Keto Orange Chicken
Published August 13, 2026
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
When you’re craving Chinese takeout, this keto orange chicken hits the spot with crispy chicken coated in a sticky, sweet and tangy orange sauce. It’s surprisingly easy to make at home with a simple low carb coating and 3-ingredient sauce and I think it gives Panda Express a run for its money!
I’ve made a lot of low carb versions of takeout favorites over the years, and this keto orange chicken is one of my favorites because I finally figured out how to get that light, crispy coating I want without using a traditional flour-based breading. The chicken stays juicy inside with a crisp, almost beer-batter-style coating on the outside, and once it’s tossed in the sticky orange sauce, you get that sweet, tangy takeout flavor in every bite.
Why this keto orange chicken beats other recipes
- I use whey protein powder instead of pork panko. A lot of keto orange chicken recipes rely on crushed pork rinds or pork panko for the breading. They work, but they give the chicken more of a crumb-coated texture and can add a noticeable pork flavor. Whey protein powder creates a much lighter coating that reminds me more of a chicken nugget or beer-battered crust, which is closer to what I want in orange chicken.
- The breading is really only 2 main ingredients. No complicated blend of keto flours or specialty ingredients here. I wanted a coating that was easy, crispy and actually stayed on the chicken, especially once the sauce was added.
- The orange sauce has just 3 ingredients. Instead of squeezing oranges and adding a long list of ingredients, I use sugar-free orange marmalade as my shortcut. It gives me that concentrated orange flavor along with the thick, sticky consistency we want from orange chicken sauce.
- BBQ sauce is my unexpected sauce shortcut. It may sound strange in orange chicken, but low carb BBQ sauce adds depth, tanginess and a little extra sweetness while helping create that glossy sauce that clings to the crispy chicken.
- It satisfies that takeout craving without all the sugar. Traditional orange chicken gets a lot of its sweetness from a sugar-heavy sauce. By using sugar-free marmalade and low carb BBQ sauce, I can get that same sweet, sticky orange flavor while keeping the carbs much lower.
What I especially love about this recipe is that it looks and tastes like something that should be much more complicated to make. The simple breading and 3-ingredient sauce make it doable for a weeknight dinner, but you still get crispy, saucy keto orange chicken that feels like you ordered your favorite Chinese takeout.
Explore hundreds of keto recipe videos with step-by-step instructions, tips, and tricks to make keto easy.
Ingredients
2 lbs skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes -
2 large eggs
-
1 tablespoon water
-
1 ⅔ cup whey protein powder
-
1 teaspoon baking powder
-
1 teaspoon garlic powder
-
1/2 teaspoon salt
-
1 cup sugar-free orange marmalade
-
1 cup low carb BBQ sauce
-
2 tablespoons soy sauce
-
Avocado oil, for frying
Step by Step Instructions
Step by Step Instructions
Heat the cooking oil
Pour enough avocado oil into a large skillet to cover the bottom of the skillet by 1 cm. Heat the oil over medium heat until it’s around 325-350 degrees F.
Make batter
Grab two shallow bowls. In the first bowl, whisk together the eggs and water. In the second bowl, mix together the protein powder, baking powder, garlic powder, and salt.
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 ⅔ cup unflavored protein powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Batter the chicken in batches
Once the oil is hot enough, begin coating the chicken. Working in 3-4 batches, drop the cubed chicken into the egg wash. Using your hands, mix the chicken around to get evenly coated with the wash from all sides. Then transfer the pieces to the protein powder mixture. Using your other clean hand move the pieces around to get completely coated on all sides. Only coat the number of chicken pieces you intend to fry right away because the breading tends to absorb moisture from the chicken as it sits, which means you won’t get that perfect crunchy crust on the outside when fried.
Fry the chicken pieces
Carefully lower each piece into the hot oil and fry for around 2 ½ minutes on each side or until golden brown on the outside and cooked through. Remove chicken and place on a paper towel lined plate. Continue with remaining batches. Drain the oil from the skillet once completed.
Make the orange sauce
Once all the chicken is coated and fried, make the sauce. In a small bowl or glass measuring cup, mix the orange marmalade, BBQ sauce, and soy sauce.
- 1 cup sugar-free orange marmalade
- 1 cup low-carb BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
Coat chicken with sauce
Pour the sauce into the skillet, stir in the chicken, and heat over medium heat until the sauce is thick and bubbling (about 4-5 minutes). Serve immediately.
Nutrition disclaimer
The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.
Your Macros. Your Recipes. Calculated in 60 Seconds.
Get personalized keto macros and instantly see which recipes fit your targets. No more guessing what to eat.
Get My Macros + Recipes →Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use pork panko instead of whey protein powder?
You can, but the texture will be different. Pork panko creates more of a crumb-style breading, while whey protein gives the chicken a lighter, almost chicken nugget or beer-batter-style crust. I prefer whey protein for this particular recipe.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
Absolutely. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well and tend to stay extra juicy. Just cut them into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
What can I substitute for soy sauce?
Tamari is an easy gluten-free substitute for soy sauce. Coconut aminos can also work, although it tends to be slightly sweeter and less salty, so the finished sauce may taste a little different.
Does keto orange chicken actually contain oranges?
My version doesn't use fresh oranges or orange juice. Instead, I use sugar-free orange marmalade, which gives the sauce concentrated orange flavor and helps create that thick, sticky consistency without adding all the sugar from a traditional orange chicken sauce.
How do I keep the chicken crispy after adding the sauce?
Don't toss the chicken with the orange sauce until you're ready to serve it. The coating will naturally soften the longer it sits in the sauce, so for the crispiest orange chicken, fry the chicken first and toss it with the warmed sauce right before eating.
