Make Easy Slow Cooker Orange Chicken for dinner tonight. Has tender cubed chicken with an orange barbecue flavored sauce, fabulous with an easy side such as steamed white rice or green vegetables.
We enjoy making our favorite takeout meals at home, especially this three-ingredient orange chicken. We also make Sweet and Sour Chicken, Chipotle Barbacoa and Wendy’s Chili during the week.
You will love this recipe for easy orange chicken in the slow cooker. I use a method where you halfway cook the chicken in the slow cooker, drain off the liquid that can make the dish watery, then add the orange sauce and cook longer. What you have is a thick and wonderful sauce and, quite frankly, the easiest and healthiest orange chicken you can make!
Recipe Ingredients
- Chicken breasts – Boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. Cube your chicken or have your butcher do this.
- Barbecue sauce – Use your favorite; we usually use sweet baby rays. Sometimes we use spicy barbecue sauce for a flavor variation.
- Orange marmalade – You will find this where the jam is at the store. You can find Smucker’s sweet orange marmalade or even use store-brand.
- Salt and Pepper – Use a sprinkle of salt and pepper over the chicken before cooking.
- Sesame seeds – Optional for garnish, but does add some texture.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – Cube your raw chicken breast and add it to the crockpot—Cook for 1.5 hours on high. Drain off the watery liquid from the slow cooker with a spoon or dab with paper towels.
Step Two – Mix together orange marmalade and barbecue sauce in a bowl.
Step Three – Add the marmalade barbecue mixture to the partially cooked chicken in the slow cooker.
Step Four – Stir and cook for two more hours on high.
How to serve
- Steamed Rice – If you have a rice cooker, this meal will be a snap! I usually cook 2 cups of rice, enough for leftovers.
- Fried Rice – Who doesn’t love fried rice. I often use this fried rice recipe from Spaceships and Laserbeams.
- Green Vegetables – Steam a pot of broccoli florets, green beans, or snap peas to accompany this simple crockpot orange chicken.
Recipe FAQs
Though adding vegetables will make the sauce less thick, it’s a great way to make this a one-pot meal. You can add small pieces of broccoli or sugar snap peas during the last hour of cooking.
Both barbecue sauce and orange marmalade are on the sweet side. You can use hoisin sauce instead of barbecue to lessen the sweetness. Instead, you can add one tablespoon of soy sauce to cut the sweetness down.
You can keep the orange chicken in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for three months.
Add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to add some heat to this orange chicken recipe. Or you can add two teaspoons of hot sriracha sauce.
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Slow Cooker Orange Chicken Recipe
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts (raw)
- 1/2 cup orange marmalade I use Smucker's brand
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce I use Sweet Baby Rays
- salt and pepper to taste
- sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions:
- Cut the raw chicken into bite sized pieces and place into the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Cover and cook on HIGH 1.5 hours. The chicken will form its own juices, no need to add anything extra.
- Drain juices from crockpot. I do this by tilting the crockpot and spoon it off, or by using paper towels to dab the moisture.
- In a small bowl mix together orange marmalade and BBQ sauce.
- Add the sauce to the chicken in the slow cooker and stir.
- Cover and cook an additional 2 hours on HIGH.
- Serve hot, sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
My chicken became very dry and tough. Can you make this dish on low for a longer cooking time?
I am pretty new to cooking full-time so I am always looking for “simple” as well as “good tasting.” This recipe excels in both categories. We were delighted with the results but….
I am not sure why but for whatever reason the slow cooker “baked” about an inch wide ring of sauce onto the side of the slow cooker at the level of the ingredients. Can you give me any hints on scrubbing out the pot? I soaked the pot overnight but the residue was just as rock hard the next morning. Brillo pads don’t make much of a dent. Just looking for any advice you might share on cleaning it up.
Is there a way to cook this delicious recipe on low for a longer period of time? It would be better for me and my care-giving if I could start this in the morning and go 8-10 hours. Thanks again for a great recipe!
I think your slow cooker may cook a little hot, I would not recommend cooking this recipe on low for more than 4-5 hours.For cleaning, you could fill your pot with water and soap and turn your slow cooker back on for a few hours to really loosen it up with hot water. Or I often fill my slow cooker with hot water, let sit and scrub as hard as I can, I do this multiple times and eventually it loosens up.
Thank you so much for your informative and timely reply.
The Rival Crock Pot I am using was originally a gift to us in the late 60’s so, yes, its “high” may be hotter than more modern versions. You did comment about “low” for no more than 4-5 hours. If I tried that would you suggest chicken only for 3 hours and then drain, add sauce for maybe 2 hours. I am open to trying but would appreciate your thoughts/moral support!
I am cleaning as you suggested; believe I see light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks again.
I think that would be worth a try, Jim!
I purchase crockpot liners at most grocery stores. They are a blessing and make cleanup simple.
I’m making this today, can’t wait to try it!!!! I’m adding broccoli pieces and a little crushed red pepper ..
Not a favorite. Chicken was a little dry and the barbecue/ orange marmalade mix didn’t seem to pair well.
I agree, too dry
I would love to make this today. I have leftover chicken I can use. How long should I cook in the slow cooker for?
I think about 2 hours on high.
Made this today I advise not to use chicken breasts – too tough. I would use boneless chicken thighs.
Can i use previously cooked chicken?
Yes! That will work great.
I used honey bbq sauce instead of regular which may have made it too sweet for my liking, if anything I will use less marmalade next time and more red pepper flakes!