Irresistible Crockpot Orange Chicken Recipe
This Irresistible Crockpot Orange Chicken recipe features tender, bite-sized chicken pieces coated in cornstarch, lightly browned in olive oil, and then slow-cooked in a vibrant orange marmalade-based sauce with savory soy, ginger, garlic, and warming sesame notes. Finished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and fresh scallions, it’s a deliciously tangy and sweet meal perfect served over steamed rice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or tenders, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
For Browning
- 4 tbsp olive oil
Orange Sauce
- 1 1/2 cups orange marmalade (one 16 oz jar)
- 1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp white vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
For Garnish
- Additional sesame seeds, for garnish
- Chopped scallions, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare and Coat the Chicken: Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders into bite-sized, approximately 1-inch pieces. Pour the cornstarch into a shallow dish, then add the chicken pieces and toss thoroughly to evenly coat all pieces with cornstarch. This coating helps create a light crust when the chicken is browned.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the coated chicken pieces. Brown the chicken lightly on each side, turning as needed, without cooking through completely. Once golden, transfer all chicken pieces to the basin of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Make the Orange Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together orange marmalade, reduced-sodium soy sauce, white vinegar, sesame oil, ground ginger, minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds until smooth and well incorporated. Taste the sauce and adjust ginger if a stronger zing is desired.
- Cook the Chicken in the Slow Cooker: Pour the prepared orange sauce over the browned chicken in the slow cooker. Stir gently to coat all chicken pieces thoroughly. Cover and cook on LOW for 2 to 3 hours, stirring halfway through to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. The chicken will cook through and the sauce will thicken.
- Garnish and Serve: Once the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce thickened, garnish with additional sesame seeds and chopped scallions before serving. This adds extra flavor and a vibrant pop of color. Serve over steamed rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Do not fully cook the chicken when browning; just develop a golden crust for better texture.
- Stir the slow cooker halfway through to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Adjust ginger amount in the sauce to taste for more or less zing.
- Serve the dish with steamed rice or your favorite grain for a balanced meal.
- This recipe uses reduced-sodium soy sauce to keep sodium levels moderate.
Keywords: crockpot orange chicken, slow cooker chicken, orange marmalade chicken, easy dinner recipe, sweet and tangy chicken, boneless chicken recipe
