Description
Flavor-packed orange chicken dazzles taste buds with its perfect balance of tangy and sweet Asian-inspired goodness. Slow cooker magic ensures tender meat and rich sauce while delivering restaurant-quality comfort you’ll crave for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
Liquid and Flavor Ingredients:
- 0.75 cup (180 milliliters) orange juice
- 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) honey
- 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Seasoning and Thickening Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- Optional garnishes: sliced green onions, sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare chicken by delicately coating each piece with a thin layer of cornstarch, ensuring even coverage for optimal texture and sauce absorption.
- Create a vibrant sauce by combining zesty orange juice, fragrant zest, sweet honey, umami-rich soy sauce, tangy vinegar, aromatic garlic, spicy ginger, nutty sesame oil, and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl.
- Gently transfer the cornstarch-coated chicken into the slow cooker, then cascade the prepared sauce over the pieces, carefully intermingling to ensure complete coating.
- Set the slow cooker to low temperature and allow the chicken to simmer and absorb flavors for approximately 4 hours, or alternatively use high heat for 2-3 hours until the meat becomes fork-tenderly soft.
- During the final half-hour of cooking, craft a quick cornstarch slurry by blending cornstarch with water, then gently incorporate into the slow cooker to transform the sauce into a luxuriously thick glaze.
- Plate the succulent orange-infused chicken atop a bed of fluffy rice or steamed vegetables, garnishing with freshly chopped green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for added visual appeal and textural contrast.
Notes
- Ensure chicken pieces are evenly coated with cornstarch for a crispy exterior that helps seal in moisture and flavor.
- Browning chicken beforehand adds depth to the dish, creating a richer caramelized taste and more appealing golden color.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control spice level, making the recipe adaptable for heat-sensitive palates or kids.
- For a gluten-free version, swap soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to maintain the savory umami profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (low) / 2-3 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 325
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg