Irresistibly Easy Slow Cooker Orange Chicken Recipe

Weeknight dinners just got more exciting with this innovative slow cooker orange chicken that delivers restaurant-quality flavor right in your kitchen.

Coming home to a fragrant meal that practically prepares itself while you tackle other tasks.

Tender chicken pieces swim in a vibrant, tangy sauce that balances sweet and zesty notes perfectly.

Every bite promises a delightful blend of citrusy brightness and comforting warmth.

Home cooks can easily master this foolproof recipe without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

North American palates will love how effortlessly this dish comes together with minimal prep work.

The magic happens inside your slow cooker, transforming simple ingredients into a memorable meal everyone will request again and again.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for those busy evenings when convenience meets incredible taste.

Why Easy Slow Cooker Orange Chicken Is A Flavor Bomb

• Effortless Flavor Explosion: This slow cooker orange chicken delivers mouthwatering taste with minimal kitchen effort, transforming simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal that'll wow your family.
• Customize Your Comfort: The recipe offers flexible cooking options like searing for extra depth or skipping that step, making it perfect for busy home cooks with different skill levels and time constraints.
• Hands-Off Cooking Magic: Using a slow cooker means you can set it and forget it, allowing the chicken to become incredibly tender while developing rich, tangy-sweet flavors without constant monitoring.
• Quick Weeknight Wonder: From prep to plate in under an hour, this dish solves dinner dilemmas by providing a delicious, balanced meal that pairs beautifully with rice or noodles and looks impressive with minimal work.

Everything You Need For Easy Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

• Chicken: Tender meat that forms the base of the dish, preferably boneless and skinless for easy cooking.

• Cornstarch, Salt, Black Pepper: Provides a light crispy exterior, enhances flavor, and helps chicken brown nicely.

• Orange Marmalade, Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar, Sesame Oil: Combines sweet, tangy, and savory flavors for a rich and complex sauce.

• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Adds fresh, bright flavor and crunchy texture to the final dish.

• Rice, Noodles, Vegetables: Provides a complementary base and side for the orange chicken.

• Olive Oil: Helps sear chicken and create a golden-brown exterior with a mild flavor.

How To Make Easy Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

Step 1: Coat Chicken in Crispy Goodness

• Grab chicken pieces
• Sprinkle cornstarch
• Add salt
• Dust with black pepper

Massage the seasonings into the chicken until every piece is evenly covered with a light, powdery coating.

Step 2: Create Golden Flavor Base

• Warm olive oil in a skillet
• Set heat to medium-high
• Gently place chicken pieces in hot pan
• Sear each side until edges turn light golden brown

This quick searing step brings out incredible depth of flavor and creates a beautiful texture.

Step 3: Whip Up Magical Sauce

• Orange marmalade
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Sesame oil

Blend ingredients until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Combine Chicken and Sauce

• Transfer seared chicken to slow cooker
• Pour sauce over chicken
• Gently stir to ensure every piece gets coated

Ensure each chicken piece is lovingly embraced by the vibrant sauce.

Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection

• Cover slow cooker
• Set to low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours
• Wait until chicken becomes fork-tender and juicy

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

• Sprinkle chopped green onions
• Scatter sesame seeds on top
• Place over steamed rice or noodles
• Add side of crisp vegetables

Get ready for a flavor explosion that will make taste buds dance!

Smart Tips For Easy Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

• Cornstarch Coating Trick: Ensure even, light coating by shaking chicken pieces in a sealed bag with cornstarch mixture for perfect golden exterior.
• Searing Shortcut: Skip browning for faster prep, but searing adds rich, caramelized flavor that enhances overall taste of the dish.
• Sauce Balance Hack: Adjust sauce sweetness by mixing orange marmalade with fresh orange juice for brighter, less concentrated citrus flavor.
• Meal Prep Magic: Make extra sauce and store separately to refresh leftovers, preventing chicken from becoming soggy when reheating.
• Diet-Friendly Swap: Replace chicken with tofu or tempeh for vegetarian version, keeping same cooking method and sauce ingredients.

