Slow Cooker Orange Chicken Recipe
Enjoy a delectable meal with this Slow Cooker Orange Chicken, featuring tender pieces of chicken enveloped in a sweet and savory glaze. Simple to prepare, this dish involves browning the chicken briefly before letting the slow cooker do the rest. Serve alongside rice and steamed broccoli for a delightful takeout-style meal at home.
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or tenders, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- 1 ½ cups orange marmalade
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds plus more for garnish
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- Scallions chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Slice the chicken into small, approximately 1-inch pieces.
- In a shallow dish, add the cornstarch, then toss the chicken until it is evenly coated.
- Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once heated, add the cornstarch-coated chicken pieces and lightly brown them on all sides without fully cooking through.
- Transfer the browned chicken into the bowl of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the orange marmalade, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, ground ginger, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds until well combined.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker, stirring gently to combine everything evenly.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 3 hours, stirring once halfway through to prevent burning.
- Once cooked, garnish with chopped scallions and an extra sprinkling of sesame seeds.
- Serve the orange chicken hot over rice.
Notes
You can use boneless chicken thighs as an alternative to chicken breasts or tenders.
Adjust the heat by increasing the red pepper flakes to ¾ teaspoon if desired.
For added texture, include chopped red bell peppers at the beginning of the cooking time.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days when covered properly.
Slow cooker times may vary by model, so monitor the cooking process and adjust as needed.
Adjust the heat by increasing the red pepper flakes to ¾ teaspoon if desired.
For added texture, include chopped red bell peppers at the beginning of the cooking time.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days when covered properly.
Slow cooker times may vary by model, so monitor the cooking process and adjust as needed.