Ready to level up your slow cooker game with a recipe that’s bursting with flavor? We’re talking about that sweet and tangy Slow Cooker Orange Chicken that’ll have your family licking their plates clean. This dish brings together the perfect balance of savory soy sauce, sweet orange marmalade, and a touch of heat. Best part? You can set it and forget it, making it a stress-free meal that’ll wow the crowd every time. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, hosting a gathering, or just want some killer leftovers, this Orange Chicken is about to become a regular on your menu.
Let’s be real – we all love a good takeout night, but nothing beats homemade. When you whip up this Slow Cooker Orange Chicken, you’re getting the best of both worlds: that classic takeout flavor you crave but with fresher ingredients and way more love. Plus, making it at home means you control everything—whether that’s cutting back on the salt or cranking up the spice. It’s simple, budget-friendly, and versatile, so you can make it your own. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, leaving you with tender, juicy chicken coated in a zesty orange glaze that’s downright addictive. Trust me, once you serve this, you’ll never want to pick up the phone for takeout again.
Ingredients
To create this crave-worthy Slow Cooker Orange Chicken, you’ll need:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ cups orange marmalade
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons vinegar (rice vinegar or apple cider works best)
- 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)
- Chopped scallions, for garnish
- Cooked rice or noodles, for serving
Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Slow Cooker Orange Chicken
Alright, now let’s get cooking! Follow these easy steps, and you’ll have that orange-glazed goodness ready to go in no time.
- Prep Your Chicken: Start by cutting your boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders into bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch in size.
- Coat the Chicken: Pour your cornstarch into a shallow dish or a zip-top bag. Add the chicken pieces and toss them until each piece is coated evenly in cornstarch. This helps give the chicken a nice, light crust when browned.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat up the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add your coated chicken pieces. You don’t need to cook them all the way through—just get a nice golden brown sear on each side. This step adds a ton of flavor and gives the chicken a great texture in the slow cooker.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Once your chicken is browned, transfer it into the basin of your slow cooker. We’re talking a 6-quart slow cooker here, but anything similar will work.
- Make the Sauce: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the orange marmalade, low-sodium soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, ground ginger, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds. This sauce is where all that bold flavor is coming from, so mix it well.
- Pour and Stir: Pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker. Stir everything together to make sure each piece of chicken is fully coated in that sweet and tangy goodness.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover your slow cooker and cook on LOW for about 3 hours. Check it about halfway through to give it a quick stir and make sure nothing’s sticking or burning.
- Finish and Serve: Once your chicken is fully cooked and tender, you’re ready to serve! Garnish with some chopped scallions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for that final touch of flavor and crunch.
- Serve Over Rice or Noodles: This dish is perfect served over a steaming bowl of white rice, brown rice, or even noodles if you’re feeling like switching it up.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Browning the Chicken: While it might be tempting to skip the browning step and toss the chicken straight into the slow cooker, don’t! Browning the chicken first adds layers of flavor and keeps the chicken from turning mushy during the slow cooking process.
- Control the Heat: If you like things spicy, feel free to up the amount of red pepper flakes. If you’re feeding little ones or prefer it mild, just dial it back a bit.
- Don’t Overcook: Keep an eye on the cook time. Chicken breasts can dry out if overcooked, even in a slow cooker. If you can, check the chicken after 2.5 hours and see if it’s already tender.
- For Extra Sauce: If you like your Orange Chicken extra saucy, feel free to double the sauce ingredients. The leftovers are perfect for drizzling over rice or dipping your chicken in.
15 Delicious Variations on Slow Cooker Orange Chicken
- Spicy Orange Chicken: Add a tablespoon of Sriracha or hot chili sauce to the orange sauce for extra heat.
- Honey Orange Chicken: Swap half of the orange marmalade for honey for a sweeter, stickier glaze.
- Orange Chicken with Veggies: Throw in some bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas into the slow cooker during the last hour of cooking for a complete meal.
- Orange Chicken with Pineapple: Add chunks of pineapple to the slow cooker for a tropical twist on the classic recipe.
- Crispy Orange Chicken: For a crispier finish, transfer the cooked chicken to a baking sheet and broil in the oven for a few minutes before serving.
- Gluten-Free Orange Chicken: Use a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari in the recipe to make it suitable for gluten-free diets.
- Keto Orange Chicken: Substitute the orange marmalade with a sugar-free orange sauce and use almond flour instead of cornstarch for coating the chicken.
- Crockpot Orange Chicken Wings: Switch out the chicken breasts for chicken wings for a finger-licking appetizer.
- Slow Cooker Orange Turkey: Swap the chicken for turkey breast or tenders for a leaner option.
- Orange Beef: Replace the chicken with thinly sliced beef for a hearty variation.
- Lemon Chicken: Use lemon marmalade instead of orange for a zesty twist on the dish.
- Teriyaki Orange Chicken: Add some teriyaki sauce to the mix for a richer, savory flavor.
