4 Ingredient Crockpot Orange Chicken Recipe: Easy, Healthy, and Delicious

 Easy Sweet & Tangy Crockpot Orange Chicken | Who doesn’t love the sweet and tangy orange glaze that covers delicious, bite-sized, tender morsels of crispy chicken in a Chinese orange chicken recipe? The only thing better than a great-tasting chicken dish is knowing that it takes just 4 ingredients to make! This simple crockpot orange chicken recipe is what slow cooker meals are all about. Just take a few common items, throw them together and leave them to their own devices.

What you are left with is a dish that’s way better than Panda Express take-out or delivery at a fraction of the cost and little to no additional effort on your part and sure to be a family favorite.

Easy Sweet & Tangy Crockpot Orange Chicken: A Delicious and Budget-Friendly Meal

If you are on the lookout for Simple Crockpot Recipes, we’ve got an easy and delicious crockpot orange chicken that is a sweet and tangy dish the whole family will love. 

Get Your Chinese Food Fix with This 4 Ingredient Crockpot Orange Chicken Recipe

Welcome to our recipe for Easy Sweet & Tangy Slow Cooker Orange Chicken! If you’re like us, you love the convenience and flavor of Chinese takeout, but it can get quite expensive. Not to mention, we’re often left wondering what exactly is in the dishes we’re eating from a restaurant. That’s where this simple crock pot recipe comes in. With just 4 ingredients and minimal effort, you can make a delicious Chinese-inspired meal at home that is healthier and more budget-friendly than takeout or delivery. Not to mention, it’s a great way to use your crockpot, which allows for hands-off cooking and keeps food moist and flavorful. So next time you’re craving Chinese food, give this recipe a try and impress your family and friends with a home-cooked meal that’s just as good, if not better, than takeout.

Ingredients List: What You Need to Make Crockpot Orange Chicken

To make this recipe for Easy Sweet & Tangy Crockpot Orange Chicken, you will need a few simple ingredients:

  • 3 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs
Sauce Ingredients:
  • 3/4 cup sweet orange marmalade
  • 3/4 cup barbecue sauce
  • 2 tbsp. soy sauce
These ingredients can all be found at most grocery stores and are relatively budget-friendly. The chicken is the main protein in the dish, and the orange marmalade, BBQ sauce, and soy sauce provide the sweet and tangy flavors that make this recipe so delicious.

I also recommend crockpot liners. They make cleanup a breeze. 

Finding Ingredients for Crockpot Orange Chicken at Dollar Stores

It is possible to find the ingredients for this recipe for Easy Sweet & Tangy Crockpot Orange Chicken at dollar stores like Dollar Tree. Chicken breasts, orange marmalade, BBQ sauce, and soy sauce are all items commonly available at these stores.

To find the chicken, check the frozen food section. You may need to look for individually wrapped chicken breasts, or you may be able to find a package of multiple breasts. Either way, be sure to check the expiration date and choose a package that will be fresh for your recipe.

For the tangy orange sauce, you can find orange marmalade, BBQ sauce, and soy sauce in the condiment aisle. These items are often sold in small containers or bottles, making them easy to find and affordable. Be sure to check the expiration date on these products as well, and choose ones that will be fresh and in good condition for your recipe.

By shopping at a dollar store, you may be able to save a bit of money on the ingredients for this recipe. However, keep in mind that the selection of products may vary by store, so you may need to visit multiple locations to find everything you need. With a bit of effort and some careful shopping, you can find all of the ingredients for this delicious crockpot orange chicken recipe at a dollar store.

Making a Low-Carb Version of Crockpot Orange Chicken

If you are following a low-carb diet, it is easy to adapt this recipe for Easy Sweet & Tangy Crockpot Orange Chicken to fit your dietary needs and make a healthier version. All you have to do is use sugar-free, low-carb versions of the BBQ sauce, orange marmalade, and soy sauce. This will help to reduce the carbohydrate content of the recipe, making it a healthier and more sustainable option for your diet.

To find these products, you can check the “diet” or “low-carb” section of your local grocery store. You may also be able to find them online or at specialty stores that cater to dietary needs. Just be sure to read the labels carefully and choose products that meet your specific dietary requirements. This may include looking for products that are sugar-free, low in carbs, and free of any ingredients that you are trying to avoid.

By using these low-carb ingredients, you can still enjoy the delicious flavor of this crockpot orange chicken recipe while sticking to your dietary goals. Whether you are following a low-carb diet for weight loss, blood sugar management, or any other reason, this recipe is a tasty and convenient option that you can enjoy on a regular basis.

Cooking Instructions: How to Prepare Crockpot Orange Chicken

Once you have all of your ingredients, it’s time to start cooking! Place chicken in the crockpot and cook it on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 6 hours, covered. This will allow the chicken to become tender and flavorful. After the chicken has finished cooking, remove it from the crockpot and set it aside. Discard the meat juice that is left in the crockpot.

