This recipe for Weight Watchers Asian Orange Chicken is a super easy, 6-ingredient, lighter dinner recipe to enjoy.
I first tried this recipe years ago when I was on Weight Watchers. It’s likely one of those recipes I got at one of the meetings, and I’ve held onto it because it was good enough to try even if you’re not following the WW plan. Just like my recipes for Weight Watchers Pizza and Weight Watchers Spaghetti Bolognese, this recipe can be eaten and enjoyed by anyone who is just looking for a lighter meal. But, if you do happen to be following the Weight Watchers WW plan, you’ll find a link to the WW Points on the recipe card at the end of this post.
It’s one of those super easy, one-skillet, easy chicken dinner recipes where you don’t have to make a big mess using several pans. You can serve it with or without rice, and maybe serve some vegetables on the side too.
Ingredients needed:
- sesame oil
- chicken breast
- canned mandarin oranges
- chicken broth
- soy sauce
- cornstarch
- salt and pepper
How to make Weight Watchers Asian Orange Chicken:
Heat sesame oil in a skillet. Why sesame oil? It has great Asian flavor to it. You can use canola or vegetable oil, but you’ll be missing out on that flavor we’re looking for here.
Salt and pepper chicken breasts, and cook those in the hot skillet until golden on both sides. I usually like to buy the thin cut chicken for recipes like this. It cooks more quickly and evenly.
Add canned mandarin oranges to the skillet, along with ¼ cup of the liquid from the can; simmer.
Combine chicken broth with soy sauce and cornstarch.
Add the sauce to the pan and simmer until the chicken is cooked through. Sprinkle some chopped green onion on top, for garnish, if desired.
If you aren’t following any kind of meal plan, then you can just enjoy this Weight Watchers Asian Orange Chicken as a lighter, super easy-to-make chicken dinner. This recipe does not have a heavy, sticky, Asian orange sauce. It’s a lighter sauce with orange flavor. We love it at my house, and I hope you like it too. It might even go on your “make again” list. Enjoy!
Weight Watchers Asian Orange Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 16 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast
- salt and pepper, to taste
- One 15-ounce can mandarin oranges, in light syrup
- ½ cup fat free chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- chopped green onion, for garnish (optional)
- cooked rice, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper; add the chicken to the skillet and cook until golden on both sides.
- Drain the oranges and reserve ¼ cup of liquid. Add the oranges with the reserved liquid to the skillet and simmer for 2 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the broth, soy sauce and cornstarch; add the mixture to the pan and simmer until the sauce thickens and the chicken is cooked through, about 3 minutes more.
Notes
- Nutritional information is for chicken and sauce only, divided up into four equal portions. If serving rice, that should be counted as extra.
- If you are preparing this recipe as gluten-free, be sure to use brands of mandarin oranges, broth and soy sauce that are known to be GF.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I made this tonight and loved it so much! If you are craving orange chicken but want a healthier option this is perfect. I cooked it as directed and served it over white rice and steamed vegetables.
Can these recipes be frozen. I’m on my own
You can certainly try!
This recipe is amazing! I make the sauce by using orange juice instead of the chicken broth, add a dash of nutmeg and a handful of chopped walnuts. So super good! Thanks for sharing!