Orange Chicken

"Orange Chicken" lands at 32.5g of protein for 288 calories a serving, which makes it an easy way to hit a protein target on Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or Zepbound without overeating. It leans pungent and spicy, so save it for a day your stomach is settled rather than right after an injection.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup freshly-squeezed orange juice
• 1/4 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
• 2 tbsp soy sauce (Tamari for gluten-free)
• 2 tbsp white or brown sugar (or sugar substitute)
• 1 tbsp Chinese rice wine
• 1 tbsp sriracha (or more to taste)
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 2 teaspoons corn starch
• 20 oz skinless (boneless chicken breast (cut into small cubes))
• kosher salt (to taste)
• 1 1/2 tbsp corn starch
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 1- inch grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 2 tbsp chopped scallions
• 1/2 tsp sesame seeds (for garnish)

Method

1. 1Stir together the orange sauce — the orange juice, chicken broth, soy sauce, sugar, rice wine, sriracha, rice vinegar, white pepper and 2 teaspoons cornstarch — and set aside.
2. 2Season the chicken lightly with salt and toss to coat evenly in the cornstarch; set aside.
3. 3Heat a wok over high, add 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and cook half the chicken 2–3 minutes per side until well browned; remove.
4. 4Add another teaspoon of oil and repeat with the remaining chicken, 2–3 minutes per side; set aside with the first batch.
5. 5Add the last teaspoon of oil and stir-fry the garlic and ginger until fragrant, about 1 minute.
6. 6Stir in the orange zest, then return the chicken to the pan.
7. 7Toss quickly, pour in the orange sauce, and cook until it thickens, 1–2 minutes.
8. 8Divide among 4 plates and top with scallions and sesame seeds.

Tips for GLP-1 appetites

• Not the gentlest option on a rough stomach day — better suited to when appetite and digestion feel normal.
• Go lighter on the strong aromatics (garlic, onion, spice rub) if smells are a trigger right now.
• At 32.5g of protein a serving, this alone gets you a meaningful chunk of the way to a daily 80–120g protein target.