Slow-Cooker Orange Chicken

4.7 from 9 votes
(Click the stars to vote)
A red circle with the letters GF

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Forget takeout! Make healthy Crockpot Orange Chicken right in your slow cooker. It’s an Asian-inspired paleo recipe with sweet, tangy flavors that you can serve over cauliflower rice. Not paleo? Serve it over white or brown rice and it’s still gluten free. You can also prepare it in your Instant Pot.

Crockpot Orange Chicken – An Asian Slow Cooker Recipe

 

I have a gripe with a lot of the slow cooker recipes and especially slow cooker cookbooks that I’ve seen over the years. So many just involve adding some sort of meat, then a packet of this, a jar of that, a can of cream of whatever. I totally get that sometimes people need the super fast convenience of recipes like that.

But I don’t see why the crockpot can’t be used to make healthy, gluten free recipes with fresh, wholesome ingredients. That’s why I am in love with The Big Book of Paleo Slow Cooking by Natalie Perry of Perry’s Plate, and this crock pot orange chicken recipe from that cookbook.

Before you get ready to click away because you don’t follow a paleo diet, just wait. This recipe is totally still for you. While there are a couple of steps more than your usual dump-and-go crockpot chicken recipe, it is still quite easy. And the fresh flavors are unmatched.

You can keep it paleo by serving it over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles, it is certainly also delicious over brown or white rice. That’s why I love a meal like this – it is so easy to make gluten free, but can be served to those who are grain-free and dairy-free, as well. Just switch up the sides to ensure you meet the needs and preferences of everyone around the table.

Chunks of orange chicken over cauliflower rice in a white oval dish with red chopsticks resting on it.

Ingredients

Let’s see the healthy ingredients used to make this crockpot orange chicken. Remember, the full quantities are in the recipe card, so keep reading and scrolling.

  • Boneless skinless chicken. You can use breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Salt and pepper.
  • Onion. Thinly sliced
  • Garlic. Mince the cloves with a knife or garlic press.
  • Ginger. Fresh is best in this recipe. 
  • Oranges. You’ll need the zest and juice.
  • Lemon. Only the juice.
  • Crushed red pepper flakes. Use more or less, depending on how spicy you like it.
  • Honey. You can also use maple syrup.
  • Coconut aminos. This is a paleo alternative to soy sauce. More information and substitutions are below.
  • Tapioca flour. Also known as tapioca starch. For thickening the sauce. More information and substitutions are below.
  • Toasted sesame seeds. For garnish. You can buy them already toasted or toss them in a skillet over medium heat until golden and giving off a nutty aroma.

How to Make Crockpot Orange Sesame Chicken

Slow Cook the Chicken. Place the chicken in a 4-quart slow cooker and season with salt. Then stir in the onions, garlic, ginger, orange zest, lemon juice, sesame oil, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until this chicken is tender.

Make the Sauce. Remove the chicken and keep it warm. Transfer the liquid from the slow cooker to a skillet and add the remaining ingredients. Whisk in the tapioca flour until no lumps remain. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer till thickened.

Combine and Rewarm. Combine the chicken and sauce in the slow cooker and reheat on high for 10-15 minutes, if needed.

Serve and Enjoy. Serve the chicken over cauliflower rice, rice, zoodles, or noodles, and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Paleo Orange Sesame Chicken in an oval dish with red chopsticks resting on it on a tan placemat with a green cloth napkin behind it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of slow cooker do I need?

I’ve been using a large 6-quart slow cooker for years. It’s got fancy timers and thermometers and such, which is perfect when I’m making a big batch of the World’s Best Chili or this Lemon Herb Slow Cooker Roast Chicken. However, when I was making just dinner for four, it was cooking too fast or overcooking. So I spent just a few dollars and got a little 4-quart slow cooker and it’s perfect for this recipe.

Can I make it in an Instant Pot?

Yes, it’s easy to turn this into an Instant Pot orange chicken recipe. You’ll just cook it on the Manual setting for 15 minutes, then use the Quick Release feature to release the pressure. After removing the chicken, leave the cooking juices in the pot and prepare the sauce right in the pressure cooker on Saute. Turn it off and return the chicken and vegetables to the pot. Stir until heated through.

What are Coconut Aminos? What can I substitute for Coconut Aminos?

Coconut aminos is a paleo substitute for soy sauce or tamari, but it is made from the sap of the coconut plant instead of soy. It is also a thin, dark liquid with an umami flavor, but it is less potent.

If you aren’t paleo and have trouble finding it, you could substitute soy sauce or tamari (gluten free, if needed), but only use half the amount. It is now available in many regular grocery stores, but you can also order it from Amazon.

What is tapioca starch? What can I substitute for tapioca starch?

Tapioca flour or tapioca starch is a grain free thickener, which is often used in a similar fashion as corn starch in non-paleo cooking. If you aren’t paleo, you can use corn starch, typically half the quantity. You can also use arrowroot as a substitute for tapioca starch.

