Description

This Slow Cooker Orange Chicken is a deliciously easy recipe featuring tender chicken pieces coated in a tangy and sweet orange marmalade sauce infused with ginger, garlic, and a hint of spice. Perfect for a hands-off dinner, this dish combines the convenience of a slow cooker with classic Asian-inspired flavors, delivering a rich and flavorful meal ideal to serve over rice.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or tenders, cut into bite size pieces
⅓ cup cornstarch
4 tablespoons olive oil

Sauce

1 1/2 cups orange marmalade (about a 16 oz jar)
1/2 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, plus more for garnish

Garnish

Chopped scallions
Extra sesame seeds

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken into approximately 1-inch pieces to ensure even cooking and bite-sized portions.
Coat with Cornstarch: Pour the cornstarch into a shallow dish, add the chicken pieces, and toss to evenly coat all sides, which helps create a light crust when browning.
Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken pieces and lightly brown them on each side, without cooking through—this seals in moisture and adds flavor.
Transfer to Slow Cooker: Place the lightly browned chicken into the basin of a 6-quart slow cooker for the next steps.
Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together orange marmalade, low sodium soy sauce, white vinegar, sesame oil, ground ginger, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds until fully combined.
Combine Chicken and Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker, then stir gently to ensure all pieces are well coated with the sauce.
Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook the mixture on LOW for 2 to 3 hours. Remember to check and stir halfway through cooking to prevent burning and evenly distribute flavors.
Garnish and Serve: Once cooked, garnish the dish with chopped scallions and a sprinkle of extra sesame seeds. Serve immediately over steamed rice for a complete meal.

Notes

To save time, the browning step can be skipped but adds extra flavor and texture.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can remove the lid during the last 30 minutes to allow the sauce to reduce.
Adjust the red pepper flakes to taste for desired spiciness.
Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for juicier results.
Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated; the sauce might thicken upon standing, so stir in a little water or broth when reheating if needed.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: Asian-American

Keywords: slow cooker orange chicken, orange chicken recipe, slow cooker chicken, easy orange chicken, crockpot chicken, Asian-style chicken, healthy orange chicken