Crockpot Chicken With Orange Marmalade

Crockpot chicken with orange marmalade is one of the best crockpot recipes I know of. I love to use my crockpot for soups and other stews, but it’s really perfect for a lot of different meals as well. The chicken stays wonderfully moist, and the flavors meld together perfectly in this Crockpot Chicken with Orange Marmalade recipe.

This crockpot orange chicken recipe is easy to make, healthy, and tastes delicious. Use less oil than regular recipes, but only a small amount of orange marmalade makes a lot of flavors and goes a long way. Chicken thighs cook well in the crockpot and don’t dry out like chicken breasts. I’m the first to admit my crock pot is one of my very favorite kitchen appliances.

This easy slow-cooker orange chicken recipe is delicious and perfect for busy weeknights. Succulent oranges and tender chicken are slow-cooked in a sweet and tangy sauce with ginger, soy sauce, and garlic. This orange chicken tastes just like take-out, but you don’t have to leave the house! It’s a quick and easy place to prepare a meal. Below are the health benefits of eating chicken.

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Easy Slow Cooker Orange Chicken Recipe

This is the easiest orange chicken recipe ever and there’s no breading, browning, or frying involved. Your slow cooker does all the work for you. The chicken is so tender, juicy, and layered with complementary flavors from the orange marmalade, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and green onions.

It reminds me of Panda Express Chinese Orange Chicken except with this copycat recipe, there’s no frying. Along with rice and steamed broccoli and peapods, my family loved this meal and it couldn’t be any easier for me. I used a slow cooker liner and clean-up was as easy as tossing the liner.

There’s plenty of cooking sauce left over in the bottom of the slow cooker, which I spoon generously over the chicken, rice, and veggies. I love the sweet-and-tangy, savory flavor, and don’t let a drop go to waste.

What’s in Slow Cooker Orange Chicken? 

To make this orange chicken recipe with orange marmalade, you’ll need: 

• Olive oil
• Boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Cornstarch
• Salt and pepper
• Orange marmalade 
• Low-sodium soy sauce
• Rice wine vinegar
• Sesame oil
• Ground ginger
• Garlic powder
• Sesame seeds
• Green onions
• Orange slices (optional) 

How to Make Slow-Cooker Orange Chicken

Drizzle the bottom of your slow cooker with olive oil. Then, place the diced chicken, cornstarch, salt, and pepper in a zip-top bag and shake to coat. Place chicken in a slow cooker. 

Next, add the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker and gently stir the chicken to coat it evenly in the sauce. 

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 just cook until the chicken is done (reaches 165F on an instant-read thermometer).

I like serving my CrockPot orange chicken over rice garnished with chopped green onion and sesame seeds. 

Can I Make Orange Chicken Without a Slow Cooker? 

I haven’t made this recipe without a slow cooker, so I can’t give specifics about how to tweak it if you don’t own one. I have other chicken recipes listed in the Related Recipes below that you can try until you can make this with a slow cooker.

Related Post: crockpot chicken with stove top stuffing

Can I Add Veggies to the Orange Chicken? 

I’ve only made this recipe as written, but a few readers have reported success with adding chopped vegetables to the slow cooker in the last 30 or so minutes of cooking. Play around with it and see what works for you! 

Tips for Making Slow-Cooker Orange Chicken

Some readers have asked if they can use sugar-free orange marmalade in this easy orange chicken recipe. I’ve only made this recipe using regular orange marmalade (i.e. full sugar), so I can’t speak to how the sugar-free kind will cook down in the sauce and if it will affect the overall flavor of the dish. 

I’ve only made this orange marmalade chicken recipe using chicken breasts, but I’m sure you could get away with boneless skinless chicken thighs instead. Just be sure to dice them into even-sized pieces so the chicken cooks evenly. 

If you have a sesame allergy, you’re welcome to use additional olive oil in the orange chicken sauce instead of sesame oil. And skip the sesame seed garnish. 

YIELD: 4

Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

prep time 5 MINUTES

cook time 2 HOURS

total time 2 HOURS 5 MINUTES

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!!

