Description
This Easy Slow Cooker Orange Chicken features tender pieces of chicken coated in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. It’s a hassle-free meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it over rice with a side of steamed broccoli for a complete dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup orange marmalade
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground ginger, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, lightly toasted (optional, for garnish)
- 2 tablespoons green onions, sliced thin (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken:ย In a large zip-top bag, combine the cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken pieces, seal the bag, and shake to coat the chicken evenly.
- Brown the Chicken:ย In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker:ย Place the browned chicken pieces into a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Make the Sauce:ย In a medium bowl, whisk together the orange marmalade, low-sodium soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, ground ginger, and garlic until well combined.
- Cook:ย Pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker, stirring gently to ensure all pieces are coated. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or on low for 4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Serve:ย Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if desired. Serve hot over steamed rice.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.