- Peanut Butter Orange Chicken: Stir in a couple tablespoons of peanut butter for a creamy, nutty variation.
- Garlic Lover’s Orange Chicken: Double the amount of garlic for a more intense flavor.
- Herbed Orange Chicken: Toss in fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for an earthy undertone to balance the sweet and tangy sauce.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Orange Chicken: 15 Side Options
- Steamed White Rice: Classic pairing that soaks up all that delicious sauce.
- Brown Rice: A heartier, nuttier option if you want to keep things whole grain.
- Fried Rice: Go all out with a flavorful side of homemade fried rice.
- Lo Mein Noodles: Tender noodles are perfect for soaking up the orange sauce.
- Vegetable Stir-Fry: Keep it light with a quick stir-fry of mixed veggies like bell peppers, carrots, and snow peas.
- Broccoli: Steamed or roasted broccoli adds a pop of color and crunch.
- Egg Rolls: Serve up some crispy egg rolls on the side for a full takeout-inspired meal.
- Potstickers: Another tasty option if you’re looking for a Chinese food vibe.
- Cauliflower Rice: A lighter, low-carb option that still works perfectly with the sauce.
- Garlic Green Beans: A simple, garlicky green bean side dish adds freshness.
- Asian Cucumber Salad: Cool things down with a refreshing cucumber salad tossed in a light soy and vinegar dressing.
- Sautéed Bok Choy: This quick-cooked green brings a mild flavor that balances the sweetness of the chicken.
- Quinoa: Swap out the rice for protein-packed quinoa to keep things healthy.
- Crispy Brussels Sprouts: Roast them in the oven for a crispy, caramelized side that’s a perfect contrast to the orange chicken.
- Sweet Potatoes: Roasted or mashed sweet potatoes add another level of sweetness to the meal.
Storage Tips
Got leftovers? No worries, because this Slow Cooker Orange Chicken stores like a dream. Here’s how to keep it fresh:
- Refrigeration: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days. When ready to eat, simply reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat.
- Freezing: Want to save some for a busy weeknight down the road? Slow Cooker Orange Chicken freezes beautifully. Place the cooled chicken and sauce into a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat in a skillet or microwave.
- Reheating Tip: When reheating, if the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen it up.
How Much Slow Cooker Orange Chicken Should I Make for Family Gatherings?
Now, when it comes to family gatherings, this recipe is perfect because it’s easy to scale up. As written, this recipe makes about 4 servings, so if you’re cooking for a larger crowd, say 8-10 people, you’ll want to double the recipe. For gatherings with 12-15 people, tripling the recipe would be ideal. Keep in mind, you might need to split the batch between two slow cookers if you’re doubling or tripling to make sure everything cooks evenly.
How Far in Advance Can I Make Slow Cooker Orange Chicken?
One of the best things about this recipe is that it’s a perfect make-ahead dish. You can prepare and cook the Slow Cooker Orange Chicken up to 1-2 days in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. If you’re making it ahead for a big event, just reheat it gently in a large skillet or back in the slow cooker on the “Keep Warm” setting, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
You can also prep the ingredients ahead of time. Cut up your chicken, mix up your sauce, and store them separately in the fridge until you’re ready to toss everything in the slow cooker. This way, on the day of your event, all you’ve got to do is set it and forget it!
Slow Cooker Orange Chicken: A Flavor-Packed, Easy Meal for Any Occasion
Description
Level up your slow cooker game with this sweet and tangy Orange Chicken! Combining savory soy sauce, sweet orange marmalade, and a hint of heat, this set-it-and-forget-it dish delivers juicy, tender chicken in a zesty glaze. It’s a homemade takeout favorite that’s easy, flavorful, and sure to impress—no takeout menu needed!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Start by cutting your boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders into bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch in size.
- Pour your cornstarch into a shallow dish or a zip-top bag. Add the chicken pieces and toss them until each piece is coated evenly in cornstarch. This helps give the chicken a nice, light crust when browned.
- Heat up the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add your coated chicken pieces. You don’t need to cook them all the way through—just get a nice golden brown sear on each side. This step adds a ton of flavor and gives the chicken a great texture in the slow cooker.
- Once your chicken is browned, transfer it into the basin of your slow cooker. We’re talking a 6-quart slow cooker here, but anything similar will work.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the orange marmalade, low-sodium soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, ground ginger, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds. This sauce is where all that bold flavor is coming from, so mix it well.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker. Stir everything together to make sure each piece of chicken is fully coated in that sweet and tangy goodness.
- Cover your slow cooker and cook on LOW for about 3 hours. Check it about halfway through to give it a quick stir and make sure nothing’s sticking or burning.
- Once your chicken is fully cooked and tender, you’re ready to serve! Garnish with some chopped scallions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for that final touch of flavor and crunch.
- This dish is perfect served over a steaming bowl of white rice, brown rice, or even noodles if you’re feeling like switching it up.
