Level up your slow cooker game with this sweet and tangy Orange Chicken! Combining savory soy sauce, sweet orange marmalade, and a hint of heat, this set-it-and-forget-it dish delivers juicy, tender chicken in a zesty glaze. It’s a homemade takeout favorite that’s easy, flavorful, and sure to impress—no takeout menu needed!
SUPPLIES
INGREDIENTS
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ cups orange marmalade
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons vinegar (rice vinegar or apple cider works best)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (plus more for garnish)
- Chopped scallions, for garnish
- Cooked rice or noodles, for serving
DIRECTIONS
- Start by cutting your boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders into bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch in size.
- Pour your cornstarch into a shallow dish or a zip-top bag. Add the chicken pieces and toss them until each piece is coated evenly in cornstarch. This helps give the chicken a nice, light crust when browned.
- Heat up the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add your coated chicken pieces. You don’t need to cook them all the way through—just get a nice golden brown sear on each side. This step adds a ton of flavor and gives the chicken a great texture in the slow cooker.
- Once your chicken is browned, transfer it into the basin of your slow cooker. We’re talking a 6-quart slow cooker here, but anything similar will work.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the orange marmalade, low-sodium soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, ground ginger, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds. This sauce is where all that bold flavor is coming from, so mix it well.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker. Stir everything together to make sure each piece of chicken is fully coated in that sweet and tangy goodness.
- Cover your slow cooker and cook on LOW for about 3 hours. Check it about halfway through to give it a quick stir and make sure nothing’s sticking or burning.
- Once your chicken is fully cooked and tender, you’re ready to serve! Garnish with some chopped scallions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for that final touch of flavor and crunch.
- This dish is perfect served over a steaming bowl of white rice, brown rice, or even noodles if you’re feeling like switching it up.