Closeup of orange chicken over cauliflower rice garnished with sesame seeds and scallions.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for two to three days. You can even freeze it for up to two months, so feel free to make a double batch.

Reheat it in the microwave until it is steaming hot. Or put it in a skillet on the stove over medium heat, and cover until it is warmed through. If it needs a little extra moisture, you can add a little chicken broth.

Orange Sesame Chicken in a white dish over a bed of cauliflower rice on a tan placemat with red chopsticks to the side.

About The Big Book of Paleo Slow Cooking

Whether you are well-versed in the paleo diet, just want to try something new, or are just looking for healthier gluten free meals you can make in the crockpot, I definitely recommend picking up a copy of The Big Book of Paleo Slow Cooking. It is one of the best cookbooks in my collection and has become a staple for me. I’m sure it will for you too.

Natalie brings you around the globe plus reinvents classic American comfort food in a straightforward and wholesome way packed with fresh ingredients and amazing flavors. And if you prefer to use your Instant Pot, Natalie, the author, put together a FREE conversion chart for each and every recipe in the book. So you can decide whether you want to let it slow cook all day or have dinner in a flash when you get home.

Orange sesame chicken over cauliflower rice in a white oval dish with a pair of red chopsticks resting on it.

More healthy crockpot recipes

Chunks of orange chicken over cauliflower rice in a white oval dish with red chopsticks resting on it.
4.7 from 9 votes

Healthy Crockpot Orange Chicken

Forget takeout! Make healthy Crockpot Orange Chicken right in your slow cooker. It's an Asian-inspired paleo recipe with sweet, tangy flavors that you can serve over cauliflower rice. Not paleo? Serve it over white or brown rice and it's still gluten free. You can also prepare it in your Instant Pot.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 6 hours 20 minutes
Total: 12 hours 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 pounds skinless boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
  • 1/2 medium onion thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1- inch knob of fresh ginger minced or grated
  • 2 oranges zest and juice
  • Juice from 1 large lemon
  • 2 Tablespoons sesame oil divided
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes can add more if you would like it spicier
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup coconut aminos
  • 2 Tablespoons tapioca flour
  • 1 Tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
  • Cauliflower Rice for serving

Instructions

  • *See Note for Instant Pot preparation
  •  Place the chicken in a 4-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle with salt and toss to coat evenly.
  • Add the onions, garlic, ginger, 2 teaspoons of the orange zest, half of the lemon juice, 1 Tablespoon of the sesame oil, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, and stir.
  • Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until this chicken is tender.
  • Remove the chicken from the slow cooker with a slotted spoon or tongs, or drain the slow cooker through a mesh strainer, reserving the liquid. Return the chicken to the slow cooker to keep warm.
  • Transfer the liquid to a skillet, and add the honey, coconut aminos, the remaining orange zest, juice from both oranges, the remaining lemon juice, and 1 Tablespoon sesame oil. Whisk in the tapioca flour until no lumps remain.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium and boil for about 15 minutes, or until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Adjust to taste with more honey or salt, if desired.
  • Pout the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker, and if needed, cook on high for 10-15 minutes to warm it up.
  • Serve the chicken over cauliflower rice and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Notes

Recipe from The Big Book of Paleo Slow Cooking by Natalie Perry
In order to prepare in an Instant Pot, cook on the Manual setting for 15 minutes, then use the Quick Release feature to release the pressure. Then after removing the chicken, just leave the cooking juices in the pot, add the remaining ingredients in step 5, and use the high saute to cook until thickened. Turn off and return the chicken and vegetables to the pot. Stir until heated through.

Categories:

9 Comments
  1. Crystal

    I’m on Pinterest today, and this recipe looks amazing. However, I just can’t get through the distraction of all the ads to give it my full attention. More so, I can’t truly admire your web design because the ads just take away all the beauty of it. I’m really perplexed because every single blog I’ve been on today, via Pinterest, has been just like this. I remember a time when blogs were beautiful and, well, just blogs. I really wish I could use your hard work as we have just done a major overhaul of our diet, but I can’t focus long enough for having to “X” out so many things. 🙁

    1. In order to provide you with free recipes, I, like everyone else who owns a website and a small business, have to pay for web hosting, supplies (in my case, ingredients and everything else needed for cooking), photography and videography equipment, and a ton of other expenses, plus make an income in order to keep doing this. That is why we run ads on our site. Otherwise, most food blogs would no longer exist. If scrolling past the ads (plus plenty of useful information) is difficult, you’ll notice I have a Jump to Recipe button at the top of each post that will bring you right to the recipe.

  2. 20 of the Best Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes to Make Your Life Easier – Happy

    […] for a paleo recipe? Skip the takeout and make Slow Cooker Orange Sesame Chicken and serve it over cauliflower […]

  3. QUESTION! How do you cook the chicken in the instant pot? The Instant pot needs a cup of thin liquid to work, but I don’t see that listed here. Thanks!

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




I accept the Privacy Policy