INGREDIENTS

•  2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
•  1 1/2 to 2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
•  1/3 cup cornstarch
•  1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
•  1/2 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
•  1 cup orange marmalade
•  1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
•  1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
•  1 teaspoon sesame oil
•  1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground ginger, or to taste
•  1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
•  2 tablespoons sesame seeds, lightly toasted if desired (add to a dry skillet and cook over medium heat for about 30 seconds or until fragrant)
•  2 tablespoons green onions, sliced thin for garnish
•  orange slices, optional for garnishing

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Line a 3 to 6-quart slow cooker with a liner if using one. I prefer to use liners for easy cleanup.
2. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over the bottom of the liner or slow cooker.
3. To a large, gallon-sized zip-top plastic bag, add the chicken, cornstarch, salt, and pepper, seal the bag, and toss to coat the chicken evenly. Add chicken to slow cooker, evenly distributed; set aside.
4. 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.
5. Pour the mixture over the chicken, using a spoon to distribute the sauce as necessary, making sure all pieces are coated.
6. 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).
7. Add chicken to a plate with as much extra cooking sauce spooned over the top as desired, garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, and 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.

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Crockpot Orange Chicken Recipe

Finally, a Crockpot Orange Chicken Recipe everyone will love!  Just 4 ingredients and you’re done! On the hunt for another tasty Easy Crockpot Recipe??  Well, this savory Crockpot Orange Chicken Recipe delivers… BIG Time!!!  This crazy easy crockpot orange chicken breast dinner is sensational, insanely delicious, and ridiculously simple to make!

When it comes to Chinese food, Orange Chicken tops the charts every time!  With that perfect blend of sweet and tang, there’s something just so addictive about it, right?  Simply serve with a side of rice, and dinner is done!

So skip the Chinese Orange Chicken takeout tonight and go grab your Crockpot instead!  With sweet orange marmalade, and just four ingredients, this delicious Asian slow cooker recipe is about as easy as it gets!

Here’s what you’ll do to make your Crockpot Orange Chicken…

Crockpot Orange Chicken Recipe

How Do You Make Orange Chicken At Home?

It’s actually really easy thanks to this simple slow cooker recipe!

1. You’ll just toss your chicken in the crock pot, let it cook, and later drain the juices.
2. Then you’ll pull the chicken out and cube it and place it back in the slow cooker, or leave it as is as chicken breasts.
3. Finally, you’ll mix up some perfectly sweet and tangy orange chicken sauce, pour it over the chicken in the crock pot, let it cook for 30 more minutes, and serve over rice or chow mein noodles.  You can even top it off with some sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
4. So easy, and dinner is done!

Can You Make Orange Chicken Without Orange Juice?

Yep, you sure can!  In this recipe, we’ll actually use orange marmalade to give the sauce that epic orange-y flavor we all love!

What is Orange Chicken Sauce Made Of?

So are you wondering… what ingredients are in orange chicken?  Well, as crazy as it sounds, this orange chicken sauce is made with just 3 simple ingredients…

• Orange Marmalade
• Soy Sauce
• Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce

Oh I know, I know… you’re probably thinking why in the world would you have bbq sauce in orange chicken?  Well just trust me… when you mix these three flavors all together you’ll end up with the most delicious orange chicken sauce ever!  It just works!

If you’d like to give it a little extra kick, go ahead and add a pinch of red pepper flakes, too!

What Your Frugal Friends Are Saying About This Recipe:

Kaitlyn writes: “This was so easy and tasted great!”

Kaley writes: “I tried it and really liked it! I’m planning on making it again soon! I made fried rice to go with it.”

Laura writes: “Family loved it and it was very easy.”

Candy writes: “I made this for the company and we all enjoyed it very much!”

Dawn writes: “Great over rice!”

Savannah writes: “This was SO good! My entire family enjoyed it!”

Kristy writes: “Quick, easy, and delicious!”

Darcy writes: “Very easy to make. I added broccoli and carrots during the last 30 minutes.”

Ashleigh writes: “Made it on the stove instead. Cut chicken into large chunks and cook. In a saucepan, I heated the marmalade and bbq sauce and let it simmer for about 10min. Added about a cup to the chicken and let that simmer for another 10min. Nice tangy orange taste. Definitely keeping this one around.”

Related Post: healthy chicken breast recipes to lose weight

Crockpot Orange Chicken Recipe

Finally, a Crockpot Orange Chicken Recipe everyone will love! Just 4 ingredients and you’re done!

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 3 hrs 30 mins

Total Time 3 hrs 35 mins

Course: Entree

Cuisine: Asian

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 3 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts thawed
• 3/4 cup Smuckers Sweet Orange Marmalade
• 3/4 cup of Sweet Baby Ray’s Original BBQ Sauce {it’s SO good!}
• 2 tbsp. Soy Sauce

Instructions

• Cook chicken in the crockpot on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 6 hours {covered}
• After 3 hours on HIGH or 6 hours on LOW, drain juices from the crockpot
• At this point… you can either leave the chicken breasts whole, or remove them, cut them into cubes, and transfer them back to the crockpot.
• Mix together bbq sauce, orange marmalade, and soy sauce.
• Pour mixture over chicken, and cook on high for 30 more minutes {covered}
• Serve with rice and Enjoy!!

Related Post: healthy chicken breast recipes

Crockpot Chicken With Orange Marmalade

This Crockpot Chicken With Orange Marmalade recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners. It’s also great for tailgating and parties. This recipe feeds lots of hungry people! If you love oranges, you will enjoy this crockpot recipe for chicken with orange marmalade. The orange sauce is so delicious and coats the chicken perfectly as it slowly cooks in the crockpot.

Chicken breast, orange marmalade, BBQ sauce, and soy sauce slow-cooked in a Crockpot to absolute perfection!

When the kids are home on summer break from school, our schedules get seriously OUT OF WHACK. We’re running in a million different directions, our sleep habits are off and everyone is always hungry. Easy recipe ideas for busy weeknights are a must!

So, in an effort to try to make sense of this summer’s craziness, I like to make dinners that are easy to put together and that my family loves. This Crock-Pot slow cooker delicious orange chicken with flavorful sauce is definitely a family favorite of ours and one of our most popular slow cooker recipes!

Chicken breast, orange marmalade, BBQ sauce, and soy sauce slow-cooked to perfection! Save money for the whole family by ordering Panda Express (or your other restaurant favorites) and make this great recipe instead.

It’s a slow cooker meal that slow cooks while we’re out and about running errands. Coming home to slow-cooking juicy chicken with a tangy orange glaze that tastes like a dish from a Chinese restaurant is simply amazing. An easy orange chicken recipe that will surely get a star rating from your family.

Equipment Needed for Crock Pot Slow Cooker Orange Chicken Recipe

• slow cooker
• colander

Ingredients Needed for Crock-Pot Slow Cooker Orange Chicken Recipe

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (boneless skinless chicken thighs would work as well)
• 3/4 cup BBQ sauce (sauce ingredients
• )3/4 sweet orange marmalade (or orange preserves)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce

OPTIONAL:

• sesame seeds
• orange zest
• green onions

Related Post: healthy chicken thigh recipes

Instructions for Crock-Pot Orange Chicken Recipe Sweet Orange Sauce

1. Cut chicken breast into cube-sized pieces, place chicken pieces in the slow cooker, then and cook in slow cooker on low for 2 1/2 hours (or medium for 1 1/2 hours).
2. While the chicken is cooking, combine BBQ sauce, marmalade, and soy sauce in a medium bowl until well blended.
3. After step 1, drain the juices from the chicken and pour the liquid mixture into the slow cooker with the chicken. Cook for 3-4 hours on low or until chicken is cooked through.
4. Serve on top of white rice, brown rice, noodles, or a side dish of broccoli!
5. optional: top with sesame seeds, green onions, and orange zest

Store leftovers in an airtight container.

Health Benefits of Eating Chicken

Chicken is a great source of protein. Get to know the various health benefits of eating chicken as well as how to cook in a healthy way.

Chicken is one of the most valued foods among people of all ages, throughout the world. Not only it forms a crucial part of various culinary traditions but it is also highly nutritious and delicious to taste. A great source of protein, chicken has been linked to a long list of health benefits. Here are the amazing health benefits of eating chicken.

1. Helps build muscles

Chicken is one of the best non-vegetarian sources of protein. It is lean meat, which means that it contains more amount of proteins and less amount of fat. A 100g serving of roasted chicken offers you 31g of protein, making it great for those who want to bulk up and build muscles.

2. Keeps your bones healthy

Apart from protein, chicken is rich in several minerals like phosphorus and calcium, which helps keeps bones in mint condition. Also, it has selenium which has been known to cut the risk of arthritis.

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3. Relieves stress

Chicken has two nutrients that are great for reducing stress tryptophan and Vitamin B5. Both of them have a calming effect on your body and this makes chicken an excellent option after a stressful day. Also, it tastes great and that too adds to its stress-releasing, happiness-inducing properties. Read our mega guide on how to deal with stress.

4. Reduces PMS symptoms

Magnesium, a nutrient present in chicken helps soothe symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome and fight the various mood changes that a woman might experience during her periods. Here are more tips on dealing with PMS.

5. Helps boost testosterone levels

Men should consume foods rich in zinc as it helps regulate testosterone levels as well as boost sperm production.

6. Boosts immunity

Chicken soup has long been used as a home remedy for relieving colds, flu, and other common respiratory infections. The hot steam of chicken soup helps clear nasal and throat congestion while the thick fluid coats the throat to prevent invasion of respiratory linings by microbes to cause infection. A study evaluating this effect suggested that chicken soup inhibits the migration of neutrophils, a type of immune cell, thereby preventing inflammation during common infections and boosting immunity.

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7. Promotes heart health

Chicken, being rich in vitamin B6, plays an important role in preventing heart attacks. Vitamin B6 helps by lowering the levels of homocysteine, one of the key components linked to an increased risk of a heart attack. Besides, chicken is also a good source of niacin which helps lower cholesterol, a risk factor for heart disease development. The American Heart Association also recommends the consumption of chicken over red meat since it contains less amount of saturated fats and is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids that exhibit beneficial cardiovascular effects.

8. Fairly High Protein Content

As per the USDA FoodData Central, chicken breast, with 14.73 grams of protein per 100 grams, is one of the best foods for protein. Protein plays an important role in our diet. It is made of amino acids, which are the building blocks of our muscles. Generally, the recommended amount of daily protein requirement is 1 gram per 1 kg of body weight or 0.4 g of protein per pound of body weight. For athletes, the daily requirement of protein is about 0.6 g to 0.9 g per pound.

9. Rich in Vitamins & Minerals

It is not only a good source of protein but is also possibly very rich in vitamins and minerals. For example, B vitamins help the body with energy production and also help form healthy red blood cells.

Vitamin D in chicken helps in calcium absorption and bone strengthening. Vitamin A helps in building eyesight and is considered to play an important role in the immune system. Minerals such as iron can be helpful in hemoglobin formation, muscle activity, and preventing anemia. Potassium and sodium are electrolytes, which can aid in fluid balance while phosphorus helps tackle weakness, bone health, brain function, dental care, and metabolic issues. 

10. May Control Blood Pressure

Blood pressure can be an invisible condition but have a serious impact on your overall health. It is best managed with a healthy diet and lifestyle habits. A 2008 animal study concluded that collagen extracts from chicken led to a significant decrease in blood pressure. A report by the Harvard Medical School suggests that including chicken in your diet, two servings per week can be a healthy choice in combination with other recommendations. 

Related Post: Best Vitamins For Boosting Immune System

11. May Reduce Cholesterol

The amount of saturated fat and cholesterol found in red meat such as beef, pork, and lamb is much higher than the levels found in chicken, fish, and vegetables. Therefore, the American Heart Association has advised consuming chicken or fish instead of red meat for a lowered risk of cholesterol and subsequent heart disease development. The AHA also states that consuming chicken or fish must be limited to normal levels, as excessive consumption can also lead to the development of heart disease.

12. May Provide Common Cold Relief

While a bowl of chicken soup is not an assured treatment for the common cold, cough, or sore throat, it has a centuries-old reputation for providing relief when one is down with such common ailments. It offers warmth through the cold and has been a go-to when you experience a loss of appetite.