Introduction: Craving a Tangy, Sweet Dinner?
Want a delicious, family-friendly meal that’s perfect for weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner? Sweet Orange Chicken is the ultimate recipe! This slow-cooker dish features tender chicken coated in a vibrant, sweet, and tangy sauce made with orange marmalade, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, and fresh ginger. With minimal prep, the slow cooker does all the work, delivering a flavorful, fuss-free meal. Ready to create a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish? Let’s dive into this tasty recipe!
Overview: Why Sweet Orange Chicken Is Special
Sweet Orange Chicken is a juicy, flavorful dish that blends sweet, tangy, and savory flavors for a delightful dinner. The slow-cooker method makes it stand out. Here’s why it’s so special:
- Time Requirement: About 10 minutes prep, 6-8 hours cooking on Low, for a total of about 6.25-8.25 hours.
- Difficulty Level: Easy! Simple coating, mixing, and slow-cooking steps make it ideal for beginners or busy cooks.
- Why It’s Unique: The slow cooker ensures tender, fall-apart chicken, while the sauce—combining orange marmalade’s citrusy sweetness, barbecue sauce’s smoky tang, soy sauce’s umami, and ginger’s warm spice—creates a bold, balanced flavor. This dish is versatile, pairing perfectly with rice or noodles, and it’s great for family meals or meal prepping. It’s a homemade take on takeout-style orange chicken, minus the frying.
This recipe is vibrant, versatile, and perfect for chicken lovers or fans of Asian-inspired flavors. Let’s get cooking!
Essential Ingredients
This recipe serves 4-6 and uses pantry staples for a flavorful dish. Here’s what you’ll need for the original (1x) recipe:
- For the Chicken:
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds), cut up and skin removed
- For the Sauce:
- 2/3 cup orange marmalade
- 2/3 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh gingerroot
- Optional for Serving:
- Hot cooked rice or rice noodles
Why These Ingredients Matter
- Flour: Lightly coats the chicken to help the sauce cling.
- Chicken: A cut-up broiler/fryer provides a mix of tender pieces.
- Orange Marmalade: Adds sweet, citrusy flavor.
- Barbecue Sauce: Contributes smoky, tangy depth.
- Soy Sauce: Brings salty, umami balance.
- Gingerroot: Provides warm, spicy freshness.
- Rice or Noodles: Optional base to soak up the sauce.
Substitutions and Variations
- Chicken: Swap with 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (reduce cooking time to 5-6 hours).
- Flour: Use cornstarch or gluten-free flour for a gluten-free option.
- Orange Marmalade: Replace with apricot preserves or 1/2 cup orange juice plus 2 tablespoons honey.
- Barbecue Sauce: Use a sweet or spicy variety, or make your own with ketchup, molasses, and spices.
- Soy Sauce: Swap with low-sodium soy sauce, tamari (gluten-free), or coconut aminos.
- Ginger: Use 1 teaspoon ground ginger or 1 tablespoon ginger paste.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour, soy sauce, and barbecue sauce.
- Spicy Orange Chicken: Add 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or 1 tablespoon sriracha to the sauce.
- Veggie-Packed: Add 1 cup sliced bell peppers or carrots to the slow cooker.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making Sweet Orange Chicken is quick and easy, with minimal prep and a hands-off slow-cooker finish. Follow these steps for a perfect dish!
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
- Measure 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour.
- Cut up 1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds), remove skin, and pat dry.
- Measure 2/3 cup orange marmalade, 2/3 cup barbecue sauce, 1/4 cup soy sauce.
- Mince 2 tablespoons fresh gingerroot.
- Prepare hot cooked rice or rice noodles if using.
Tip: Use a sharp knife to cut chicken into pieces (breasts, thighs, drumsticks, wings); mince ginger finely for even flavor.
Step 2: Coat the Chicken
- Flour Chicken: Place flour in a shallow dish or bowl. Add chicken pieces a few at a time, tossing to coat lightly.
- Arrange in Slow Cooker: Place coated chicken pieces in a 3-quart slow cooker.
Tip: Shake off excess flour to avoid a gummy texture; arrange chicken evenly for consistent cooking.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
- Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk orange marmalade, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, and minced ginger until smooth.
