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Healthy Slow Cooker Orange Chicken - Bright, Zesty, and Easy

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 medium orange, zested (about 1 tablespoon zest)
  • 3/4 cup fresh orange juice (about 2–3 oranges) or 100% no-sugar-added orange juice
  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari (use coconut aminos for soy-free)
  • 2–3 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for gentle heat)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (adjust to taste; soy sauce adds saltiness)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot powder
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced, for garnish
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
  • Cooked brown rice, jasmine rice, or cauliflower rice, for serving
  • Steamed broccoli or snap peas, for serving (optional but recommended)

Method
 

  1. Brown the chicken (optional but recommended): Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high. Sear the chicken in batches for 1–2 minutes per side until lightly golden. You’re not cooking it through—just adding flavor. Transfer to the slow cooker.
  2. Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and salt. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity as needed.
  3. Slow cook: Pour the sauce over the chicken. Cover and cook on Low for 3–4 hours or on High for 1.5–2.5 hours, until the chicken is tender and reaches 165°F internally.
  4. Thicken the sauce: Whisk cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Stir the slurry into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on High for 10–15 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and turns glossy.
  5. Finish and serve: Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve over rice with steamed veggies.