Description
Discover the best flavor orange chicken recipe crock pot with our step-by-step guide. Easy to make and perfect for a weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts), cut into 1-1.5 inch pieces
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce (use tamari for GF)
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 – 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)
- 3 tbsp cornstarch (or arrowroot powder for GF)
- 2 tbsp cold water
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional, for garnish)
- Sesame seeds and sliced green onions, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Chicken: Cut chicken into 1-1.5 inch pieces. Pat dry and place in the crock pot insert.
- Step 2: Whisk Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes until sugar dissolves.
- Step 3: Slow Cook: Pour sauce over chicken in the crock pot. Stir to coat. Cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours, until chicken is tender.
- Step 4: Thicken Sauce: Remove chicken from crock pot. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch and cold water to form a slurry. Stir slurry into the hot sauce in the crock pot. Cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened to a glossy glaze.
- Step 5: Combine & Serve: Return chicken to the thickened sauce, tossing to coat. Stir in sesame oil if using. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions, then serve hot over rice or noodles.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 2-4 hours