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Healthy Crockpot Orange Chicken

March 18, 2013 · by Ari ·

Healthy Crockpot Orange Chicken #glutenfree

I thought I hated Chinese food. Like, the other night we had to go out for Chinese food for my brother’s birthday, and I was all bent out of shape about it. I told Steve that I hate Chinese food, and I was going to eat at home first. I’m a really pleasant human sometimes.

Healthy Crockpot Orange Chicken #glutenfree

I guess it’s kinda like how I thought I hated Thai food. And vegetables. And tomatoes. I just decide I have an opinion about something, and I get all kinds of grumpy about it. In fact, sometimes I get worried that I am well on my way to becoming one of those grumpy old people.

Healthy Crockpot Orange Chicken #glutenfree

As if aging isn’t bad enough, does grumpiness, and that whole being set in your ways business really have to come with it??? And while we’re on the subject, does anyone else absolutely freak out over the fact that the older we get, the closer we are to our lives ending without having the chance to do all the cool things we want to do?????

Healthy Crockpot Orange Chicken #glutenfree

I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s come over me. Too much real world. I need to go back to vacation. Sigh… Anyway, let’s stop talking about  things that are depressing, and instead focus on my favorite subject. No, not me. Okay, my second  favorite. 😉

Healthy Crockpot Orange Chicken #glutenfree

I knew I was going somewhere with the whole Chinese food business. Turns out it’s delicious. I mean, orange chicken is about as Americanized as you get. It’s almost like calling Domino’s pizza Italian, but whatever. It’s delicious. And usually deep fried, and overly sticky sweet. I don’t like that kind of orange chicken. The kind you get at Panda Express? Ew, gross. I used to, but not the grease and stickiness make my mouth feel funny.

Healthy Crockpot Orange Chicken #glutenfree

This orange chicken is sweetened with real orange juice and honey for a true orange flavor. It’s coated in flour, then browned on the stove top so that it can hold on to all of the delicious juice, then transfered to the crockpot where it cooks the rest of the way while you go about your day.

Healthy Crockpot Orange Chicken #glutenfree

The flavors are bold and satisfying. It’s what you would imagine orange chicken to taste like if you had never tried the sticky fried version. So if you’re a lover of the Panda Express kind, it won’t be an exact match, but I promise you will still love it!

 

Healthy Crockpot Orange Chicken

adapted from Team T Adventures via Six Sisters Stuff

yield approx 6 servings

  • 1-2 tsp coconut oil
  •  3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 3 tbsp whole grain flour of choice (whole wheat, brown rice, etc.)
  • 4 large oranges
  • 1 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tbsp low sugar ketchup
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tsp sriracha (optional, but recommended)
  • brown rice and steamed broccoli for serving (optional)

Directions:

  1.  Heat coconut oil in a large pan over medium heat. Place flour in a large shallow bowl. Dredge cubed chicken in flour to coat then transfer to cooking pan. Brown chicken, then remove from heat. Don’t worry about fully cooking chicken–it will finish in the crock post. You want it just browned.
  2. In a medium bowl, zest 2 oranges, then juice all 4. Add vinegar, ketchup, honey, and sriracha. Whisk together to combine.
  3. Transfer cooked chicken and sauce to crockpot, and cook on low for 4:30-5 hours.
  4. To serve, place cooked chicken on top of brown rice (or just on your plate), then spoon over an extra 1/4 cup or so of sauce–trust me, you’ll want extra! Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Filed Under: Entree, Gluten-free, Slow Cooker · Tagged: chicken, chinese, dinner, gluten free, orange, orange chicken, recipe

Comments

  1. Linz @ Itz Linz says

    March 18, 2013 at 7:57 am

    i really like orange chicken but never order it because itz so unhealthy!! i’ve got to try this!!

  2. sally @ sallys baking addiction says

    March 18, 2013 at 8:19 am

    how perfect – i have a new crockpot to break in. 🙂 I love orange chicken Ari!

  3. Martha says

    March 18, 2013 at 3:13 pm

    Oh my goodness! This looks so delicious and it’s gorgeous to boot! I’m adding this to my menu mapping next week for sure! Thanks for sharing!!

  4. aimee @ shugarysweets says

    March 18, 2013 at 6:00 pm

    YUM. I love orange chicken, but I really love this healthy version. THANKS!!

  5. Kierston @candyfit says

    March 18, 2013 at 8:21 pm

    Looks tasty!!

    Love sriracha sauce 🙂

  6. Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says

    March 22, 2013 at 7:08 pm

    I have to try this. So hard to find meals that appeal to my husband, myself, and our 2 kids. Think this might be one! Love using my crockpot! No worries about dried out meat.

  7. nikki says

    March 24, 2013 at 9:45 pm

    i have a question… out of curiosity, why does the chicken need to be browned on the stovetop first? ive seen this on other recipes as well and havent figured out why yet. thanks!

  8. Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says

    March 27, 2013 at 9:45 am

    I love that you made a healthy version of orange chicken! I love to order it but hate the calories and sugar.

    P.s. I have the same plates as you!! I got them for our wedding – love them 🙂

  9. Katie says

    April 28, 2013 at 1:26 pm

    Hi, I don’t have ketchup and never use it. Seeing as the recipe only calls for 3 tbsp do you think it would make a big difference to not include it? Or is there something else I can use as a substitute? Thanks

  10. Linda Murdock says

    October 13, 2014 at 11:58 am

    Please make it easier to print your recipes without wasting so much paper.

    • Lisa says

      November 1, 2014 at 7:45 am

      I agree. I also don’t need all the story telling…just the recipe.

      • Ari says

        November 5, 2014 at 9:20 pm

        Thanks for the feedback, Lisa. This is my personal blog and I am providing you with free recipes. If my story telling is bothersome to you, please feel free to scroll to the bottom–it’s really quite easy!

  11. Diane says

    January 19, 2015 at 7:32 pm

    This was absolutely amazing!! So yummy. Thank you!!

    • Ari says

      January 27, 2015 at 7:41 am

      So great to hear, Diane! Glad you enjoyed it!

  12. Priscilla says

    September 6, 2015 at 11:40 am

    This is absolutely delicious!! I did tweek the recipe and finally perfected if! I use the 4 juiced oranges and zest 2 of them but DOUBLE everything else and use about 2 pounds of chicken. It was too “orangey” for me and my family with the original recipe but the base is PERFECT! I also like mine a little thicker so I add cornstarch at the end to make it the consistency I like. I applaud this recipe!!

    • Ari says

      September 8, 2015 at 7:19 am

      So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks Priscilla!

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