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Easy Orange Chicken

This orange chicken is warm, sweet, tangy, and simple to make, with a sticky glaze and deep flavor profile from slow cooking in a crock pot.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 lbs chicken thighs or breasts Use skinless, boneless thighs or even-sized breasts for uniform cooking.
  • 1 cup orange juice Freshly squeezed for the best flavor.
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce Low-sodium optional to control salt.
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar Should be moist; press hard lumps with a fork to break.
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar Adds brightness to the sauce.
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic Enhances flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger Use fresh ginger for a sharper flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch For thickening the sauce at the end.
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • Chopped green onions for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Place the chicken in a single layer in the crock pot.
  2. In a bowl, mix together the orange juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger until the brown sugar dissolves.
  3. Pour the sauce over the chicken, ensuring the pieces are evenly coated.
Cooking
  1. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is fully opaque and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  2. Before serving, mix cornstarch with a bit of cold water to create a slurry and stir into the sauce to thicken.
Serving
  1. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with green onions before serving.
  2. Serve over rice or noodles, or as part of a salad or wrap.

Notes

For best texture, freeze the sauce and meat together. Adjust flavors of the sauce before serving and use fresh orange juice for maximum flavor.