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Quick and Easy Orange Chicken

A flavorful slow-cooked dish featuring tender chicken in a sweet and tangy orange sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American-Chinese
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main ingredients
  • 1.5 lbs Chicken breasts or thighs, boneless skinless Thighs are juicier; choose based on preference.
  • 3 cloves Garlic Fresh garlic for best aroma.
  • 1 tbsp Ginger, fresh, grated Use fresh ginger for better flavor.
  • 2 Green onions, chopped Green onions, chopped For garnish and added freshness.
  • 1/4 cup Honey Real honey for rich sweetness.
  • 1/2 cup Soy sauce, low sodium Control salt content by choosing low-sodium.
  • 2 tbsp Cornstarch Used for thickening the sauce.
  • 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes Adjust to taste for heat.
  • 1 tbsp Sesame seeds For garnish.
  • 2 tbsp Rice vinegar Balances flavors in the sauce.
  • 1 cup Orange juice, fresh Freshly squeezed for the best flavor.
  • 2 tbsp Water To mix with cornstarch for slurry.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Mix the sauce ingredients: In a bowl, stir together honey, soy sauce, orange juice, grated ginger, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes until well combined and glossy.
  2. Place chicken in the crock pot and pour the sauce mixture over it, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated.
Cooking
  1. Cook on low for 4 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through, checking at 3 hours for fragrance.
  2. Make the cornstarch slurry 30 minutes before serving by mixing cornstarch and water in a bowl, then stir into the crock pot.
Garnishing
  1. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions just before serving.

Notes

Use fresh ingredients for best results. Adjust sweetness and heat according to taste. Store leftovers in an airtight container.