You don’t have to give up takeout-style orange chicken when staying home with your slow cooker! Make this easy version that is just as delicious as the dish at your favorite restaurant (and healthier too!). With a simple list of ingredients, this recipe can be assembled faster than placing an order.

Orange chicken in white bowl with rice topped with chopped green onions

Ingredients Needed

Make a healthier version of a favorite takeout dish without all the extra salt, sugar, preservatives, and MSG! The orange marmalade will elevate your flavor so easily. And, with a soy sauce modification, you can make this recipe gluten-free!

You need:

Chicken – For this recipe, you need to use chicken breast specifically. Cut into larger-sized chunks to prevent it from becoming tough through cooking too fast.
Cornstarch – This provides the crispy edge that you can achieve with the slow cooker.
Olive oil – Olive oil is generally a healthier option than most takeout-style recipes using seed oils.
Orange marmalade – The not-so-secret ingredient? A jar of orange marmalade on hand in the pantry makes it SO easy to whip up a deliciously sweet and savory dish!
Soy sauce – Any regular soy sauce will do, but if you want to make this recipe gluten-free, be sure to buy a gluten-free version like this one. Or, you can also use coconut aminos for practically the same taste.
Rice vinegar, sesame oil, chili garlic sauce – These are staples of Asian-inspired cooking that can elevate the flavor so easily.
Seasonings – Just a pinch of red pepper flakes, and a bit of extra salt and pepper.

sesame oil, rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, orange marmalade, tamari and chili garlic sauce bottles

Package of chicken, bowl of olive oil, bowl of cornstarch

How To Make Crispy Orange Chicken In The Slow Cooker

Place cut-up chicken in a gallon-sized zipper bag with cornstarch and shake. Add a teaspoon or so of water as needed for the cornstarch to form a light batter on the chicken.

Chicken coated in cornstarch in ziplock bag

Heat up a nonstick skillet and lightly coat the surface with olive oil.
Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until lightly browned on one side.
Turn the chicken pieces over and cook for 2-3 minutes on the opposite side.

Cooked chicken pieces in shallow Dutch oven

Place the chicken pieces in the slow cooker.
Mix the remaining ingredients in a bowl or measuring cup.

Glass bowl with orange sauce next to red whisk

Pour the sauce mixture over the top of the chicken.
Cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6 hours until the chicken is fully cooked.

Cooked chicken chunks topped with orange sauce in slow cooker

Orange chicken in oval white slow cooker

Optional: Garnish orange chicken with cilantro, green onions, or sesame seeds.

Recipe Variations

Orange chicken can be made with a few variations depending on your preferences!

Many popular restaurants have crispy orange chicken on the menu with added veggies. You can add chunks of red or green bell pepper into the slow cooker along with the other ingredients. Most other veggies will make the chicken soggy due to the added water content.
If you like, add some canned pineapple during the last 30 minutes to 1 hour of cooking to allow the pieces to become saturated with the orange marmalade sauce.
To save time or steps, skip the cornstarch batter and precooking in the skillet and make a non-crispy variation in the slow cooker for the flavor.
Add a little extra spice with a pinch or two of red pepper flakes!

Keep in mind that you must use chicken breast to maintain a tender texture within the allotted cooking time and to prevent greasiness during cooking.

What To Serve With Crispy Orange Chicken

Crispy orange chicken is classically paired over a bowl of sticky white rice although you could also swap out brown rice or coconut rice. For a lower-carb option, saute some cauliflower rice in a bit of sesame oil for a tasty side! If you need another appliance option, try Instant Pot Jasmine Rice.

To add a little extra green to the meal, try sauteed spinach or zucchini or Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic. A bit of sesame oil here goes a long way in the skillet! You can also make your veggies slightly spicy with a pinch of crushed red pepper.

Storing and Reheating

Store your leftovers for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also freeze the leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Be sure the chicken has fully cooled before freezing.

To reheat, place in the microwave and set to reduced power in order to avoid overcooking the chicken and making it tough. Defrost in the fridge first if reheating from frozen.