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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Dredge chicken pieces thoroughly in a mixture of cornstarch, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring each morsel is completely and evenly coated.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Once cooking is complete, gently stir the chicken to redistribute the sauce and ensure maximum flavor penetration.
- 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