Crock Pot Orange-y Chicken

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This is a takeout fake out! If you are craving Chinese inspired cuisine, try this easy and simple Crock Pot Orange-y Chicken cooked with broccoli. We love this served over a big bed of rice for a delicious dinner you won’t believe came from a crock pot.

Updated: September 1, 2025

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Skip the takeout and make this easy Crock Pot Orange Chicken with Broccoli at home! Tender chicken slow cooks in a sweet, tangy orangey BBQ sauce and gets finished with crisp broccoli for a healthier, family-friendly dinner. Serve it over rice for a simple, flavorful meal everyone will love.

What you’ll need

You can find the full, printable recipe with exact measurements at the bottom of this post. Read on for more details and tips!

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• 6-8 Quart size Slow Cooker
• Chicken breast or thighs
• Orange marmalade – you can get this in a jar in the jams and jellies aisle
• BBQ sauce – your favorite brand!
• Cornstarch- to thicken the sauce
• Seasonings- salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic cloves
• Sesame oil
• Honey- just a touch for sweetness
• Soy sauce
• Frozen broccoli
• Rice, sesame seeds, and sliced green onions for serving

How to make it

Prep the crock pot: Spray the crock pot with nonstick cooking spray or oil.

Make the chicken: In a bowl, add the chicken, salt, onion powder, pepper, and cornstarch. Toss to coat the chicken. Place the chicken into the crock pot.

Prepare the sauce: In a separate bowl whisk together the orange marmalade, BBQ sauce, garlic, sesame oil, honey, and soy sauce. Pour the mixture over the chicken.

Cook it: Cover and cook on low 5 hours or high for 2 1/2 hours. (add 1 hour to the cook time if using chicken thighs)

Add the broccoli: Fifteen minutes before the chicken is finished, add the broccoli into the crock pot. Cover and continue cooking. At this time get the rice and garnishes ready.

Serve: Turn off the crock pot. Divide the rice between 4 bowls. Spoon the orange chicken and broccoli over top the rice. Garnish each bowl with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for a pop of color, dig in, and enjoy!

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FAQ’s

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe and stay extra juicy after slow cooking. Just trim any excess fat before adding to the crock pot. Add an extra 1 hour of cook time for thighs.

Do I need to cook the broccoli first?

Nope — just add it toward the end of cooking so it stays crisp-tender. If you add it too early, it can get mushy. Frozen broccoli only needs 15-20 minutes to cook. If you are using fresh broccoli florets, add it 40 minutes to 1 hour before the chicken is finished cooking.

Can I make this with frozen chicken?

For food safety reasons, it’s best to thaw chicken before adding it to the slow cooker. Frozen chicken doesn’t heat up quickly enough in the crock pot and may stay at unsafe temperatures too long.

How do I thicken the sauce?

Because the chicken is coated in flour before cooking, the sauce is already thick then it’s finished. If you want a thicker sauce, whisk together 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water. Stir this slurry into the sauce during the last 15 minutes of cooking.

What’s the best way to serve orange chicken?

This dish is delicious over steamed white rice, brown rice, or even noodles. For a lighter option, try serving it over cauliflower rice or with a side of stir-fried veggies.

Can I freeze orange chicken?

Yes! You can freeze the cooked chicken and sauce (without broccoli) in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Add fresh broccoli when reheating for the best texture.

Try these next

• Mississippi Pot Roast
• Buttery Beef and Potatoes
• Beef Ragu
• Beef and Broccoli
• Cheddar Chicken Broccoli Casserole
• Hasselback Gouda Chicken and Apples
• Sheet Pan Italian Chicken
• Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
• Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken

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Crock Pot Orange-y Chicken

Craving Chinese inspired cuisine? Try this easy and simple Crock Pot Orange-y Chicken with broccoli. We love this served over a big bed of rice for a delicious dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook Time 5 hours hrs

Total Time 5 hours hrs

Servings: 6 servings

Equipment

• crock pot 6 quart size or larger

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  

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• ▢ 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast (or thighs), cut into pieces
• ▢ 1/3 cup cornstarch
• ▢ 1 tsp salt
• ▢ ½ tsp onion powder
• ▢ ¼ tsp black pepper
• ▢ 1 cup orange marmalade find this in the jam/jellies aisle
• ▢ 1 cup BBQ sauce
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 2 tsp sesame oil
• ▢ 1 tbsp honey
• ▢ 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
• ▢ 12- ounce bag frozen broccoli
• ▢ White or Jasmine rice for serving
• ▢ Sesame seeds and sliced green onion for garnish

Method

 

1. Spray the crock pot with nonstick cooking spray or oil.
2. In a bowl, add the chicken, salt, onion powder, pepper, and cornstarch. Toss to coat the chicken. Place the chicken into the crock pot.
3. In a separate bowl whisk together the orange marmalade, BBQ sauce, garlic, sesame oil, honey, and soy sauce. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
4. Cover and cook on low 5 hours or high for 2 1/2 hours. (add 1 hour to the cook time if using chicken thighs)
5. Fifteen minutes before the chicken is finished, add the broccoli into the crock pot. Cover and continue cooking. Pop the rice into the microwave and cook according to package instructions.
6. Turn off the crock pot. Divide the rice between 4 bowls. Spoon the orange chicken and broccoli over top the rice. Garnish each bowl with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for a pop of color, dig in and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 465kcalCarbohydrates: 69gProtein: 36gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 1614mgPotassium: 928mgFiber: 3gSugar: 52gVitamin A: 539IUVitamin C: 56mgCalcium: 78mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe and stay extra juicy after slow cooking. Just trim any excess fat before adding to the crock pot. Add 1 hour cook time for thighs.

Do I need to cook the broccoli first?
Nope — just add it 15 minutes before the end of cooking,  so it stays crisp-tender. If you add it too early, it can get mushy. If using fresh broccoli, add it 40 minutes before the end of cooking.

Can I make this with frozen chicken?
For food safety reasons, it’s best to thaw chicken before adding it to the slow cooker. Frozen chicken doesn’t heat up quickly enough in the crock pot and may stay at unsafe temperatures too long.

Can I freeze orange chicken?
Yes! You can freeze the cooked chicken and sauce (without broccoli) in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Add fresh broccoli when reheating for the best texture.

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