real recipes that you can make on your own. 

If you’re in my group you already know that on Wednesdays we share our dinner ideas. And almost every week because we’re short on time, (and starving) I never get a good picture. It’s always one from my phone. Then I never end up posting it to my blog and that dinner goes hidden among all the other posts. 

So I’m sharing everything here so that you and I can search for recipes over and over and they will never be lost. Heck, what if Facebook ended?? All these recipes would be gone forever. I can’t even imagine. 

And by the way, to make sure we always stay connected beyond Facebook, be sure I have your email address. As you know by now, I never will send you spam and I never email more than once a week (sometimes less). 

The only difference between these posts and my baking recipes is that they will be much more informal.

So ready? Let’s make this gluten free orange chicken. 

Here’s what you need:

For the chicken

• 1 lb Chicken tenderloins cut into cubes or chunks
• 1 cup GF all-purpose flour (divided). If your flour has xanthan gum great, if not add 1/4 tsp to it. 
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup coconut milk (non-refrigerated carton) 
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar 
• Oil for sautee pan (I used avocado)

For the sauce

• 2 tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp liquid aminos or GF soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1/2 tbsp Arrowroot (or corn starch) mixed with 1 tbsp of water
• Green onions for garnish
• Steamed rice (cooked separately)

What to do: 

To make this gluten free orange chicken, grab four bowls. Fill them accordingly:

Bowl #1- the cubed chicken

Bowl #2- 1/2 cup GF flour + 2 tsp paprika

Bowl #3- 1 cup DIY dairy free buttermilk (to make your own dairy free version of buttermilk stir together 1 cup coconut milk + 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar). Let it sit 5 minutes before using. 

Bowl #4- 1/2 cup flour + 1 tsp salt + 1/4 tsp baking powder + 1/4 tsp baking soda.

Put oil in a skillet and create an assembly line with a large glass baking dish at the end to place the chicken in when it is done frying. 

Preheat the oven to 450.

Dredge a piece of chicken in the first bowl of flour, then dip it in the buttermilk, then dredge it again in the second bowl of flour. Place it in the pan and repeat the steps for the rest of the chicken. Generally, you will cook the chicken in 2 batches.

Rotate the pieces until they brown on all sides and look crispy. You do not have to cook the chicken all the way through because once you’re done with this quick fry, you will place the chicken in the glass baking dish and bake it in the oven for 25 minutes. 

While the chicken is baking in a medium saucepan add the orange juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, liquid aminos, paprika, garlic, ginger, salt and orange zest. Mix to combine with a wooden spoon. 

In a small bowl stir together the arrowroot and tepid water. Mix until the arrowroot is dissolved and the mixture looks milky. Add it to the saucepan, stir and bring it to a boil. Keep the sauce boiling for 1-2 minutes longer so that it thickens. 

When the chicken is done baking, Gently stir it into the sauce until it is all coated. 

Serve over steamed rice, garnish with some green onions and enjoy! Since I became gluten free, this is the closest thing to Panda Express I’ve had.

Be sure and post what you had for dinner tonight either here or in my SGF community. It’s always so fun to share ideas. See you next time!