Slow Cooker Orange Chicken
Slow Cooker Orange Chicken is a mouthwatering dish that features juicy chicken thighs enveloped in a vibrant sweet-tangy orange sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings, this easy-to-make recipe requires minimal prep while delivering maximum flavor. The tender chicken absorbs the citrus goodness, making every bite comforting and satisfying. Serve it over rice or quinoa to create a delightful meal everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (about 2–3 oranges)
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Chop the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and zest one orange.
- In a bowl, whisk together orange juice, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, grated ginger, and minced garlic to create the marinade.
- Place the chopped chicken in the slow cooker and pour the marinade over it; stir to coat evenly.
- Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
- To thicken the sauce, remove half a cup of liquid from the slow cooker, mix with cornstarch until smooth, return to slow cooker, and cook on high for an additional 30 minutes.
- Serve over steamed rice or quinoa and garnish with sesame seeds or green onions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 490mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: - For added depth of flavor, consider searing the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker. - Customize by adding vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas for extra nutrition. - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.