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Quick and Easy Orange Chicken

This warm, sticky orange chicken is a slow-cooked dish that combines sweet-savory flavors for an easy and comforting meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 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 Use fresh, firm chicken with no odd smell.
  • 3 cloves Garlic Mince or finely chop for best results.
  • 1 tbsp Ginger, fresh Grate fresh ginger for enhanced flavor.
  • 2 tbsp Rice vinegar Adds tanginess to the dish.
  • 1 cup Orange juice, fresh Opt for fresh-squeezed; avoid juice drinks with added sugar.
  • 1/4 cup Honey Can be substituted with a sugar-free syrup.
  • 1/2 cup Soy sauce, low sodium Use low-sodium to control salt levels.
  • 2 tbsp Cornstarch Used for thickening the sauce.
  • 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes Add more for extra heat, if desired.
  • 1 tbsp Sesame seeds Toast for enhanced flavor.
  • 2 tbsp Water Used for mixing with cornstarch.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a crock pot, combine chicken, garlic, ginger, honey, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, rice vinegar, and orange juice.
  2. Place the chicken pieces in a single or slightly overlapped layer at the bottom of the crock pot.
  3. Stir well to coat the chicken with the sauce.
Cooking
  1. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
  2. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth.
  3. After the 4 hours, add the cornstarch mixture to the crock pot and stir.
  4. Cook for an additional 30 minutes to thicken the sauce.
Serving
  1. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving.
  2. Serve over steamed jasmine rice, with noodles, or in lettuce wraps.

Notes

Use fresh ingredients for best flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat gently. For a gluten-free option, replace soy sauce with tamari.