Next, cut the chicken into bite-sized cubes and place it back in the crockpot. In a small bowl, mix together the BBQ sauce, orange marmalade, and soy sauce. Pour the mixture over the chicken in the crockpot, making sure to coat all of the chicken pieces evenly. Cook the chicken on HIGH, covered, for an additional 30 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld together and create a sweet and tangy sauce that covers the chicken perfectly. You can also prepare this in an instant pot.

Once the chicken is finished cooking, it’s time to serve it up! This crockpot orange chicken is delicious and served over rice or lo mein noodles. You can also serve it with a side of steamed vegetables for a complete and well-rounded meal.

This 4 ingredient crockpot orange chicken recipe is a hit with the whole family and is sure to become a new favorite in your household. It’s easy to make, budget-friendly, and delicious, making it the perfect meal for busy weeknights. Plus, with just 4 ingredients, it’s a simple and hassle-free recipe that anyone can make.

To make this recipe for Easy Sweet & Tangy Crockpot Orange Chicken, you’ll need to follow a few simple steps:

  • Place the chicken in the crockpot and cover. Cooking Time: HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 6 hours. This will allow the chicken to cook to a tender and juicy consistency.
  • Remove the chicken from the crockpot and set it aside. Discard the meat juice that is left in the crockpot.
  • Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and place it back in the crockpot.
  • In a small bowl, mix the BBQ sauce, orange marmalade, and soy sauce. Pour this mixture over the chicken in the crockpot.
  • Cook the chicken on HIGH for an additional 30 minutes, covered. This will allow the flavors of the BBQ sauce, orange marmalade, and soy sauce to fully penetrate the chicken and create a delicious and sweet, and tangy glaze.

Once the chicken has finished cooking, it is ready to be served. Serve it over rice or lo mein noodles for a complete and satisfying meal. This easy recipe is sure to become a family favorite and is a great alternative to takeout or delivery from a Chinese restaurant. Store leftovers in an airtight container.

Serving Suggestions: Ideas for Serving Crockpot Orange Chicken

There are a few different serving suggestions for this crockpot meal of Orange Chicken:

  1. Serve the crockpot orange tender chicken over white rice, brown rice, or lo mein noodles. This will create a complete meal that is satisfying and reminiscent of traditional Chinese takeout or delivery.
  2. For a complete and balanced meal, consider serving the crockpot orange chicken with steamed vegetables. Options like a side of broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots all pair well with the sweet and tangy flavors of the chicken.
  3. If you prefer a crispy version of the chicken, you can sear the chicken in sesame oil and place it in the crock pot to cook. This will allow the chicken to cook to a slightly more firm and crispy consistency. Be sure to check the chicken periodically to ensure that it is cooking to your desired level of doneness.
  4. For a touch of sweetness, you can add a touch of brown sugar to the ingredients in the crockpot.
  5. Garnish with orange zest.

No matter how you choose to serve this recipe, this easy slow cooker meal is sure to be a hit with the whole family. Whether you prefer your chicken crispy or tender, this easy orange chicken recipe is easy to customize to your taste preferences and is sure to become a staple in your recipe collection.

Variations and Add-Ins: Customize Your Crockpot Orange Chicken to Your Liking

There are a few different variations and add-ins that you can try with this recipe for tangy orange chicken:

  1. Add in chopped vegetables such as bell peppers, green onions, sesame seeds, and broccoli for a more complete and nutritious meal. These vegetables will add crunch and flavor to the dish and can be cooked alongside the chicken in the crockpot.
  2. Swap out the chicken breasts for boneless chicken thighs for a different protein option that provides a juicy chicken. Chicken thighs tend to be more flavorful and moist than breasts, so they can make for a delicious and succulent alternative.
  3. Experiment with different BBQ sauces and orange marmalades to create different flavors and variations on this recipe. Different BBQ sauces can add different levels of sweetness, spiciness, and smokiness to the dish, while different orange marmalades can add different levels of tartness and sweetness. By trying out different combinations, you can create a dish that is customized to your taste preferences.

Overall, this recipe for Easy Sweet & Tangy Crockpot Orange Chicken is a versatile and easy-to-customize meal that can be adapted to suit your preferences and dietary needs. Whether you prefer your chicken crispy or tender, or you like to add vegetables or experiment with different flavors, this recipe will surely become a staple in your recipe collection.

Conclusion: Why Crockpot Orange Chicken is a Must-Try Recipe

In conclusion, this recipe for Easy Sweet & Tangy Crockpot Orange Chicken is a delicious, budget-friendly, and easy-to-make meal that is sure to become a family favorite. With just 4 simple ingredients, this recipe is a breeze to prepare and allows you to sit back and relax while the crockpot does all the work.

Whether you are looking for a simple and satisfying dinner option or you want to impress your guests with a delicious and flavorful meal that rocks their taste buds, this recipe is sure to be a hit. We encourage you to try it and share it with your loved ones.

If you enjoyed this recipe and are looking for more easy and delicious slow cooker recipes, be sure to check out some of our other popular recipes. From hearty white chicken chili to mind-blowingly good slow cooker dinners, we’ve got something for everyone. Slow cooker meals are a great way to make weeknight dinners a breeze, so be sure to add this recipe to your collection and give it a try today.

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