The easiest orange chicken ever because your slow cooker does all the work!! Super juicy, tender, and coated with a sweet-yet-tangy orange glaze that's irresistible!!
1 ½ to 2poundsboneless skinless chicken breastscut into 1-inch pieces
⅓cupcornstarch
½teaspoonsaltor to taste
½teaspoonpepperor to taste
1cuporange marmalade
¼cuplow-sodium soy sauce
1tablespoonrice wine vinegar
1teaspoonsesame oil
½ to 1teaspoonground gingeror to taste
½teaspoongarlic powder or 2 garlic clovesfinely minced
2tablespoonssesame seedslightly toasted if desired (add to a dry skillet and cook over medium heat for about 30 seconds or until fragrant)
2tablespoonsgreen onionssliced thin for garnishing
orange slicesoptional for garnishing
Instructions
Line a 3 to 6-quart slow cooker with a liner if using one. I prefer to use liners for easy cleanup.
Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over bottom of the liner or slow cooker.
To a large, gallon-sized ziptop plastic bag, add the chicken, cornstarch, salt, pepper, seal bag, and toss to coat chicken evenly. Add chicken to slow cooker, evenly distributed; set aside.
To a 2-cup measuring cup or medium bowl, add the orange marmalade, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, ginger (I prefer 1 teaspoon but some people are sensitive to ginger), garlic, remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and stir to combine.
Pour mixture over the chicken, using a spoon to distribute the sauce as necessary, making sure all pieces are coated.
Cook covered on high for about 2 hours or on low for about 4 hours. If cooking on high, start checking at 90 minutes and if cooking on low, start checking at 3 hours. All slow cookers vary so cook until chicken is done (reaches 165F on an instant read thermometer).
Add chicken to a plate with as much extra cooking sauce spooned over the top as desired, garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, optional orange wedges, and serve immediately.
Notes
Chicken is best warm and fresh but will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.