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Easy Orange Chicken

A warm, sweet and tangy dish that combines the bright citrus flavors of orange with tender chicken thighs, all cooked to perfection in a slow cooker.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese-American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs Choose fresh and moist chicken thighs.
  • 1 cup orange juice Use 100% orange juice for best flavor.
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce Low sodium if necessary.
  • 1/4 cup honey Use real honey for sweetness.
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic is preferred.
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger Fresh ginger for best flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste Do not over-salt early.
  • Cooked rice for serving Plain steamed white rice is recommended.
  • Chopped green onions for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a bowl, stir together orange juice, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil until the honey dissolves.
  2. Sprinkle salt and pepper evenly over both sides of the chicken thighs. Place the thighs in the crock pot in an even layer.
  3. Pour the orange sauce evenly over the thighs in the crock pot.
Cooking
  1. Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 3–4 hours until the chicken reaches 165°F and falls apart easily.
Finishing Touches
  1. Use two forks to shred the chicken in the crock pot or lift and shred on a cutting board.
  2. Stir the shredded chicken into the sauce until evenly coated.
  3. Serve over hot cooked rice and garnish with chopped green onions.

Notes

For a thicker sauce, simmer the sauce on the stove after cooking. Let the dish rest for 10 minutes after cooking to enhance flavors. Avoid opening the lid frequently to maintain temperature.