Orange peel chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish made with deep-fried chicken coated in a sweet and savory sauce made with orange peel. A single serving of 400g contains 1820 calories which may seem like a lot but this dish is a great source of energy and is quite filling.

In terms of nutritional information, one serving provides 128g of fat, 228g of carbohydrates, and 84g of protein. It is also high in sodium, sugar, and cholesterol. It's important to keep in mind that orange peel chicken should not be considered a healthy food due to its high calorie and fat content. However, it can be enjoyed in moderation as a tasty treat.

In this article, we'll explore some tips for enjoying orange peel chicken in a healthier way and ways to balance it out with other healthy foods.

Calories in Orange Peel Chicken

Orange peel chicken is a high-calorie dish due to the deep-fried chicken and sugar-filled sauce. A single serving of 400g contains 1820 calories, which is equivalent to a staggering 91% of an adult's daily recommended calorie intake. Consuming high-calorie meals on a regular basis can lead to weight gain and increase the risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. It's important to enjoy orange peel chicken in moderation and balance it out with other healthier foods. To reduce the calorie content of this dish, you can opt for a baked or grilled chicken instead of deep-frying it. You can also lower the sugar content by using natural sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup instead of adding refined sugar to the sauce.

Fat in Orange Peel Chicken

Orange peel chicken is also high in fat with one serving providing 128g of fat, which is equivalent to 197% of an adult's daily recommended fat intake. Consuming high amounts of fat on a regular basis can increase the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. To reduce the fat content of this dish, you can opt for a leaner cut of chicken such as chicken breast instead of using chicken thighs or wings. You can also bake or grill the chicken instead of deep-frying it to reduce the amount of oil used in the cooking process. It's also important to control the portion size of orange peel chicken and balance it out with healthier foods such as vegetables and whole grains.

Carbohydrates in Orange Peel Chicken

One serving of orange peel chicken provides 228g of carbohydrates, which is equivalent to 76% of an adult's daily recommended carbohydrate intake. While carbohydrates are an important source of energy, consuming too many refined carbohydrates can lead to a spike in blood sugar levels and increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It's important to balance out the carbohydrate content of orange peel chicken by including healthy carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in your diet. You can also lower the carbohydrate content of this dish by using natural sweeteners such as honey instead of refined sugar in the sauce.

Protein in Orange Peel Chicken

One serving of orange peel chicken provides 84g of protein, which is equivalent to 168% of an adult's daily recommended protein intake. Protein is an important nutrient for building and repairing tissues in the body. However, it's important to balance the protein content of orange peel chicken with healthy sources of protein such as lean meats, fish, and plant-based sources such as beans and legumes. To reduce the fat content of this dish, you can opt for lean cuts of chicken such as chicken breast instead of chicken thighs or wings.

Sodium in Orange Peel Chicken

Orange peel chicken is also high in sodium with one serving providing 2380mg of sodium, which is equivalent to 103% of an adult's daily recommended sodium intake. Consuming high amounts of sodium can increase blood pressure and increase the risk of developing heart disease. It's important to limit the amount of sodium in your diet by choosing low-sodium alternatives and limiting the amount of processed and packaged foods you consume. To reduce the sodium content of orange peel chicken, you can use low-sodium soy sauce and limit the amount of salt used in the cooking process.

Sugar in Orange Peel Chicken

Orange peel chicken is also high in sugar with one serving providing 136g of sugar, which is equivalent to 34 teaspoons of sugar. Consuming high amounts of sugar can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, obesity, and other health problems. It's important to limit the amount of added sugars in your diet and opt for natural sweeteners such as fruit or honey instead of using refined sugar. To reduce the sugar content of orange peel chicken, you can use natural sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup instead of using refined sugar in the sauce.

Fiber in Orange Peel Chicken

One serving of orange peel chicken provides very little fiber with only 2g of fiber per serving. Fiber is important for maintaining digestive health, reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, and promoting satiety. It's important to balance the low fiber content of orange peel chicken with high-fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. You can also increase the fiber content of this dish by adding vegetables such as broccoli, bell peppers, and onions to the recipe.

Cholesterol in Orange Peel Chicken

One serving of orange peel chicken provides 370mg of cholesterol, which is equivalent to 124% of an adult's daily recommended cholesterol intake. Consuming high amounts of cholesterol can increase the risk of developing heart disease and other health problems. It's important to limit the amount of cholesterol in your diet by avoiding foods high in saturated and trans fats and choosing lean cuts of meat. To reduce the cholesterol content of orange peel chicken, you can opt for leaner cuts of chicken such as chicken breast instead of using chicken thighs or wings. You can also bake or grill the chicken instead of deep-frying it to reduce the amount of oil used in the cooking process.

Vitamins in Orange Peel Chicken

Orange peel chicken is a good source of vitamin C and vitamin A. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that helps protect the body against harmful free radicals and supports the immune system. Vitamin A is important for maintaining healthy vision, skin, and mucous membranes. To increase the vitamin content of this dish, you can add more vegetables to the recipe such as bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots which are all high in vitamins and minerals.

Minerals in Orange Peel Chicken

Orange peel chicken is also a good source of minerals such as iron and calcium. Iron is important for healthy blood cells and carrying oxygen throughout the body. Calcium is important for maintaining healthy bones and teeth. To increase the mineral content of this dish, you can add more leafy greens such as spinach or kale to the recipe which are high in iron and calcium.