Tip: Stir well to blend marmalade; taste and adjust with extra soy sauce or ginger if desired.
Step 4: Slow Cook
- Add Sauce: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken, ensuring pieces are coated.
- Cook on Low: Cover and cook on Low for 6-8 hours, until chicken juices run clear and an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached.
Tip: Check at 6 hours; stir halfway through if possible to coat chicken evenly. Avoid lifting the lid often.
Step 5: Serve
- Remove Chicken: Transfer chicken to a serving platter or plates.
- Spoon Sauce: Spoon sauce from the slow cooker over the chicken.
- Serve: Serve hot with optional rice or rice noodles to soak up the sauce.
Tip: Use a slotted spoon for chicken and a ladle for sauce; garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for flair.
Assembly: Building the Perfect Sweet Orange Chicken
Assembling Sweet Orange Chicken is all about creating tender chicken with a vibrant, sticky sauce. Here’s how to put it together:
- Coat Chicken: Dust with flour for sauce adhesion.
- Mix Sauce: Blend marmalade, barbecue sauce, soy, and ginger.
- Slow Cook: Cook chicken in sauce until tender.
- Serve: Plate with sauce and optional rice or noodles.
Presentation Tips:
- Serve on a platter with sauce drizzled over chicken and rice or noodles on the side.
- Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, or orange zest for color.
- Pair with steamed broccoli, snap peas, or a cucumber salad.
- Use a white or colorful plate to highlight the sauce’s glossy orange hue.
Serving Suggestions
Sweet Orange Chicken is versatile and perfect for a variety of occasions. Here are some ideas to enjoy it:
- Weeknight Dinner: Serve over jasmine rice with a side of stir-fried veggies.
- Family Meal: Pair with rice noodles and a fruit salad for a fun twist.
- Meal Prep: Portion with rice for easy lunches throughout the week.
- Party Dish: Serve family-style with chopsticks and extra sauce for dipping.
- With Extras: Add a sprinkle of crushed peanuts or a side of egg rolls.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Sweet Orange Chicken is great for leftovers or meal prep. Here’s how to keep it fresh:
- Storing Leftovers:
- Cool completely, then store chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water, about 5-7 minutes, or microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make-Ahead Tips:
- Sauce: Mix sauce up to 2 days ahead; refrigerate.
- Chicken: Coat chicken with flour and refrigerate up to 1 day before cooking.
- Freezing: Freeze cooked chicken with sauce for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.
Tip: Store rice or noodles separately to prevent sogginess; reheat sauce and chicken together for flavor.
Recipe Variations
Sweet Orange Chicken is versatile and easy to customize. Here are some fun twists to try:
- Spicy Orange Chicken: Add 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce or 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes.
- Sweet and Sour: Replace barbecue sauce with 1/2 cup pineapple juice and 2 tablespoons vinegar.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour, soy sauce, and barbecue sauce.
- Low-Sodium: Use low-sodium soy sauce and barbecue sauce; reduce soy to 2 tablespoons.
- Citrus Twist: Add 1 tablespoon lemon zest or 1/4 cup orange juice for extra zing.
- Teriyaki Orange: Swap barbecue sauce with teriyaki sauce for an Asian flair.
- Oven Option: Bake coated chicken with sauce in a covered dish at 350°F for 1-1.5 hours, uncovering for the last 15 minutes.
Tip: Keep the orange marmalade-ginger base for the signature flavor.
Conclusion: Savor Your Sweet Orange Chicken!
You’ve just made Sweet Orange Chicken—a tender, tangy, and sweet dish that’s perfect for any occasion! This slow-cooker recipe is easy, versatile, and so delicious it’ll become a go-to for family dinners or meal prep. Whether you serve it over rice or twirl it with noodles, this dish is sure to impress. Grab a plate, dive into the citrusy goodness, and enjoy the vibrant flavors. What’s your favorite side for orange chicken? Share your ideas in the comments, and happy cooking!
