Semi Homemade is my favorite way to do anything. Honestly, I guess this recipe is more homemade than not – since I totally do the dish the way I want, but instead of trying to perfect my own perfect orange sauce… I take a short cut.

A SECRET short cut that you’re going to love {if you can find it in a grocer near you}! Actually, there are 2 secrets to this recipe and I’m sharing them with you!

I’ve been using my Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil for oil pulling, but I decided to try one of it’s other most popular uses – cooking with coconut oil!

I haven’t tried any baking with it yet, although I hear it’s incredible to bake with. I’ve simply been susbstituing my normal uses of olive oil with the coconut oil and have been very pleased with the results.

Although I can’t claim any health benefits for the virgin coconut oil, others have so I feel good about that part of the switch. I also am really loving the extra flavor.] Just a hint of coconut in my foods.] Although, I’m sure you get used to it after awhile, now it’s a nice surprise!

Semi-Homemade Orange Chicken with Fried Rice

You’ll need:

• 2-3 Chicken Breasts or a pack of Chicken Fryer Tenders
• Chicken Breader {or flour – whatever you use for breading}
• Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil for sauteeing
• My *secret* ingredient of spices – see below!] {I’m keeping it a secret as long as possible!}
• Extra Veggies! I like to toss in zucchini, mushrooms, onion, and broccoli!
• Rice
• Butter
• Garlic
• Soy Sauce

For sauteeing, you use the Coconut Oil just like you would any other oil you’re cooking with. It is in a solid form, but it melts very quickly in your pan.

Once it’s melted, warm, and spreading through the pan – I add the ingredients.

After cutting your chicken into strips, cubes {however you like it} you can either put it straight in a pan OR bread it. I like to use a chicken breader just to give the dish a little extra umphf!

The first thing that I noticed when using the coconut oil to cook the chicken is that it stays so pretty and white. It also smells SO DELICIOUS in your kitchen!

While your chicken is sauteeing {which only takes a few minutes}, get your rice ready. There are so many types of rice, but since I like things fast and easy, I prepare Minute Rice and then put it on a plate to cool and dry.] Making fried rice is so much easier if your rice is cool and dry, otherwise it likes to stick together.

My cast iron pot turns out to be the best pot to use to make fried rice. While it’s heating up, I put in a couple of tablespoons of butter and a tablespoon of chopped garlic.] When it’s hot and ready, I add the rice.] I top off the rice with some salt, pepper, and soy sauce.

Some people add an egg and fry it alongside the rice – I like it without.

I like easy dishes and easy cleanup so I do everything in one pan.] You can either take your chicken out of your pan, once it’s cooked and add veggies or just add you veggies right into your pan with your chicken. Both ways work.

Once your veggies are the consistency that you want, you add the secret ingredient!

This stuff is delish! It’s the perfect mix of spices and makes preparing chinese dishes at home easy. I haven’t seen it at our local Walmart, but get it at our local grocery store.

Mix the Panda Brand Sauce for Orange Chicken in with your chicken and veggies and get it nice and warm.

Then serve atop your fried rice!

What’s your favorite Asian-inspired dish to serve at home?