Why You’ll Love this Sweet and Zesty Orange Chicken
If you’re searching for a meal that brings together the perfect balance of sweetness and citrus zing, I’ve got just the recipe for you.
This orange chicken, slowly simmered in a crockpot, practically cooks itself while you go about your day.
What makes it special? The combination of orange juice concentrate with subtle ginger creates a flavor that’s both familiar and surprising.
The coconut and mandarin orange topping adds texture and freshness that elevates this dish beyond ordinary chicken recipes.
Perfect for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings. No complicated techniques required.
What Ingredients are in Sweet and Zesty Orange Chicken?
This crockpot orange chicken recipe relies on simple ingredients that work together to create something truly magical. The concentrated orange juice forms the foundation of the flavor profile, while ginger adds that perfect hint of warmth and complexity. What I love most about this recipe is how it transforms everyday ingredients into something that tastes like you spent hours perfecting it, when really, your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting.
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut
- 2 cups mandarin orange segments (fresh or canned)
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Rice for serving
When shopping for ingredients, quality matters in a few key areas. Try to find chicken that’s uniform in thickness so it cooks evenly. For the mandarin oranges, both canned and fresh work beautifully, so choose based on what’s available or convenient. And don’t skip the green onions at the end—they provide that perfect hint of sharpness that balances the sweetness of the oranges and coconut. Speaking of coconut, unsweetened works best here since the orange juice concentrate already brings plenty of sweetness to the dish.
How to Make this Sweet and Zesty Orange Chicken
Making this crock pot orange chicken couldn’t be simpler, which is exactly what I need on busy weeknights. Start by placing your 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the slow cooker, then sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon ginger, 1 teaspoon salt, and a few grinds of pepper.
Pour the 8 ounces of frozen orange juice concentrate right over the top—no need to thaw it first! The concentrate will slowly melt as it cooks, creating the most incredible sweet and tangy sauce that infuses the chicken with flavor.
Now comes the truly magical part—just set your crock pot to low and let it work its slow-cooking wizardry for 6 hours. During this time, the chicken becomes incredibly tender while absorbing all those bright orange flavors. The house will smell amazing, trust me.
When the cooking time is up, prepare a bed of hot rice on a serving platter and arrange the chicken pieces on top. For the finishing touches that really elevate this dish, sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups of shredded coconut, scatter 2 cups of mandarin orange segments throughout, and garnish with 2 chopped green onions.
The contrast of textures and colors makes this dish as beautiful as it’s delicious. Want to take it over the top? Serve the cooking liquid on the side in a gravy boat—it makes a wonderful sauce that you’ll want to drizzle over everything.
Sweet and Zesty Orange Chicken Substitutions and Variations
While the original orange chicken recipe is delicious as written, you can easily adapt it to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs with a few simple swaps.
Try using chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier result. Not a fan of coconut? Simply omit it or replace with toasted almonds.
You could swap the mandarin oranges for fresh orange segments, which I find gives a brighter flavor. For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce.
Need a lower-sugar option? Use half the orange concentrate and add fresh orange zest.
What to Serve with Sweet and Zesty Orange Chicken
Once you’ve prepared this delectable orange chicken, you’ll need some equally delightful sides to complete your meal.
I always serve mine atop a bed of fluffy white rice, which soaks up that amazing orange sauce perfectly. The recipe suggests rice as a base, and I couldn’t agree more.
For vegetables, I recommend steamed broccoli or sugar snap peas—their crispness balances the sweet chicken beautifully.
Want something invigorating? A simple Asian cucumber salad adds a cool contrast.
Remember those green onions in the recipe? They add the perfect finishing touch, don’t they? Talk about a complete flavor experience.
Final Thoughts
After trying this orange chicken recipe in my crock pot, I’m confident it’ll become a staple in your dinner rotation.
The bright citrus flavors paired with tender chicken create a meal that’s both comforting and invigorating—perfect for those nights when you want something special without fussing in the kitchen.
What I love most about this dish is its versatility. You can adjust the ginger for more kick or add extra coconut for sweetness.
And those mandarin oranges? They add the perfect juicy pop of flavor. Remember, good cooking isn’t about perfection, it’s about making food that brings people together.
Sweet and Zesty Orange Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle chicken with ginger, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the frozen orange juice concentrate over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, until chicken is tender.
- Prepare a bed of hot rice on a serving platter.
- Arrange the cooked chicken pieces on top of the rice.
- Sprinkle with shredded coconut and scatter mandarin orange segments throughout.
- Garnish with chopped green onions.
- Optional: Serve the cooking liquid on the side as a sauce.
