Description
Succulent crockpot orange chicken delivers zesty Asian-inspired flavors with minimal preparation. Tender meat and tangy sauce combine effortlessly for a weeknight dinner that satisfies you completely.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- ¾ cup (177 ml) orange juice (fresh or store-bought)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- ⅓ cup (113 g) honey (or brown sugar for a richer flavor)
- ½ cup (60 g) cornstarch
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil (for browning, optional)
- 2 tbsps (30 g) cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsps (30 ml) water (for thickening)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) ketchup
- 2 tsps (10 ml) minced garlic
- 1 tsp (5 ml) grated ginger
- 1 tsp (5 g) sesame seeds
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- ½ tsp (2.5 g) salt
- ¼ tsp (1.25 g) black pepper
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Combine cornstarch, salt, and black pepper to create a light, even coating for chicken pieces, ensuring a crispy exterior.
- Optional Searing: Quickly brown chicken in a hot skillet with olive oil, developing a golden crust that enhances flavor and texture.
- Sauce Crafting: Whisk orange juice, soy sauce, honey, vinegar, ketchup, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes into a harmonious, vibrant sauce with complex flavor profiles.
- Crockpot Assembly: Layer coated chicken in the slow cooker, thoroughly drenching with the prepared orange sauce to ensure complete flavor infusion.
- Slow Cooking Process: Select low heat for 4-5 hours or high heat for 2-3 hours, allowing chicken to become supremely tender and absorb sauce nuances.
- Sauce Refinement: Create a cornstarch slurry to transform the cooking liquid into a glossy, luxurious sauce with perfect consistency.
- Plating and Garnishing: Transfer chicken to a serving dish, drizzle with remaining sauce, then sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and freshly sliced green onions.
- Serving Suggestion: Pair with steamed rice, cauliflower rice, or a vibrant vegetable medley to complement the dish’s tangy and sweet flavor profile.
Notes
- Optimize Coating Technique: Shake off excess cornstarch mixture to prevent a heavy, pasty layer that might make chicken soggy instead of crispy.
- Enhance Flavor Depth: Briefly searing chicken before slow cooking develops rich caramelization and locks in savory notes, creating more complex taste profile.
- Sauce Consistency Control: Adjust cornstarch slurry thickness gradually by adding small amounts to prevent over-thickening, ensuring smooth, glossy sauce texture.
- Dietary Adaptation Strategy: Replace honey with maple syrup for vegan version, or use low-sodium soy sauce and reduce added salt for heart-healthy alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 295
- Sugar: 19 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg