Description
Sweet, tangy, and tender, this Slow-Cooker Orange Chicken brings the cozy vibes of your favorite takeout dish with the ease of a set-it-and-forget-it meal. It’s packed with citrusy flavor, simple ingredients, and is perfect for busy weeknights or easy meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- Green onions, for garnish
- Sesame seeds, optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Optional: Brown chicken briefly in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- In a bowl, whisk together orange juice, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger.
- Add chicken pieces to the slow cooker and pour sauce mixture over them. Stir to coat.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours.
- In the last 30 minutes, mix cornstarch and water, then stir into the slow cooker along with orange zest.
- Let it simmer uncovered until the sauce thickens.
- Serve over rice or noodles, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- Use low-sodium soy sauce for a lighter salt flavor.
- Fresh orange juice gives the best brightness and flavor.
- Broil finished chicken for a few minutes if you prefer crispy edges.
- Leftovers are perfect for wraps or stir-fried rice dishes.