Crockpot Orange Chicken is a family favorite that is perfect for busy weeknights. This recipe uses simple ingredients. The tender chicken and tangy orange sauce is sweet and delicious! This is yummy Chinese food takeout and an easy dinner at home.
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Why you'll love this recipe
✔️No need to drive to your favorite Chinese restaurant, when you can make this takeout favorite at home.
✔️The slow cooker method makes this recipe incredibly easy - just throw everything into the crockpot, set it and forget it!
✔️The sweet orange marmalade and tangy sauce make a delicious combination that will leave your whole family wanting more.
Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- boneless skinless chicken breasts or you can substitute with boneless skinless chicken thighs
- orange marmalade
- soy sauce
- BBQ Sauce
- garnish with green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions for the crock pot recipe. For complete directions, scroll down to the bottom.
- Spray the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cut the chicken into one-inch pieces and place chicken in the slow cooker.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the orange marmalade, soy sauce, and barbecue sauce.
- Pour sauce mixture over the chicken. Seal and cook on low for 6 hours.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve over brown or white rice.
Equipment
- small bowl
- slow cooker
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FAQ's
No, there is no need to brown the chicken breasts before you add them to the slow cooker. They will still taste great without you browning them first.
If you order this at restaurants like Panda Express, it has a slight touch of heat. However, for this recipe, it's a sweet, sticky sauce, not a spicy sauce.
No, there is no need to bread this chicken before you cook it.
Deb's tips
- Because the sauce ingredients can be a little sticky, I recommend spraying your slow cooker well with nonstick cooking spray or using a slow cooker liner for easy clean up.
- Try to cut the chicken into even sized pieces so that they cook at the same rate.
- If you want to thicken the sauce, mix together two teaspoons of the sauce with a teaspoon of cornstarch and add it to your slow cooker. Stir and allow it to simmer until the sauce thickens.
Variations
- If you want to add some vegetables to this easy recipe you can add in sliced carrots, or diced bell peppers at the last hour of cooking.
- Add a touch of red pepper flakes in your sauce.You could also add in a little garlic powder and ground ginger to your sauce to give it an extra pop of flavor.
- Orange zest is great for a pop of fresh flavor.
And if you'd prefer to bake this in the oven, check out How to Convert Slow Cooker to Oven.
Storage
Refrigerate - Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Freezer - You can also freeze the cooked chicken in a freezer bag for up to three months. I like to freeze it flat so that I have more space in the freezer and it stacks well. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheat - Reheat leftovers in a saucepan on the stove top over medium heat until warm all the way through, or microwave single servings on 50% power for 1-2 minutes.
Related recipes
- If you are like me and you love crockpot chicken recipes, then you are going to want to try this Crockpot Chicken and Gravy. It's creamy, hearty and super simple to make.
- CPK Chicken Piccata Recipe - super yummy, easy-to-make, and with all the flavor of your favorite restaurant meal!
- Copycat Panda Express Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe - with all the flavor of your favorite takeout!
- Are you in need of some new meal inspiration? Check out these Easy Chicken Casserole recipes. There is a recipe in here for everyone.
- This Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna is another great slow cooker meal. It's cheesy and savory and the kids will love it.
Serve with
- Turn this easy chicken recipe into a complete meal by pairing it with a simple side dish like this Chicken Fried Rice recipe. It's one of my favorite takeout meals to make at home.
- One of my favorite side dishes to serve with this tangy orange chicken is a side of broccoli. And, this Lemon and Garlic Broccoli is my go-to recipe when I want a fresh yet healthy side dish.
- If you prefer noodles instead of rice hen you can serve this Chicken Chow Mein with this tasty slow cooker recipe. It's so easy to make and always a crowd favorite.
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Crockpot Orange Chicken
Ingredients
- 4-5 bonless skinless chicken breasts
- ¾ cup orange marmalade jam
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- ¾ cup BBQ Sauce
- Optional garnishes - thinly sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
Instructions
- Spray the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cut the chicken into one-inch pieces and place in the slow cooker.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the orange marmalade, soy sauce, and barbecue sauce.
- Pour mixture over the chicken. Seal and cook on low for 6 hours.
- If desired, top with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve with white or brown rice. Enjoy!
cms says
Good but, full disclosure, I didn't use as much flour as written (seemed to be a lot of flour), and thus, my bad -- I had a watery, soupy, dish. This said, it tasted just "okay," seemed to be missing something. Orange marmalade has an "odd" taste to me. All said, my husband actually saved the dish with the typical garden variety corn starch mixture to thicken a sauce. Made it much, much, better. If I try it again, I would definitely follow the flour amount recommendation.
Debra Clark says
Thanks for sharing. That's why I always suggest following the recipe as written the first time you try it. I'm glad the cornstarch slurry saved the day!! If you don't like orange marmalade, next time substitute with eihter apricot preserves or orange jelly. Orange marmalade uses the peel of the orange and I bet that's the flavor that's off for you. I hope you find more recipes to enjoy!
Camden says
Oh this is going to save me a pretty penny on takeout! Having a crockpot orange chicken recipe will be great for when I'm wanting a low-effort dinner on the weeknights. Thanks for sharing this one!
Bowl Me Over says
Perfect! It's definitely a lifesaver for busy weeknights. Enjoy!
Debbie says
This crockpot orange chicken recipe is to-die-for. It has such a fabulous combination of flavors and is easy to make too!
Alyssa says
I can't wait to make this crockpot orange chicken. I am always on the hunt for new crockpot meals, and orange chicken is one of my favorites!
Kristen says
YUM!!! Orange Chicken was always my Food Court go-to in my teen years--but then I started having health issues and couldn't tolerate it anymore. I want to try making your slow cooker orange chicken and see how I do with it now! This looks so good!
Bowl Me Over says
Wonderful! I hope it's a meal you really enjoy Kristen! I just love all the flavor in this easy meal!
Brittany says
Your crockpot orange chicken recipe looks amazing. I've only attempted making orange chicken once and the recipe just wasn't worth the hassle. Your version looks so much easier with using the crockpot!