Slow-Cooker Chinese-Inspired Orange Chicken
This slow-cooker Chinese-inspired orange chicken is a delicious and easy way to make a classic takeout dish at home. The chicken is cooked in a flavorful sauce made with orange juice, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic.
Chinese-American takeout has been around at least since the late 19th century, when the first Chinese immigrants arrived in the United States. Early Chinese takeout menus featured Americanized dishes like chop suey and egg foo yung, as well as more traditional Chinese dishes like Peking duck and Szechuan beef. Orange chicken is a relatively recent addition to the Chinese-American takeout canon, but it has quickly become one of the most popular dishes. The earliest known recipe for orange chicken appeared in a 1983 cookbook by Joyce Chen, and the dish has since been adopted by countless Chinese-American restaurants across the country. This slow-cooker version of orange chicken is a simple and delicious way to make this popular dish at home. The chicken is cooked in a flavorful sauce made with orange juice, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic, and the slow-cooking process allows the flavors to meld and develop. Serve the chicken over rice or noodles, and enjoy!
Slow-Cooker Chinese-Inspired Orange Chicken Slow-Cooker Chinese-Inspired Orange Chicken Slow-Cooker Chinese-Inspired Orange Chicken Slow-Cooker Chinese-Inspired Orange Chicken
Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 360 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
  1. Place the chicken breasts in a slow cooker.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, orange juice, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic.
  3. Pour the sauce over the chicken breasts and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through.
  4. Serve the chicken over rice or noodles, and enjoy!
Why It Works
  • The slow-cooking process allows the flavors of the sauce to meld and develop, resulting in a delicious and flavorful dish.
  • The cornstarch in the sauce helps to thicken the sauce and give it a glossy finish.
  • The orange juice, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic add a complex and flavorful to the sauce.
  • The chicken is cooked until tender and juicy, and the sauce coats the chicken evenly.