Vegetarian Orange Chicken and Rice

Savor a plant-based twist on a takeout favorite with this Vegetarian Orange Chicken and Rice recipe! Crispy, golden cubes of extra-firm tofu are coated in a sticky-sweet orange sauce made with fresh orange juice, soy sauce, and a hint of ginger for a zesty kick. Served over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice, this dish is elevated with vibrant garnishes of green onions and crunchy sesame seeds. Quick and easy to prepare in just 45 minutes, it’s an irresistible combination of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests. This recipe is a must-try for anyone seeking a healthier, vegetarian-friendly version of classic orange chicken!

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 14 oz extra-firm tofu
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 0.25 cup soy sauce
• 1 cup orange juice
• 0.25 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp ginger powder
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 cup uncooked jasmine rice
• 0.25 cup green onions, sliced
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

Directions

Step 1

Press the tofu: Remove the tofu from its package and press it to remove excess moisture. Cut into 1-inch cubes.

Step 2

In a medium-sized bowl, toss the tofu cubes with cornstarch until they are well-coated.

Step 3

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the tofu cubes and fry until golden and crispy, about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove the tofu from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Reduce the heat to medium and add soy sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic powder, ginger powder, orange zest, and red pepper flakes.

Step 5

Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for about 5-7 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken.

Step 6

In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until it forms a slurry. Add this to the sauce and stir continuously until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, approximately 2 minutes.

Step 7

Return the fried tofu to the skillet and stir to coat the tofu evenly with the orange sauce.

Step 8

Meanwhile, cook the jasmine rice according to package instructions.

Step 9

To serve, place a portion of jasmine rice on a plate, top it with the orange tofu, and sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1156.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2173.2

Total Fat 78.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 11.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 27.4g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2392.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 291.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.5g	0%
Total Sugars 59.7g
Protein 85.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2854.0mg	0%
Iron 16.6mg	0%
Potassium 1954.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 32.0%

Protein: 15.4%

Carbs: 52.6%