Description
Succulent orange chicken delights families with its tangy and sweet Asian-inspired flavors. Tender chicken pieces coated in zesty orange sauce promise a simple, satisfying meal for home cooks eager to enjoy restaurant-quality dinner without complex preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (340 grams) orange marmalade
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 lbs (907 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsps (30 milliliters) olive oil
- ⅓ cup (40 grams) cornstarch
- 1 tbsp (15 milliliters) rice vinegar
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp (5 milliliters) sesame oil
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Coating Preparation: Thoroughly dredge chicken pieces in cornstarch, salt, and black pepper, ensuring complete and even coverage for optimal texture and flavor.
- Searing Stage: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, quickly sear chicken pieces for 2-3 minutes per side to develop a golden-brown crust that locks in moisture and enhances depth of flavor.
- Sauce Creation: Whisk orange marmalade, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a mixing bowl until smooth and well-integrated, creating a vibrant and complex flavor profile.
- Slow Cooking Process: Transfer seared chicken to the slow cooker, pour prepared sauce over the meat, ensuring each piece is completely coated. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until chicken becomes tender and fully cooked.
- Final Touches: Gently stir chicken to redistribute sauce, allowing flavors to meld completely. Serve over steamed rice or noodles, garnishing with finely sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for a burst of fresh flavor and added texture.
Notes
- Optimize Coating Technique: Ensure chicken is completely and evenly coated with cornstarch mixture for a crispy, golden exterior that locks in moisture and enhances overall texture.
- Searing Secrets: Brown chicken pieces quickly in hot oil to develop deep flavor caramelization before slow cooking, which prevents the meat from becoming bland or mushy during long cooking process.
- Sauce Balance Matters: Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly to create a harmonious blend of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors that perfectly complement the chicken’s richness.
- Meal Prep Magic: Can be easily adapted for meal prep by storing in airtight containers for up to 4 days, and reheating gently to maintain tender chicken texture and vibrant sauce flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg