Last Updated on November 5, 2024
This Crockpot Orange Chicken Recipe is an easy and delicious way to get dinner on the table with very little effort. The chicken is cooked in a sweet and tangy orange sauce that is absolutely irresistible!

If you love crockpot chicken recipes then this is the recipe for you. Not only is this recipe family friendly, but it is always a great way to save on takeout.
Your family will also love this Chicken Noodle Crockpot Casserole for dinner. This recipe has less than 20 mins of prep time, making it a perfect dish to serve on busy days.
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Crockpot Orange Chicken Recipe
Orange chicken was invented in the 1980’s by Panda Express and has since become one of the most popular Chinese food restaurant dishes in America. And for good reason! The combination of sweet and tangy orange sauce with crispy chicken is just irresistible.
Why I Love This Recipe
If you’re looking for an easy and delicious way to get dinner on the table, look no further than this Crockpot Orange Chicken! The sweet tangy sauce will make your mouth water with every bite.
- Easy to make
- Perfect for picky eaters
- Fills the house with a delicious aroma
If you love slow cooker recipes, try this Slow Cooker Asian Pot Roast recipe.

Ingredients
While this ingredient list may seem a little long for this recipe, you most likely have most of these simple ingredients on hand in your pantries already. The other ingredients should be easy to find at your local grocery store.
- boneless skinless chicken breasts
- cornstarch
- salt
- black pepper
- olive oil
For the sauce
- orange zest
- freshly squeezed orange juice
- sugar
- honey
- cornstarch
- low-sodium soy sauce
- rice wine vinegar
- garlic, minced
- sesame oil
- ground ginger
- red pepper flakes

Substitutions
Boneless skinless chicken thighs: This is my preferred substitution for chicken breasts in this recipe. I find that chicken thighs stay moist and juicy much better than chicken breasts when cooked in a crockpot.
Cornstarch: If you are looking for a gluten-free substitution for cornstarch, you can use arrowroot powder or tapioca flour.
Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools
You only need a few basic kitchen tools to help you make this family dinner recipe.
- slow cooker liner or nonstick cooking spray
- gallon sized ziploc bag
- measuring cup and spoon
- large skillet
- medium bowl
- whisk
- slow cooker
How to Make This Crockpot Orange Chicken Recipe
This slow cooker orange chicken recipe comes together in a few simple steps. Just follow the instructions below and you will have a family favorite meal in no time at all.
Step 1: Prepare the slow cooker
Prepare the slow cooker by either spraying it with nonstick cooking spray or inserting a liner.
Step 2: Shake together the dry ingredients
In a gallon-sized freezer bag, shake together the cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken and toss to coat.

Step 3: Brown the chicken pieces
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and brown the chicken in batches until browned on both sides. Place chicken in the crock pot.

Step 4: Stir together the sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients. Pour it over the chicken in the slow cooker.

Step 5: Cook the chicken
Cover the slow cooker and cook for 2 hours on low or 1 hour on high, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Step 6: Garnish and serve
Serve over rice and garnish with sliced green onions.

Variations / Options / Add-Ins
There are a few variations that you can make to this crockpot orange chicken recipe.
Add vegetables: You can easily add some vegetables to this recipe. Just chop them up and add them in with the chicken before cooking. Some great options are broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers.
Make it spicier: If you like your food with a little bit of a kick, you can add some more red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Make it gluten-free: To make this recipe gluten-free, just use a gluten-free soy sauce and substitute the cornstarch for arrowroot powder or tapioca flour.

Tips
Here are a few tips and tricks to help you make the best crockpot orange chicken recipe:
- Be sure to brown the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker. This will help to seal in the juices and make for a juicier chicken.
- If you want to save some time, you can prepare the sauce the night before. Just whisk it all together and store it in a jar in the fridge until you are ready to use it.
- It is important to use fresh orange juice and zest for this recipe. The flavor will not be the same if you use bottled orange juice.
- Add a little crunch to this recipe by garnishing it with sesame seeds.
FAQs
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.
Leftover orange chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, heat it up in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, or in the microwave on 50% power for 1 or 2 minutes.
Yes, you can freeze this recipe. Just store the leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

More Crockpot Recipes
If you like slow cooker recipes, give these recipes a try:
- Crockpot Grape Jelly BBQ Meatballs
- Crockpot Italian Beef Sandwiches
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff with Cream of Mushroom Soup
Crockpot Orange Chicken Recipe
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📋 Recipe

Crockpot Orange Chicken Recipe
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Equipment
- slow cooker liner or nonstick cooking spray
- gallon sized ziploc bag
- Measuring cup and spoon
- Large skillet
- medium bowl
- Whisk
- Slow cooker
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite size pieces
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the sauce
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- ¾ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- ¼ cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker by either spraying it with nonstick cooking spray or inserting a liner.
- In a gallon-sized freezer bag, shake together the cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken and toss to coat.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and brown the chicken in batches until browned on both sides. Move the chicken to the slow cooker.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients. Pour it over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook for 2 hours on low or 1 hour on high, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Serve over rice and garnish with sliced green onions.
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Need to run to the store for a few ingredients first? Don’t forget to pin this recipe so you can find it when you’re ready to cook!
