Amazing Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

Name: Amazing Slow Cooker Orange Chicken
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 4 h 30 min
Total time: 4 h 55 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 1 cup chicken stock; 1 cup orange juice; 1 cup orange marmalade; 1/2 cup ketchup; 1/4 cup Dijon mustard; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce; 1 tablespoon minced fresh gingerroot; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 2 tablespoons molasses, optional; 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4-inch pieces; 1/2 cup cornstarch; 3/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1 large sweet red pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces; 2 cups fresh broccoli florets; Hot cooked rice; Optional toppings: chopped green onions, peanuts and fresh cilantro

Orange chicken is my favorite Chinese takeout food, but I know that it’s very high in sodium and fat. So I got to work at home and created a healthier version. Now I have peace of mind knowing what ingredients are in it and that it’s better for my family. —Barbara J. Miller, Oakdale, Minnesota

Ingredients

1 cup chicken stock
1 cup orange juice
1 cup orange marmalade
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon minced fresh gingerroot
1 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons molasses, optional
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1/2 cup cornstarch
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 large sweet red pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
Hot cooked rice
Optional toppings: chopped green onions, peanuts and fresh cilantro

Directions

In a small bowl, combine the first 11 ingredients; stir in molasses if desired. In a 4-qt. slow cooker, combine chicken, cornstarch, salt and pepper; toss to coat. Top with red pepper. Pour stock mixture over top. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until chicken is tender.
Stir in broccoli. Cover and cook on high 30-40 minutes longer or until broccoli is crisp-tender. Serve with rice. Sprinkle with toppings of your choice.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup (calculated without rice and toppings): 319 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 891mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (36g sugars, 1g fiber), 25g protein.

Originally published as Amazing Slow Cooker Orange Chicken in Taste of Home Everyday Slow Cooker & One Dish Recipes 2013

Reviews

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Average Rating:

LISeal

Mar 26, 2017

I followed this recipe exactly. Not to be too critical as spice is an individual taste, but my husband and myself thought it too hot and also the sauce had no thickness to it (like the restaurant varieties)
inghalle

Feb 27, 2017

This looks so good, and I would love to try it, but I don't have a slow cooker. Does it work using the oven, and in that case, at which temperature??
xlsalbums

Apr 18, 2016

It wasn't as good as it looked. Not as flavorful and a bit liquidy.
Cook_aholic

Mar 7, 2016

I thought this was a good recipe. I went light on the marmalade after reading the reviews. To cut down on the salt I used no-salt added chicken broth and no-salt added ketchup. Did not add the 3/4 tsp of salt.TIP: Instead of cutting all of the chicken with a knife, I used my chicken shears and cut small chicken bites. Went a lot quicker and wasn't as messy.
cbridenbecker

Oct 29, 2015

The orange marmalade was overwhelming and too intense when mixed with the other ingredients.
chewrz

Apr 21, 2015

Nice sauce. I went easy on the Marmalade (not my fav) and the Crushed Red Pepper Flakes. I quickly saut?ed my boneless, skinless chicken leg meat. Will make it again.
M.Simons

Mar 28, 2014

Disappointing. Made it exactly as listed & chicken turned out dry & tasteless. I threw all of it down the garbage disposal.
Hayseed39

Mar 25, 2014

Loved this recipe, and I will definitely make it again. It lends itself well to substitutions; I didn't have orange marmalade, so I used a sweet-hot onion relish, squeezed two oranges and threw in the pulp. I should have backed off on the crushed red pepper, due to the heat of the relish, but my bad. I might try throwing in some pineapple chunks and onion next time. This is a keeper.
kowak612

Mar 24, 2014

delicious! Eliminated the mustard and ketchup and it came out perfect.
reneeott123

Mar 22, 2014

My daughter and I did not like this recipe at all. The orange marmalade was overwhelming, and mixed with the other ingredients in an unfavorable way. We threw it away. Still looking for a good Orange Chicken recipe.