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Slow Cooker Orange Chicken has a little sweet and a little heat! This easy chicken recipe is a perfect family dinner for a busy night.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
Great orange flavor. Thanks to the use of real, fresh squeezed orange juice the orange flavor in this dish is spot on. It’s not overwhelming and a bit of red pepper flakes helps balance the sweetness.
Quick and easy. Using the crock pot for this orange chicken makes it so easy. Just pour everything in, turn on the crock pot and dinner is ready when you are.
Better than Takeout: Not only is this better than takeout, it is quicker and healthier!
Ingredients Needed
- Boneless skinless Chicken Breasts. I used chicken tenderloins.
- Orange Juice and orange zest (fresh squeezed orange juice)
- Soy Sauce. Can use low sodium soy sauce if you prefer.
- Rice Wine Vinegar. You can also use white wine vinegar or white vinegar.
- Chicken Broth
- Brown Sugar
- Minced Garlic
- Minced Ginger
- Black Pepper
- Garlic
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Cornstarch
How to Make Slow Cooker Orange Chicken
- Combine all sauce ingredients in a bowl.
- Place chicken into slow cooker.
- Pour liquid over chicken.
- Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours or until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove chicken from slow cooker and cut into bite size pieces.
- Strain liquid in the slow cooker. Remove 1/4 cup of liquid and whisk in cornstarch.
- Pour liquid into a sauce pan and add in cornstarch slurry. Mix to combine.
- Cook liquid over medium high heat on stovetop until it boils and thickens.
- Pour orange sauce over chicken and serve. You won’t need all the liquid, there is a lot.
- Serve orange chicken over rice with a garnish of green onion and sesame seeds if desired.
Tips from leigh Anne
- Instead of chicken breasts you can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- To make cleanup easier use a slow cooker liner. Available here.
- I love having a timer on my slow cooker . This is my favorite slow cooker if you are in the market for a new one.
- I have found that most slow cooker recipes cook their chicken for too long, Depending on your heat setting it will be done in 2-4 hours. If it is finished cooking before you are ready to eat, just turn your slow cooker to warm.
Pair This With:
- Roasted Broccoli
- White rice, brown rice or cauliflower rice
- Fried rice
- Restaurant Style Green Beans
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will leftover orange chicken last?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, the chicken will last for 2-3 days. Reheat in the microwave. It can also be frozen in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, instead of using soy sauce use coconut aminos or tamari sauce.
Why is my chicken rubbery?
This happens when chicken is overcooked. Once chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F it is done. Be sure and follow the recommended cook times on the recipe.
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Slow Cooker Orange Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. chicken breasts boneless, skinless1
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup orange juice freshly squeezed
- 1 Tbsp orange zest
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tsp garlic minced
- 1/4 tsp ginger minced
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1-2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
Instructions
- Place chicken in bottom of slow cooker.
- Combine all sauce ingredients into a bowl, mix to combine.
- Pour sauce over chicken
- Cover and cook on low for about 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
- Remove chicken from cooker and cut into bite size pieces, cover with foil to keep warm.
- Strain liquid from crock pot and put into a saucepan on the stovetop.
- Mix together 1/4 cup of mixture with 2 tsp cornstarch. Mix until smooth
- Pour into sauce and stir over medium heat until thickened.
- Spoon sauce over chicken. There will be excess sauce
Tips & Notes:
- Instead of chicken breasts you can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- To make cleanup easier use a slow cooker liner. Available here.
- I love having a timer on my slow cooker . This is my favorite slow cooker if you are in the market for a new one.
- I have found that most slow cooker recipes cook their chicken for too long, Depending on your heat setting it will be done in 2-4 hours. If it is finished cooking before you are ready to eat, just turn your slow cooker to warm.
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Nutrition Facts:
Kathryn Warrior says
This was so delicious. A friend who is doing weight watchers was coming for dinner and I wanted to have something that she would feel comfortable eating. She loved it. It was so easy, I’m sure I’ll be making it again.
Jan Rhoades says
I love the idea of the citrus chicken and as winter approaches Down Under, I’m absolutely going to give it a try. Please tell me though, is that 4 hours on high or low? I’m thinking low but just wanted to check. Thanks. Jan in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia where it is an amazing autumn (fall) day.
Jenna says
Do you throw the thighs into the slow cooker whole and then dice them once they’re cooked? I can’t figure that out, ha.
Leigh Anne says
They are put in whole and then I served them whole.
Jaime says
Clearly I’m a bit dopey, but I can’t work out if I’m supposed to peel the orange or if the skin goes in too.
Looks delicious and I’d love to add it to my slow cooker collection!
Leigh Anne says
Nope, don’t peel it. You aren’t going to eat the orange, it is just in there for flavor
Harvey says
I never leave comments. This recipe is worth me breaking my rule! I made this tonight, and it was super easy. I didn’t make any changes to your recipe. My thighs were pretty butterflied because of the grocer’s deboning, so the chicken stayed in the cooker for 3hrs. Super tender and tasty. And that pan sauce. OMG that pan sauce! Thanks for this great, tasty dinner idea!
Leigh Anne says
Thank you so much for leaving a comment! I am so glad you loved the recipe too and that sauce is yummy, isn’t it!