Sizzling Slow Cooker Orange Chicken Recipe for Tangy Bliss

Crafting a delightful slow cooker orange chicken brings a burst of tangy sweetness to your dinner table.

Oranges transform ordinary chicken into a mouthwatering meal that surprises your taste buds.

Weeknight dinners just got easier with this simple yet flavorful dish.

Fragrant citrus notes dance through tender meat, creating a restaurant-quality experience at home.

Minimal prep work means you can enjoy more time relaxing instead of standing over the stove.

Juicy chicken pieces bathed in a vibrant sauce will make everyone at the table ask for seconds.

Let this recipe become your new go-to comfort meal that impresses without demanding hours of kitchen effort.

What Makes Orange Chicken in the Slow Cooker a Star

• Simplify Dinner Prep: Toss ingredients into the slow cooker and walk away, letting the appliance do all the hard work while you enjoy your day.
• Burst with Flavor: Combines sweet orange marmalade, tangy soy sauce, and spicy red pepper flakes for a complex, restaurant-quality taste that delights every bite.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Delivers a crowd-pleasing meal that appeals to both kids and adults, making mealtime stress-free and enjoyable for everyone around the table.
• Customize with Ease: Adjust spice levels by adding or reducing red pepper flakes, and serve over rice or noodles to match personal preferences and dietary needs.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

• Chicken Pieces: Tender meat that forms the base of this delicious slow cooker dish.

• Orange Marmalade, Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar, Brown Sugar: A sweet and tangy combination that creates a rich, flavorful sauce for the chicken.
• Garlic, Ginger: Aromatic ingredients that add depth and warmth to the overall flavor profile.
• Sesame Oil: Provides a nutty and distinctive Asian-inspired taste.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient that adds a subtle heat to the dish.

• Cornstarch, Water: Used to create a smooth, glossy sauce that coats the chicken perfectly.
• Green Onion, Sesame Seeds: Fresh garnishes that add color, texture, and a final layer of flavor to the dish.

Easy Steps to Cook Orange Chicken in a Crockpot

Step 1: Prep Chicken

Place chicken pieces evenly inside the slow cooker, ensuring they are spread out for consistent cooking.

Step 2: Create Flavor Explosion

• Orange marmalade
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Brown sugar
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger
• Sesame oil
• Red pepper flakes

Step 3: Coat Chicken With Sauce

Pour the entire whisked sauce over chicken, rotating the slow cooker to ensure every piece gets completely covered with the tangy mixture.

Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the slow cooker and cook on low temperature for 4-5 hours or high temperature for 2-3 hours. The chicken will become incredibly tender and absorb all the delicious flavors.

Step 5: Thicken Sauce

Fifteen minutes before serving, create a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with water until smooth. Stir this into the slow cooker to transform the sauce into a luxurious, glossy coating.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Transfer the succulent orange chicken over steamed rice or noodles. Sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds on top for an extra burst of flavor and beautiful presentation.

Foolproof Tips for Orange Chicken Perfection

• Opt for boneless, skinless chicken thighs for more tender and flavorful meat that holds up better in slow cooking.
• Adjust the heat level by reducing or increasing red pepper flakes to match your spice preference.
• Reduce sugar content by using low-sugar orange marmalade or replacing it with fresh orange juice and zest for a lighter version.
• Enhance meal prep by preparing sauce ingredients the night before and storing in the refrigerator for quick morning assembly.
• Ensure food safety by checking chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature using a meat thermometer before serving.

Fun Twists on Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

• Tropical Mango Splash: Replace orange marmalade with mango preserves, add a dash of lime juice, and sprinkle shredded coconut on top for a Hawaiian-inspired version.
• Spicy Szechuan Style: Increase red pepper flakes, add Szechuan peppercorns, and mix in some chili oil for a fiery, mouth-numbing experience.
• Honey Tangerine Blend: Swap orange marmalade for honey and tangerine juice, include fresh tangerine zest, and garnish with sliced almonds for a lighter, citrusy profile.
• Teriyaki Fusion: Substitute soy sauce with teriyaki sauce, add pineapple chunks during cooking, and finish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for an Asian-inspired variation.

What Goes Well with Orange Chicken

• Pair with Crisp Riesling: Select a slightly sweet German Riesling that complements the tangy orange and soy sauce flavors, balancing the dish's richness with its bright acidity.
• Serve with Jasmine Rice Pilaf: Create a light, fragrant rice side dish with toasted almonds and fresh herbs to enhance the orange chicken's citrusy and savory profile.
• Match with Crunchy Asian Slaw: Prepare a refreshing cabbage slaw with rice vinegar dressing and mandarin orange segments to provide a cool, crisp contrast to the warm, tender chicken.
• Enhance with Sesame Roasted Broccoli: Roast broccoli florets with sesame oil and seeds to echo the Asian-inspired flavors and add a nutritious, slightly charred vegetable accompaniment.

Store Slow Cooker Orange Chicken Without Stress

• Refrigerator Storage: Transfer leftover orange chicken to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Freezer Preservation: Pack the chicken in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2-3 months, maintaining best quality and flavor.
• Microwave Reheating: Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying. Cover and heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Stovetop Warming: Reheat chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a little water or orange sauce to keep the meat moist.

Orange Chicken Crockpot FAQs

• What are the key ingredients that make this orange chicken flavorful?

The combination of orange marmalade, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil creates a complex, sweet-tangy sauce that infuses the chicken with rich, vibrant flavors.

• Can I adjust the spice level of the dish?

Yes, you can control the heat by adding or reducing red pepper flakes. For a milder version, use fewer flakes or omit them completely; for more heat, increase the amount according to your preference.

• Is cornstarch necessary for the recipe?

Cornstarch is crucial for thickening the sauce, creating a glossy, restaurant-style consistency that helps the sauce cling to the chicken pieces more effectively.

Slow Cooker Orange Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes (low) or 2 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes (high)
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Zesty orange chicken brings tangy Asian-inspired flavors right to your dinner table. Effortless slow cooker magic turns simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

Sauce Ingredients:

• 0.75 cup orange marmalade
• 0.33 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 0.33 cup rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Thickening and Garnish:

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 green onion, chopped
• Sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Arrange chicken evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a single layer for uniform cooking.
2. Create a vibrant sauce by vigorously blending orange marmalade, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and optional red pepper flakes in a separate bowl.
3. Generously drench the chicken with the prepared sauce, ensuring complete and thorough coating of each piece.
4. Secure the slow cooker lid and set to low temperature for 4-5 hours or high temperature for 2-3 hours, allowing chicken to become supremely tender and fully cooked.
5. Fifteen minutes before serving, create a smooth cornstarch slurry by whisking cornstarch with water until no lumps remain.
6. Introduce the cornstarch mixture into the slow cooker, stirring gently to transform the sauce into a luxurious, glossy consistency.
7. Transfer the succulent orange-infused chicken onto a bed of steamed rice or delicate noodles.
8. Elevate the presentation by sprinkling freshly chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds as a final flourish.

Notes

• Swap orange marmalade with apricot jam or honey for a different sweet-tangy flavor profile that works perfectly for those who dislike intense orange notes.
• Create a gluten-free version by using tamari instead of traditional soy sauce and ensuring cornstarch is certified gluten-free.
• Reduce sauce’s sweetness by cutting brown sugar amount in half or using a sugar substitute like stevia for a healthier low-carb option.
• For extra heat lovers, increase red pepper flakes or add sriracha sauce during the last hour of cooking to boost spice levels without compromising chicken’s tenderness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4-5 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg