Discover the ultimate easy, dump-and-go Crockpot Orange Chicken and Broccoli dinner recipe that’s guaranteed to become a quick family favorite! With only about 10 minutes of hands-on prep time, this delightful slow cooker meal is bursting with vibrant citrus flavor, packed with wholesome vegetables, and stands out as the perfect fuss-free solution for any busy weeknight.
There’s something incredibly appealing about the bright, zesty notes of citrus paired with tender chicken, and it’s always a resounding hit in my household. My Baked Orange Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner has held its esteemed place as a beloved family recipe for nearly a decade. Yet, this slow cooker orange chicken with broccoli might just have surpassed it as the new top contender for the easiest and most delicious weeknight meal.
It’s unbelievably simple to prepare and delivers an explosion of sweet orange flavor balanced with a hint of spice. This dish is truly a culinary delight! If you enjoy this recipe, you might also love our Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken for another fantastic fruity chicken experience.
Slow cooker recipes are invaluable throughout the entire year, offering convenience and delicious results with minimal effort. If you’re looking for more beloved slow cooker dishes, be sure to explore these other family favorites: Crockpot Chuck Roast, Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta, BBQ Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs, or this comforting Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup.
Why You Will Love This Crockpot Orange Chicken and Broccoli
This Crockpot Orange Chicken and Broccoli isn’t just another dinner recipe; it’s a game-changer for busy households and anyone looking for maximum flavor with minimal fuss. Here’s why it’s destined to become a staple in your meal rotation:
- Effortless “Dump and Go” Preparation: This recipe truly lives up to its “dump and go” reputation. Simply combine your ingredients in the slow cooker, set it, and forget it! The active prep time is incredibly short, allowing you to focus on other tasks while dinner cooks itself. It’s the ultimate easy dinner recipe.
- A Flavorful Escape from the Ordinary: Tired of the same old chicken dinners? This orange chicken offers a delightful change of pace. The vibrant, sweet, and savory orange sauce elevates simple chicken and broccoli into an exciting culinary experience, far from boring.
- Convenient Freezer-Friendly Meal: Prepare a larger batch and easily freeze portions for future meals. This makes it a fantastic option for meal prepping, ensuring you always have a delicious, homemade dinner ready on those extra hectic evenings.
- Perfect for Varied Schedules: Whether your family eats together or in shifts, this slow cooker meal is ideal. It stays warm and flavorful in the crockpot for an extended period, accommodating different dinner times without compromising taste or texture.
- Incredibly Versatile for Customization: This recipe is a fantastic canvas for your culinary creativity. Easily adapt it by swapping out vegetables, adjusting the spice level to your preference, or even changing the type of chicken. It’s designed to fit your family’s tastes and what you have on hand.
Ingredient Notes for Perfect Orange Chicken
To ensure your Crockpot Orange Chicken and Broccoli turns out perfectly every time, here are some detailed notes on key ingredients and potential adjustments:
- Choosing Your Chicken: We typically opt for skinless, boneless chicken breasts in this recipe for their lean protein content and quick cooking time. However, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are an excellent alternative. Chicken thighs tend to be more forgiving, with a lower risk of becoming overcooked or dry due to their higher fat content, which can be a definite bonus for slow cooking. While I generally use chicken breast due to family preferences, feel free to choose the cut that best suits your taste.
- Balancing the Sweetness: This recipe offers a wonderfully sweet flavor profile, much of which comes from the natural sugars in the orange juice and marmalade. If you prefer to reduce the overall sugar content, you have a couple of options: you can entirely omit the honey, or select an orange marmalade with a lower sugar concentration. Adjust to your personal dietary needs and taste preferences.
- Selecting Orange Marmalade: The quality and flavor of your orange marmalade can significantly impact the final taste of the dish. Some marmalades can have a slightly bitter undertone, which can be delightful for some palates. However, if you’re not a fan of bitterness, make sure to choose a brand known for its sweet and bright citrus flavor. A quick taste test before adding it to your sauce can help you ensure it’s just right for your recipe.
- Cornstarch for Texture: The cornstarch plays a crucial role in coating the chicken, not only helping to thicken the sauce but also creating a protective layer that locks in moisture, resulting in incredibly tender chicken. Don’t skip this step!
