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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.
Check out more of my easy recipes:
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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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Michelle says
This looks like a great weeknight meal I love recipes that use trader joe’s products since I am always trying to find a creative way to use them
Leigh Anne says
Hope you enjoy it. Trader Joes is the best!
Chelan Allen says
Just put this in my crockpot. That sauce is fantastic!
Leigh Anne says
Hope your family enjoy it!
Liz says
Love this recipe. Thank you.
Leigh Anne says
Thanks Liz!
Jane D. Huffines says
This looks very good! I plan to make this in the next week or two. That said, am not a big fan of thighs, so would use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead – as you suggested. I also do NOT like ginger, so a the risk of screwing up the taste of the whole thing, I think I will forego using it. This will change the taste, I know, but I’m gonna have to risk it. 😀
Leigh Anne says
Jane. I hope you enjoy it and I’m sure it will be fine without the ginger.
Marnie says
This looks yummy! But, I hate to buy a specialty item like sweet chili sauce without any other ways to use it. Can you share any more ideas?
Leigh Anne says
love using the sweet chili sauce as a dipping sauce.