Crockpot Orange Chicken is destined to be your new favorite slow cooker chicken recipe! Juicy, tender bites of chicken in a tangy savory sauce that’s a little sweet and brings just the right touch of heat … the flavors in this easy Crockpot Orange Chicken are SO good.
I’m SO excited to share this Crockpot Orange Chicken recipe with you! It’s one of my very favorite new Crockpot recipes. Why? It hits all the right notes: it tastes amazing, the family loves it, it’s super easy to make, and even easier to meal prep. Did I mention it tastes amazing?! Let me tell you, the orange chicken sauce is absolutely divine, and the tender bites of slow-cooked chicken? Perfection.
I love that this slow cooker orange chicken needs just 10 minutes of my time to prep it, and the ingredients list comes in at 9 items. Simple enough for weeknight dinner but delicious enough to be a crowd pleaser every single time! I love to serve orange chicken with rice or noodles and shredded cabbage or roasted broccoli for a hearty, well-balanced meal.
If you’ve ever wondered, “How do you make orange chicken,” wonder no more. You’re going to love this one!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Simple and easy – Less than 10 ingredients and only 10 minutes prep time!
- Crockpot magic – Slow cookers are the best thing to happen for weeknight dinners! This easy Crockpot orange chicken recipe is proof positive.
- Perfect freezer meal – Add the ingredients (except cornstarch and water) to freezer bags and freeze for zero-prep slow cooker dinners, or you can cook it first then freeze for easy reheat-and-eat meals.
- Family favorite – The flavors in the orange chicken sauce recipe keep them coming back for more!
Recipe Notes
This Crockpot Orange Chicken recipe is as simple as promised! Just 10 minutes prep time for a family friendly dinner.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Crockpot Orange Chicken to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Chicken – You’ll need 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work too, if you prefer.
- Orange juice & zest – Fresh-squeezed orange juice and zest are the key to maximum flavor in the orange chicken sauce. You’ll want to zest one of the oranges and squeeze the rest for a total of 1/2 cup juice.
- Soy sauce – For salty, savory, umami flavor. If you prefer a gluten-free version of this Crockpot Orange Chicken, try swapping in Tamari instead.
- Brown sugar – For deep flavor and a touch of sweetness.
- Rice wine vinegar – Adds a tangy touch and keeps the Asian takeout vibes going.
- Garlic – You’ll need three cloves of garlic, finely minced.
- Ginger – One teapoon of fresh minced ginger adds wonderful flavor. A little goes a long way! Tip: Peel the skin off the ginger with a spoon – it works surprisingly well!
- Red pepper flakes – For just a touch of heat.
- Cornstarch & water – A cornstarch slurry added at the end of the cooking process helps thicken the sauce so that it coats every bite of chicken perfectly.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Spicy Crockpot Orange Chicken– Kick up the heat by increasing the crushed red pepper flakes to 1/2 or even a full teaspoon. Garnish with extra red pepper flakes and a squeeze of Sriracha won’t hurt, either!
- Crockpot Orange Chicken & Broccoli– When you add the cornstarch slurry, throw in a couple of cups of fresh or frozen broccoli florets.
- Crockpot Sesame Orange Chicken– Add 2 teaspoons of toasted sesame oil along with the sauce ingredients and garnish with sesame seeds.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make orange chicken.
Add the zest, orange juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes to the Crock Pot.
Stir well to combine, then cut the chicken into bite-size pieces. Add the chicken pieces to the Crock Pot and stir.
Cook until the chicken is done and the sauce is bubbly. Pour in the cornstarch and water mix.
Stir well and cook for another 20-30 minutes until the orange chicken sauce has thickened.
Recipe Tips
- Check the temp – For some extra insurance that your chicken is cooked through, use an instant-read meat thermometer. Just insert it into the middle of the biggest piece of chicken. If it reads 165°F or higher, it’s done!
- Don’t skip the slurry – It’s important to stir the cornstarch into the water first, THEN add it to the Crockpot. This helps keep the cornstarch from creating lumps in the sauce.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Freeze it – Freeze this slow cooker orange chicken before or after cooking. Thaw overnight then cook or warm it up, cook up some rice or noodles, and an easy, hearty meal is ready to go!
- Make two, eat one – I love to build up my freezer stash by making two batches of Crockpot Orange Chicken at a time. Prop up a gallon-size freezer bag in a large bowl and set it next to your Crock Pot. When you add an ingredient to your slow cooker, add the same amount to the freezer bag. Once you’ve added the chicken, close the bag, label it, and freeze. Now all you need to do in the future is thaw it overnight then pour it in the Crockpot the next morning to cook!
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this Crockpot Orange Chicken recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To freeze before cooking
- Add all ingredients except for the cornstarch and water to a freezer-safe container or zipper bag.
- Label and freeze for up to 6 months.
- Thaw overnight in the freezer.
- Pour into the Crockpot and cook as directed.
How to Freeze Crockpot Orange Chicken After Cooking
- Allow cooked orange chicken to cool to room temp.
- Place in an airtight, freezer-safe container or freezer bag.
- Label and freeze for up to 6 months.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Warm in the microwave or oven.
What to Serve with Crockpot Orange Chicken
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of Asian takeout, it will pair well with many of your favorite Asian-inspired side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
- Asian Cucumber Salad with Ginger Soy Dressing
- Spicy Sriracha Asian Coleslaw
- Easy Vegetable Fried Rice
Crockpot Orange Chicken Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Orange Chicken Bowls– Pile warm rice into a bowl and spoon leftover chicken and orange chicken sauce over the rice. Place steamed broccoli and/or snow peas on top and sprinkle with sesame seeds and scallions.
- Orange Chicken Fried Rice– Make this Easy Chicken Fried Rice recipe, but swap in leftover orange chicken.
- Orange Chicken Yakisoba– Cook up a batch of yakisoba noodles and warm up leftover orange chicken and sauce. Serve together.
Recipe FAQ’s
Is it okay to put raw chicken in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! You’ll want to turn on the slow cooker right away, but yes, it’s absolutey safe to cook raw chicken in the Crockpot.
Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in a Crockpot?
Neither is better than the other; it just depends on how soon you want it to be done. For this Crockpot Orange Chicken, you can cook it on high for 2 hours or you can cook it on low for 3.
More EASY Crockpot Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy Crockpot recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken
- Crockpot Sweet Chili Meatballs
- Asian Zing Wings
- Slow Cooker Thai Chicken
Crockpot Orange Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breasts
- ½ cup fresh squeezed orange juice, 2-4 oranges depending on size and juiciness
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- In the bottom of your slow cooker, whisk together zest from one orange, and juice from all oranges, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
- Cut the chicken breast into 1 inch pieces. Stir the cubed chicken into the sauce, then place the lid on the crockpot.
- Cook on high for two hours, or low for 3 hours. At that point, create a cornstarch slurry by combining the cornstarch and water and mixing until it makes a thin paste. Mix the slurry into the orange sauce, then recover and continue to cook for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
- Serve warm, over rice, noodles, or cabbage. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- green onions
- sesame seeds
- Chicken: Can swap in boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the chicken breast.
- Soy sauce: Substitute Tamari for a gluten-free variation.
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