How To Store And Reheat Easy Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

• Refrigerate: Store leftover orange chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled chicken to freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum flavor and texture.
• Reheat Stovetop: Warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying. Stir gently until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
• Microwave Option: Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

Great Pairings For Easy Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

• Zest Up with Citrus Cocktails: Pair this tangy orange chicken with a bright, refreshing blood orange margarita or a crisp mandarin gin spritzer to complement the dish's citrusy notes.
• Rice and Harmony: Serve the chicken over jasmine rice or coconut rice to absorb the savory-sweet sauce, creating a perfect flavor balance that enhances every bite.
• Green Crunch Companions: Add a side of steamed bok choy or stir-fried snow peas to provide a crisp, fresh contrast to the tender, saucy chicken, bringing balance to the meal.
• Sparkling Beverage Boost: Choose a light, slightly sweet German Riesling or a cold Asian lager that cuts through the richness and complements the orange and soy flavors in the dish.

Ways To Switch Up Easy Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

• Spicy Citrus Kick: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the orange marmalade mixture for a fiery version that tingles your taste buds. The heat complements the sweet and tangy orange sauce perfectly.
• Tropical Fusion Chicken: Replace orange marmalade with pineapple preserves and add a splash of coconut aminos for a Hawaiian-inspired flavor profile. Garnish with toasted coconut flakes for extra tropical flair.
• Herb-Infused Orange Chicken: Mix fresh thyme or rosemary into the sauce for an aromatic herbal dimension. Dried herbs work well too, providing a sophisticated undertone to the classic slow cooker recipe.
• Ginger Zest Edition: Incorporate fresh grated ginger or ground ginger powder into the sauce for a warm, slightly spicy complexity. This variation adds depth and traditional Asian-inspired notes to the chicken dish.

Questions About Easy Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

• Why coat the chicken in cornstarch before cooking?

Cornstarch creates a light, crispy exterior that helps seal in moisture and allows the sauce to stick better to the chicken, giving it a more delicious and textured finish.

• Can I skip searing the chicken?

While searing is optional, it adds depth of flavor and helps develop a golden-brown color on the chicken. If you’re short on time, you can skip this step without significantly impacting the overall taste.

• What if I don't have orange marmalade?

You can substitute orange marmalade with apricot jam, peach preserves, or even orange juice concentrate mixed with a little honey to achieve a similar sweet and tangy flavor profile.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The basic recipe is not spicy. If you want to add some heat, you can include a dash of red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce when mixing the sauce ingredients to give it a little kick.

Easy Slow Cooker Orange Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savor zesty orange chicken that dances with tangy, sweet flavors from your trusty slow cooker. Tender chicken pieces coated in a glossy citrus sauce promise a simple yet spectacular dinner that brings Chinese-inspired comfort right to your table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Dry Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup (40 grams) cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 cup (340 grams) orange marmalade
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) sesame oil

Optional Garnish:

• Sliced green onions
• Sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Dredge chicken pieces thoroughly in a mixture of cornstarch, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring each morsel is completely and evenly coated.
2. In a heavy-bottomed skillet, warm olive oil over medium-high heat and gently sear chicken pieces for approximately 2-3 minutes per side, creating a delicate golden-brown exterior that will enhance the dish’s overall flavor profile.
3. Prepare the vibrant sauce by whisking together tangy orange marmalade, rich soy sauce, bright rice vinegar, and aromatic sesame oil in a mixing bowl until the ingredients are smoothly integrated.
4. Carefully transfer the seared chicken into the slow cooker, then cascade the prepared sauce over the meat, using a spatula to ensure each piece is thoroughly and evenly bathed in the zesty liquid.
5. Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the chicken to simmer on low temperature for 4-5 hours, or alternatively on high temperature for 2-3 hours, until the meat becomes incredibly tender and fully cooked through.
6. Once cooking is complete, gently stir the chicken to redistribute the sauce and ensure maximum flavor penetration.
7. Plate the succulent orange chicken over a bed of steamed rice or delicate noodles, then elegantly garnish with thinly sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for added texture and visual appeal.

Notes

• Ensure chicken pieces are similar in size for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Searing chicken beforehand is optional but highly recommended to develop a rich, caramelized exterior that enhances overall flavor profile.
• Adjust sauce sweetness by choosing between smooth or chunky orange marmalade; smooth creates a silkier sauce while chunky adds textural interest.
• For gluten-free adaptation, replace traditional soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to maintain authentic Asian-inspired flavor without compromising dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 20g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 90mg