This Slow Cooker Orange Chicken is easy to prep and even easier to enjoy.
Made with bite sized chunks of chicken breasts that are slow cooked to a moist perfection, this tasty and convenient meal is sweet, tangy, savory, and slightly spicy.
What you will read about in this recipe.
What is orange chicken?
Orange chicken is chicken (sometimes breaded) that is cooked in a sauce made with orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, and garlic.
I like how easy it is to make this recipe in a slow cooker.
Have you tried my 15 Minute Instant Pot Chow Mein ?
That easy chow mein is loaded with flavors and is so easy to make. This orange chicken would go nicely when served with that pressure cooker chow mein.
Low sodium soy sauce can be used to make this recipe. You can find low sodium soy sauce here.
Why we love orange chicken made in slow cooker.
This orange chicken recipe is is easy to make and takes about 10 minutes to prep. It also tastes amazingly delicious like the take-out version.
Here is what else we like about this recipe.
- Slow cooking the chicken breasts in the flavorful sauce makes the chicken moist and tasty.
- The ingredients used in this recipe are basic ingredients that you may already have on hand.
- Personalizing this recipe is as easy as adding some veggies such as peas or a tablespoon or two of orange marmalade for texture.
- Making this in a slow cooker makes it easy to take with you to a gathering such as a potluck dinner, tailgate, or a gathering with friends.
- Orange chicken goes great when served by itself, over rice, or even with noodles.
- Leftovers taste great as is or when served on a salad or in a wrap.
Ingredients needed to make crockpot orange chicken.
- Chicken. Skinless and boneless chicken that is cut into bite sized pieces.
- Orange Juice. Use fresh orange juice for optimal flavor.
- Soy Sauce. A low sodium soy sauce can be used.
- White Vinegar. Rice wine vinegar can be used instead for a more authentic orange chicken.
- Brown Sugar. Added for additional sweet balance.
- Garlic. The garlic should be minced.
- Orange Zest. Freshly zested if possible.
- Ginger Powder. Ground ginger can alternatively be used.
- Chili Flakes. This can be adjusted or omitted to your likings.
- Salt and Pepper to taste.
- Cornstarch. Added for the sauce texture.
- Water. Used with the cornstarch to create a slurry for the sauce.
- Green Onions. Added as garnish.
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Tips for making the best crockpot orange chicken.
My Teriyaki Chicken was made with chicken breasts that are cut into bite sized pieces. You can alternatively use chicken thighs if desired.
More helpful tips for you.
- This chicken can be prepared ahead of time. Simply make the sauce, allow it to cool, and then place it into a zip top bag with your chicken and refrigerate it.
- Using pre-cooked chicken can cut your slow cook time down (2-3 hours on high).
- Making additional sauce can be a good idea for serving this chicken, especially if you are serving it with rice.
- Do you have to use bite-sized chicken in this recipe? Bite sized chicken makes this recipe easier to slow cook uniformly and eat.
- Keep an eye on your chicken after a couple of hours to prevent it from overcooking.
- If you find that your sauce seems to thin after slow cooking you can thicken it. Simple stir in 1:1 cornstarch and water (for up to two tablespoons each)
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How to make Slow Cooker Orange Chicken
Prep Time: 10 minutes .
Slow Cook Time: 4-4 ½ hours. .
Servings: 4 .
- Chicken. Prepare your chicken as indicated and then place it into your slow cooker.
- Prepare the sauce. In a medium saucepan on medium heat, use a whisk to combine together the Orange Juice, Soy Sauce, White Vinegar, Brown Sugar, Garlic, Orange Zest, Ginger, and Chili Flakes, bringing this to a boil. Meanwhile, use a fork to combine together the cornstarch and water to make your slurry. When the mixture begins to boil you can whisk in the slurry and then remove the mixture from the heat.
- Combine. Carefully pour the thickened sauce over the chicken in your slow cooker and then toss the chicken so that it is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Slow Cook. Cover your slow cooker, set the temperature on high, and cook four to four and half hours or until the chicken is done. It is best to keep and eye on your chicken after about three hours.
- Serve. Garnish your orange chicken with chopped green onions and serve as desired.
Expert Tip 👉 Your chicken is done slow cooking when it reaches an internal temperature of at least 165℉.
How to store orange chicken.
Once the chicken has fully cooled, you can store in an airtight container. When properly stored, this chicken should keep for up to four days when refrigerated or up to six months when frozen (you can thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating it)
You may also be interested in these slow cooker chicken recipes.
- Crockpot Chicken and Potato Dinner
- Crockpot Bourbon Chicken (Slow Cooker) Recipe
- Crockpot Barbecue Chicken Recipe
- Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
- Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken (Crockpot)
- Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe
Print the recipe for Slow Cooker Orange Chicken
Slow Cooker Orange Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken. -- Skinless and boneless chicken that is cut into bite sized pieces.
- ¾ cup Orange Juice
- 2½ tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1½ tbsp White Vinegar
- 2 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 2 tsp Garlic -minced
- 1 tbsp Orange Zest
- ½ tsp Ginger Powder
- ½ tsp Chili Flakes - or as desired
- Salt and Pepper to taste.
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
- ¼ cup Water
- 2 Green Onion - chopped , used as garnish for serving.
Instructions
- Chicken. Prepare your chicken as indicated and then place it into your slow cooker.
- Prepare the sauce. In a medium saucepan on medium heat, use a whisk to combine together the Orange Juice, Soy Sauce, White Vinegar, Brown Sugar, Garlic, Orange Zest, Ginger, and Chili Flakes, bringing this to a boil. Meanwhile, use a fork to combine together the cornstarch and water to make your slurry. When the mixture begins to boil you can whisk in the slurry and then remove the mixture from the heat.
- Combine. Carefully pour the thickened sauce over the chicken in your slow cooker and then toss the chicken so that it is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Slow Cook. Cover your slow cooker, set the temperature on high, and cook four to four and half hours or until the chicken is done. It is best to occasionally check on your chicken after about three hours.
- Serve. Garnish your orange chicken with chopped green onions and serve as desired.
Recipe Notes
Also, please see the actual recipe post for further details on this recipe. Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used. See theairfryingdiva.com for details on this recipe.
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Nutrition
Please note: Nutritional data has been calculated using a tool that comes with this recipe card and not by me. This means that Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that you use. The accuracy of this tool may differ from other tools as expected. Also note that there is no instructional value to the video that may be attached to this recipe. It is only there for visual pleasure. For more information about the images in this recipe, please refer the the recipe instructions. Thank you!
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Slow Cooker Orange Chicken - an easy and delicious Crockpot Recipe for savory tender chicken cooked in a sweet and tangy sauce.
Please see recipe post for further details on this recipe.
Petra
Easy and yummy
TheAirFryingDiva
Yes it is!
Chris
Just wanted to let you know that this turned out really good.
TheAirFryingDiva
Thank you! I am glad that you enjoyed it!