- Freshness is Key for Citrus: While bottled orange juice can be used, freshly squeezed orange juice and zest will yield the most vibrant and authentic orange flavor, truly making this dish shine.
Exciting Recipe Variations to Try
One of the best aspects of this Crockpot Orange Chicken is its adaptability. Feel free to get creative and customize it to suit your family’s preferences and what you have on hand. Here are some fantastic ways to vary the recipe:
- Vary the Veggies for More Color and Nutrition: While broccoli is a classic choice and cooks beautifully in the slow cooker, you can easily swap it out or add other frozen vegetables. Consider incorporating frozen peas, sliced carrots, snap peas, bell pepper strips, or even shelled edamame (mukimame) for added texture, color, and nutritional boost. You can omit the broccoli entirely if desired, but we love the combination!
- Kick Up the Heat for a Spicy Twist: If you enjoy a bit of a kick, it’s simple to add more heat to this dish. Stir in some sriracha sauce directly into the orange sauce mixture, or sprinkle in extra crushed red pepper flakes to taste. Start with a small amount and add more until you reach your desired spice level. A dash of chili oil could also work!
- Experiment with Different Meats: As mentioned in our ingredient notes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are an excellent substitute for chicken breast. Their higher fat content makes them very forgiving and less prone to drying out in the slow cooker, often resulting in an even more succulent dish. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even try this recipe with pork shoulder, thinly sliced and slow-cooked for a different protein option.
- Add a Nutty Crunch: For an extra layer of flavor and crunch, consider garnishing the finished dish with toasted cashews or peanuts alongside the sesame seeds.
- Sweetness Adjustment: If you prefer a less sweet profile, reduce the amount of honey or orange marmalade. Conversely, for a sweeter sauce, a little extra honey can be added.
Step-By-Step Instructions for Crockpot Orange Chicken
Creating this delicious Crockpot Orange Chicken and Broccoli is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect weeknight meal:
Step 1: Prepare the Orange Sauce. In a small mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients designated for the orange sauce. This includes soy sauce, rice vinegar, freshly squeezed orange juice, orange zest, orange marmalade, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, minced ginger, and crushed red pepper.
Step 2: Whisk the Sauce. Whisk the sauce ingredients together thoroughly until they are well combined and smooth. Ensure the marmalade is fully incorporated. Once mixed, set the bowl aside while you prepare the chicken.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken. Place the cubed chicken breast pieces into a gallon-sized plastic ziplock bag. Add the salt, pepper, and cornstarch. Seal the bag and toss vigorously to ensure the chicken pieces are evenly coated on all sides. For an even distribution of salt and pepper, you can whisk them with the cornstarch first before adding to the chicken.
Step 4: Layer in the Slow Cooker. Lightly spray the bottom and sides of your slow cooker pot with cooking oil to prevent sticking. Pour about 1/4 cup of the prepared orange sauce into the bottom and spread it out evenly. Then, carefully arrange the cornstarch-coated chicken pieces in a single layer over the sauce.
Step 5: Add Remaining Sauce. Pour the rest of the orange sauce evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. It’s perfectly fine if the chicken pieces are not completely submerged in the sauce; they will cook beautifully in the aromatic liquid.
Step 6: Slow Cook the Chicken. Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Set the heat to LOW and cook for approximately 2 to 4 hours*. Cooking time can vary depending on your slow cooker model. The chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). We strongly recommend cooking on low heat to prevent the chicken from drying out.
Step 7: Add Broccoli and Finish Cooking. Once the chicken is cooked through, add the package of frozen broccoli florets to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine the broccoli with the chicken and sauce. Continue cooking on LOW for another 30 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender-crisp and cooked to your liking. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Step 8: Serve and Garnish. Once the broccoli is cooked, switch your slow cooker to the “Warm” setting until you are ready to serve. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Serve your delicious Crockpot Orange Chicken and Broccoli hot over a bed of fluffy white rice. For an extra touch of freshness and visual appeal, garnish generously with chopped green onions, a sprinkle of extra orange zest, and toasted sesame seeds.
