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Slow cooker orange chicken served over white rice with sesame seeds and green onions

Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

5 from 1 vote
Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings

Description

This easy slow cooker orange chicken delivers tender chicken in a sticky, sweet-and-tangy orange sauce made with fresh orange juice — all the takeout flavor with just 15 minutes of prep.

Ingredients 

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, (or breasts), cut into 1-inch pieces
  • ¾ cup orange juice, about 2–3 oranges
  • 1 tbsp orange zest, zest of 1 orange
  • ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 3 tbsp cold water
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds, for garnish
  • 2 green onions, sliced, for garnish
  • Cooked white rice, for serving

Instructions

  • Place the chicken pieces in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
  • In a bowl, whisk together the orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes until smooth.
  • Pour the sauce over the chicken and stir to coat evenly.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  • Whisk the cornstarch and cold water into a slurry, then stir it into the slow cooker.
  • Cook uncovered on HIGH for 15–20 minutes, until the sauce is thick, glossy, and coats the back of a spoon.
  • Serve over rice and garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Equipment

  • 6-quart slow cooker
  • Mixing bowl and whisk
  • Cutting board and sharp knife

Notes

  • Crispy option: Toss the chicken in 2–3 tbsp cornstarch and sear 2–3 minutes before slow cooking, or broil the finished chicken 3–4 minutes for caramelized edges.
  • Gluten-free: Swap the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos.
  • Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze (without rice) up to 3 months.
  • Don't overcook: Small chicken pieces cook fast — stick to the time range to keep them tender.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 304kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 31gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 144mgSodium: 651mgPotassium: 534mgFiber: 1gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 167IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 2mg