Crock Pot Chicken Orange

This Crock Pot Chicken Orange recipe is a sweet and savory dish, which uses orange marmalade and soy sauce. It’s a straightforward recipe, ready in about 3 hours and 10 minutes.

Crock Pot Chicken Orange Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or tenders, cut into bite-size pieces
• ⅓ cup cornstarch
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 ½ cups orange marmalade (about a 16 oz jar)
• ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (more for garnish)
• Scallions for garnish

How To Make Crock Pot Chicken Orange

1. Prep the chicken: Cut the chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces.
2. Coat with cornstarch: Add cornstarch to a shallow dish, toss in the chicken, and coat evenly.
3. Brown the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and lightly brown on all sides (do not cook through).
4. Add to slow cooker: Transfer browned chicken to a 6-quart slow cooker.
5. Make the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together marmalade, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds.
6. Pour sauce over chicken: Pour the sauce mixture into the slow cooker and stir to coat the chicken.
7. Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 2-3 hours. Stir halfway through cooking to prevent burning.
8. Serve and garnish: Garnish with chopped scallions and extra sesame seeds. Serve over rice.

Recipe Tips

• Can I use chicken thighs instead? Yes, boneless thighs work well and stay juicy during slow cooking.
• How to make it spicier: Increase red pepper flakes to 3/4 teaspoon for more heat.
• What kind of vinegar should I use? White vinegar works, but rice wine vinegar offers a more traditional flavor.
• Can I add vegetables? Yes, chopped red bell peppers can be added at the beginning for extra flavor and color.
• Do I need to brown the chicken first? Browning adds flavor but can be skipped for convenience.

What To Serve With Crock Pot Orange Chicken

This dish pairs well with simple sides. Try these options:

• Steamed jasmine or basmati rice
• Stir-fried vegetables
• Steamed broccoli
• Egg rolls or spring rolls
• Cucumber salad with sesame dressing

How To Store Orange Chicken

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Freeze cooled chicken and sauce in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat gently.

Orange Chicken Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 421 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 62g
• Protein: 34g
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 48g
• Sodium: 989mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I make Crock Pot Orange Chicken without marmalade?
You can substitute with a mix of fresh orange juice and a little honey, but it may change the texture and sweetness.

Why is my sauce too thin?
To thicken it, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking or stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water).

Can I prep this ahead of time?
Yes, coat and brown the chicken in advance and refrigerate. Mix sauce ingredients and store separately until ready to cook.

How to reheat orange chicken?
Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave. Add a splash of water if the sauce thickens too much.

Try More Recipes:

• Crock Pot Chicken Nachos
• Crock Pot Chicken Marsala
• Crock Pot Chicken Lasagna