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Sweet Orange Chicken
Description
Want a delicious, family-friendly meal that’s perfect for weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner? Sweet Orange Chicken is the ultimate recipe! This slow-cooker dish features tender chicken coated in a vibrant, sweet, and tangy sauce made with orange marmalade, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, and fresh ginger
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds), cut up and skin removed
- For the Sauce:
- 2/3 cup orange marmalade
- 2/3 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh gingerroot
- Optional for Serving:
- Hot cooked rice or rice noodles
Why These Ingredients Matter
- Flour: Lightly coats the chicken to help the sauce cling.
- Chicken: A cut-up broiler/fryer provides a mix of tender pieces.
- Orange Marmalade: Adds sweet, citrusy flavor.
- Barbecue Sauce: Contributes smoky, tangy depth.
- Soy Sauce: Brings salty, umami balance.
- Gingerroot: Provides warm, spicy freshness.
- Rice or Noodles: Optional base to soak up the sauce.
Substitutions and Variations
- Chicken: Swap with 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (reduce cooking time to 5-6 hours).
- Flour: Use cornstarch or gluten-free flour for a gluten-free option.
- Orange Marmalade: Replace with apricot preserves or 1/2 cup orange juice plus 2 tablespoons honey.
- Barbecue Sauce: Use a sweet or spicy variety, or make your own with ketchup, molasses, and spices.
- Soy Sauce: Swap with low-sodium soy sauce, tamari (gluten-free), or coconut aminos.
- Ginger: Use 1 teaspoon ground ginger or 1 tablespoon ginger paste.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour, soy sauce, and barbecue sauce.
- Spicy Orange Chicken: Add 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or 1 tablespoon sriracha to the sauce.
- Veggie-Packed: Add 1 cup sliced bell peppers or carrots to the slow cooker.
Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
- Measure 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour.
- Cut up 1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds), remove skin, and pat dry.
- Measure 2/3 cup orange marmalade, 2/3 cup barbecue sauce, 1/4 cup soy sauce.
- Mince 2 tablespoons fresh gingerroot.
- Prepare hot cooked rice or rice noodles if using.
Tip: Use a sharp knife to cut chicken into pieces (breasts, thighs, drumsticks, wings); mince ginger finely for even flavor.
Step 2: Coat the Chicken
- Flour Chicken: Place flour in a shallow dish or bowl. Add chicken pieces a few at a time, tossing to coat lightly.
- Arrange in Slow Cooker: Place coated chicken pieces in a 3-quart slow cooker.
Tip: Shake off excess flour to avoid a gummy texture; arrange chicken evenly for consistent cooking.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
- Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk orange marmalade, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, and minced ginger until smooth.
Tip: Stir well to blend marmalade; taste and adjust with extra soy sauce or ginger if desired.
Step 4: Slow Cook
- Add Sauce: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken, ensuring pieces are coated.
- Cook on Low: Cover and cook on Low for 6-8 hours, until chicken juices run clear and an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached.
Tip: Check at 6 hours; stir halfway through if possible to coat chicken evenly. Avoid lifting the lid often.
Step 5: Serve
- Remove Chicken: Transfer chicken to a serving platter or plates.
- Spoon Sauce: Spoon sauce from the slow cooker over the chicken.
- Serve: Serve hot with optional rice or rice noodles to soak up the sauce.
Tip: Use a slotted spoon for chicken and a ladle for sauce; garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for flair.
FAQs
Q: Is Sweet Orange Chicken healthy?
A: Chicken provides protein, but the sauce is high in sugar and sodium. Use low-sodium soy sauce, reduce marmalade to 1/2 cup, or pair with veggies for a lighter meal.
Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: Yes, thaw completely in the fridge before coating to ensure even cooking and sauce absorption.
Q: Why is my chicken dry?
A: Overcooking or using skinless breasts can cause this. Cook for 6-8 hours and check at 6 hours; use thighs for juicier results.
Q: Can I cook this on High?
A: Yes, cook on High for 3-4 hours, checking for 165°F (74°C). Low is better for tenderness.
Q: Can I use store-bought orange chicken sauce?
A: Yes, replace marmalade, barbecue sauce, and soy sauce with 1-1/2 cups store-bought orange sauce, adjusting ginger to taste.
Q: Can I freeze Sweet Orange Chicken?
A: Yes! Freeze cooked chicken with sauce for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat with a splash of water.