Expert Recipe Tips for Success
Achieving perfectly tender and flavorful Crockpot Orange Chicken is easy with a few key tips:
- Know Your Slow Cooker: All slow cookers vary slightly in their cooking times and temperatures. My particular model often cooks the chicken to perfection right around the 2-hour mark, or slightly over. Other slow cookers might take a bit longer. It’s always best to check the chicken’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer starting at the 1.5-hour mark. While there’s a small window of flexibility, overcooking chicken breast can lead to dryness, so adjust your cooking time accordingly.
- The Magic of Cornstarch Coating: The cornstarch coating on the chicken pieces is not just for thickening the sauce; it’s a crucial step that helps lock in moisture, ensuring the chicken remains incredibly tender and juicy throughout the slow cooking process. This barrier prevents the chicken from drying out.
- Searing for Extra Texture (Optional): If you prefer a slightly crispier texture on your chicken, you can quickly sear the cornstarch-coated chicken pieces in a hot skillet with a little oil before adding them to the crockpot. This step adds an extra layer of flavor and texture, but remember that if you do this, you might need to slightly adjust the slow cooking time as the chicken will already have some initial cook on it.
- Always Cook on Low Heat: For this particular recipe, we highly recommend cooking the Crockpot Orange Chicken and Broccoli exclusively on the LOW heat setting. Chicken breast is more susceptible to drying out or becoming tough when cooked on high heat in a slow cooker. The low setting allows for gentle, even cooking, resulting in consistently tender and moist chicken.
- Uniform Chicken Pieces: Cutting your chicken into uniform 1 ½ inch pieces ensures that all the chicken cooks evenly at the same rate. This prevents some pieces from being overcooked while others are still catching up.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
This Crockpot Orange Chicken and Broccoli is fantastic for meal prep or enjoying as leftovers. Store any remaining portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for approximately 3-4 days. For longer storage, this recipe freezes exceptionally well. Allow the dish to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to a freezer-safe container or freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then gently warm on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.
Explore More Delicious Crockpot Recipes
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Simple Slow Cooker BBQ Shredded Chicken
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Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta
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Crockpot Orange Chicken and Broccoli
Equipment
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Crockpot (6 qt.)
Ingredients
Orange Sauce
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
- ¾ c freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2-3 Tbsp orange zest, use 3 Tbsp if you want extra strong orange flavor
- ⅔ c orange marmalade
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 inch ginger, peeled and minced
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper, more or less to taste
Other Ingredients
- 2 lb boneless skinless chicken breast , cut into 1 ½ inch pieces
- ⅓ c cornstarch
- ½ tsp salt and pepper, (each)
- 1 package frozen broccoli florets , approx. 12 oz. bag
Instructions
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Add all of the orange sauce ingredients to a small bowl and whisk well to combine. Set aside.
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Add the cubed chicken to a gallon sized plastic ziplock bag. Add the salt pepper and cornstarch and toss well to evenly coat the chicken on all sides. (You can whisk the cornstarch, salt and pepper together first for more even distribution of salt and pepper if desired.)
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Spray the bottom and sides of slow cooker pot lightly with oil and add about 1/4 cup of the orange sauce to the bottom of the crockpot and spread it out evenly. Add the chicken over top of the sauce. Pour remaining sauce over top of the chicken to cover. It’s ok if the chicken is not 100% submerged into the sauce.
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Set to LOW HEAT and cook for about 2-4 hours* or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Add in the frozen broccoli and cook on low another 30 minutes or until the broccoli is cooked through, stirring occasionally. Set to warm until ready to serve.
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Serve over rice and top with chopped green onions, extra orange zest and sesame seeds.
Notes
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for about 3-4 days in the refrigerator. This recipe freezes well. Allow it to cool completely and then transfer to a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
All crockpots cook a bit differently. Mine will usually cook this chicken right at the 2 hour mark or just over it. Others will take a bit longer. You have a little wiggle room with the chicken, but if it cooks too long it can dry out. Check in at the 1 1/2 hour mark and adjust accordingly.
The cornstarch coating locks in moisture and keeps the chicken nice and tender. You could sear the chicken a touch before adding to the crockpot as well for a crispier texture, but cooking time will have to be adjusted if doing so.
I do not recommend cooking this crockpot orange chicken and broccoli on high setting. Chicken breast is more likely to dry out or become overcooked on high heat so it’s ideal to cook on low.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question?Leave a comment below!