I never thought I'd be making a grain-free, gluten-free, SCD orange sesame chicken using simple, nutritious ingredients including oranges, honey, chicken thighs, and tomato paste.
There was a time in my life when I subsisted on New York City Chinese takeout, late at night after work and a workout. My favorite dish was orange chicken, lightly floured and fried, and then bathed in a syrupy sweet and tangy orange sauce. I doubt I need to describe it any further-I have a feeling you know which dish I'm referring to, especially if you've ever ordered Chinese takeout in America.
There's also the timeless tradition of having Chinese food during the end-of-year holidays. Here's a great summary of the Chinese-on-Christmas tradition.
This is the slow-cook version of orange sesame chicken, and I posted the fast-cook version as well. I use an InstantPot, but any slow-cooker will work.
I love eating this dish with steamed vegetables-snap peas, broccoli, cauliflower and carrots or any other favorites. It's great on rice if you eat gluten-free grains, or try the simple stovetop cauliflower rice recipe for grain-free white "rice".
Julia says
Hi Erica! I would like to try this in my InstantPot. Have you tried yet? Do you have any suggestions? Also I don’t see the answer to if using a slow cooker, 2-4 hours on HIGH or LOW? In case I use either my slow cooker or slow cook feature on the InstantPot. Thanks!
Erica says
Good question! I use the InstantPot for this recipe and cook it on the low setting. I just updated the post to add that info. Thank you!
Julia says
Thanks so much! Looking forward to making this for Christmas dinner. Might make it a new family tradition to celebrate the 1/2 Jew in me
Erica says
Ha! Happy holidays 🙂
Lisa says
I needed an orange sauce to baste a duck with. This works wonderful!
Erica says
ooh, great idea!
Mary Bloom says
Sorry to post 3 times but did not realize the question was posted.
Erica says
no worries. all the exceptions and tidbits are usually in the headnotes 🙂
Mary Bloom says
Is this recipe cooked in a slow cooker on low or high for 2 to 4 minutes and also sesame seeds are not listed in the ingredients but they are in the text of the recipe.
Thank You
Mary Bloom says
In the body of the text in this recipe you mentioned sesame seeds but they're not on the ingredients list but even more important is the slow cooker on low or high for 2 to 4 hours ?
Thank You
Mary Bloom says
Just trying my first recipe from your site. In the recipe ingredients you leave out sesame seeds and yet you have them in the body of the text also is the slow cooker on low or high for 2 to 4 hours ?
Thank you
Alyssa Stollwerk says
Hi Erica,
I love your website and have your book. Love them both! Thank you for your recipes I have made dozens of them. I want to try this orange chicken tomorrow, but I have 2 questions...can I use breast meat I stead of thighs? And tomato paste is not listed as a legal item on SCD. Could I use diced tomatoes or do you have another suggestion? Thanks!
Erica says
Thanks! Yes, chicken breast is fine too, it just cooks faster. tomato paste with no additives is ok with SCD. just check the label to make sure the only thing added is tomatoes (citric acid is ok too).
Alyssa Stollwerk says
Erica, thanks for clarifying that about tomato paste. Also on the list as illegal is sesame seeds on the Breaking the Vicious Cycle book. Is there something I don't know about sesame seeds because I have been avoiding them.
pamela says
Would like a menu plan ie breadfast lunch, dinner and snacks that I can follow
Thanks for this site. Can't wait to start
Erica says
Thanks, Pamela! working on it 🙂
Tracy says
This looks wonderful and I can't wait to try it this week!Thanks!
Erica says
it is wonderful - thanks!