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Slow-Cooker Orange Chicken

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By Pillsbury Kitchens
Updated Oct 25, 2023
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No need to order out tonight! Not when you can get all the flavors of your favorite takeout spot without leaving the house. This slow cooker orange chicken recipe is slightly sweet with just the right amount of heat. With only a few ingredients (and a little time in the crockpot) you’ll have incredible orange chicken you made yourself. Even the pickiest eater in your family will love the zesty flavors of this restaurant classic.

What is orange chicken?

Popular on many takeout menus, orange chicken is an American Chinese dish that consists of bite size cuts of chicken in a sweet orange-flavored chili glaze. The chicken is typically fried, often in flour or cornstarch to add a bit of crispness. The delicious, sticky sauce usually contains orange juice and zest, sugar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger and rice vinegar, though this slow cooker orange chicken recipe uses marmalade as a clever shortcut.

How do you serve orange chicken?

Orange chicken is most often served on a bed of fluffy white rice, or even with fried rice as a flavorful substitute. Top with cilantro, or sesame seeds and sliced green onion for garnish. While this orange chicken recipe is yummy on its own, you can serve it with a side of green beans or broccoli to add some additional color and texture. However you serve it, this fan favorite is bound to have you coming back for helping after helping.

More About This Recipe

  • Those takeout menus can stay in the drawer tonight–now that you know how to make your own restaurant-quality orange chicken. From the tender chicken to the sweet and slightly spice orange glaze, this slow-cooker orange chicken recipe is one your family will request again and again. And if you like this recipe, make sure you check out these other better-than-takeout options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is orange chicken spicy?

Orange chicken is a relatively mild dish, though it often has just a bit of heat to cut through the sweetness of the sauce. One benefit of making your own orange chicken is that you are free to tailor the spice level to your preference. In this slow cooker orange chicken recipe, simply adjust the amount of chili garlic sauce to dial the spice up or down.

What kind of chicken should I use to make orange chicken?

Orange chicken is often prepared using bite-sized cuts of chicken breast or thighs. This slow-cooker orange chicken recipe calls for chicken breast, boneless, skinless chicken thigh makes an acceptable substitute. Try it both ways and see what you prefer.

What does orange chicken taste like?

Orange chicken has a mild, sweet and sour flavor profile that make it a widely-popular dish in many restaurants and home kitchens. This is due to the blend of sweet orange, typically offset by a hit of vinegar and just a bit of spice. All these flavors make a perfect compliment for lightly crispy chicken. Add some fluffy rice and you’re sure to be hooked.

Slow-Cooker Orange Chicken

  • Prep Time 10 min
  • Total 2 hr 15 min
  • Ingredients 7
  • Servings 4
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup sweet orange marmalade
  • 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
  • 1 package (20 oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 cups cooked white rice

Instructions

  • Step 
    1
    Spray 2 1/2- to 3-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In small bowl, mix marmalade and chili garlic sauce. Add chicken and marmalade mixture to slow cooker, mixing to thoroughly coat chicken with marmalade mixture. Cover and cook on Low heat setting 1 1/2 hours.
  • Step 
    2
    In small bowl, mix cornstarch and soy sauce; stir into slow-cooker mixture. Cover and cook on High heat setting 30 to 40 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center and sauce is thickened and bubbly around edges.
  • Step 
    3
    Remove from slow cooker; sprinkle with cilantro. Serve with rice.

Nutrition

400 Calories
5g Total Fat
35g Protein
55g Total Carbohydrate
20g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
400
Calories from Fat
45
Total Fat
5g
8%
Saturated Fat
1 1/2g
7%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
90mg
29%
Sodium
890mg
37%
Potassium
370mg
10%
Total Carbohydrate
55g
18%
Dietary Fiber
1g
4%
Sugars
20g
Protein
35g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
0%
0%
Vitamin C
4%
4%
Calcium
4%
4%
Iron
15%
15%
Exchanges:
1 1/2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 4 1/2 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 1/2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
3 1/2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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