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Elevate your dinner with this single serve Mini Slow Cooker Orange Chicken recipe, a healthier twist on classic takeout. Enjoy succulent, boneless chicken thighs on a bed of sliced onions, drenched in a vibrant sauce of orange preserves, fresh orange juice, ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. This breading-free dish highlights the rich, tangy flavors and is ideal for effortless cooking – just set it in your slow cooker and relax.
Looking for more single serving mini slow cooker recipes? You’ll love our Ropa Vieja, Chicken Burrito Bowl, and Meatloaf recipes! Each of these slow cooker recipes for one are cooked in a small slow cooker – the ideal size for those cooking for one.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Mini Crockpot Orange Chicken Recipe
- Ingredients
- Recipe Variations
- How To Make Orange Chicken
- Expert Tips
- What To Serve With Orange Chicken
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Single Serving Slow Cooker Recipes To Try
- Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
- Mini Slow Cooker Orange Chicken For One Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Mini Crockpot Orange Chicken Recipe
- Easy to Make: Throw the ingredients into your slow cooker and let it do the work.
- Healthier Option: This version skips the deep-frying, offering a more nutritious option without sacrificing taste.
- Flavorful: The combination of orange preserves, ginger, and garlic creates a rich sauce.
- Perfect for One: Created to yield just a single serving, making it super convenient for those cooking for one and not looking to make leftovers.
- Grocery-Store Friendly: All ingredients are readily available at your local supermarket.
RELATED: Cooking For One Tips To Eat Healthy And Save Money
Ingredients
This section provides a quick rundown of the ingredients used in this small Crockpot orange chicken recipe. For complete measurements and step-by-step instructions, please scroll to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
- Chicken: Opt for 1 to 2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a tender and flavorful result. If you have leftover chicken thighs, consider using them in Chicken Cacciatore or a Chicken and Rice Casserole.
- Orange Preserves or Marmalade: Choose either low-sugar or regular orange preserves to impart a tangy, sweet undertone to the dish.
- Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed orange juice is ideal, but a quality bottled version works well too. Extra orange juice can be used in a small batch of Morning Glory Muffins or a Tequila Sunrise!
- Soy Sauce: This is your umami kicker. Go for low-sodium if you’re watching your salt intake, or stick with regular for a richer flavor profile.
- Garlic and Onions: Incorporate 1 garlic clove and half of a small onion for a depth of flavor that perfectly complements the chicken.
- Ground Ginger: For the sake of convenience, ground ginger is recommended. However, 1/4 teaspoon of freshly minced ginger is a great alternative for a more intense flavor.
- Salt and Black Pepper: These are your basic seasoning agents that fine-tune the flavors of the dish.
- Sesame Seeds: While optional, a sprinkle of sesame seeds adds a delightful crunch and aesthetic appeal to your finished plate.
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
Recipe Variations
Looking to switch things up without losing the essence of your beloved orange chicken? Change your routine with these easy modifications:
- Vegetarian Friendly: Skip the chicken altogether and use firm tofu cubes or tempeh as a protein-packed vegetarian option.
- Crispy Orange Chicken: After slow cooking, transfer the chicken pieces to a baking sheet and broil for 3-5 minutes for a crispy texture. Then toss them back in the sauce before serving.
- Spicy Orange Chicken: Craving some heat? Add 1/8 teaspoon of red pepper flakes or 1/2 teaspoon of sriracha to the sauce mixture before cooking.
- Citrus Medley Chicken: Why stop at orange? Add lemon and lime juice, and even a bit of zest, to give the dish a more complex citrus flavor.
- Pineapple Orange Chicken: Add a 1/4 cup of pineapple chunks or pineapple juice to the slow cooker for a tropical twist that’s reminiscent of sweet and sour chicken.
How To Make Orange Chicken
These step-by-step instructions help you visualize how to make a single serving Slow Cooker Orange Chicken. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Place thinly sliced onions into the bowl of a small Crockpot or slow cooker. Place the chicken thighs on top of the onions.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the orange preserves, orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper. Pour over the chicken.
- Cook the chicken on high for 3 hours or on low temperature for 6 hours.
- Serve with brown or white rice and top with sesame seeds.
Expert Tips
- Adjust Spice Levels: Personalize the dish by tweaking the amount of spices to suit your taste preference.
- Choice of Chicken: While chicken thighs are preferred for their moisture retention and tenderness, a boneless, skinless chicken breast is a viable alternative.
- Storing Leftovers: Keep any leftover orange chicken in an airtight container in the fridge, and it’ll stay good for up to 3 days.
- Scaling the Recipe: If you’re in the mood for more, this recipe is easily doubled. Just make sure to switch to a larger slow cooker, ideally 3-quarts or more, to accommodate the extra ingredients.
RELATED: Recipes For Empty Nesters – The Joy Of Cooking For Two
What To Serve With Orange Chicken
Nothing complements a succulent dish like slow cooker orange chicken better than the perfect single serving side dish. Finding that flawless pairing can elevate your meal from good to unforgettable. Here are some versatile, yet classic options:
- Baked White Rice: Fluffy and neutral, white rice soaks up the flavorful orange sauce, making each bite a well-balanced experience.
- Baked Brown Rice: A healthier alternative, brown rice offers a nutty flavor and extra fiber, which can add a complex layer to your dish.
- Buttered Noodles For One: Soft, buttered pasta serve as an unconventional but delicious base, providing a contrast in texture to the tender chicken.
- Small Batch Mashed Potatoes: Creamy and comforting, a dollop of mashed potatoes can add a heart-warming richness that rounds out your meal beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions
For single serving slow cooker meals, a 1.5-quart slow cooker works best. However, if you only have a larger slow cooker, you can adapt it for smaller meals by using an oven-safe bowl inside the cooking vessel.
If you’re equipped with a large slow cooker but aim for single serving recipes, you can easily modify your appliance. Place an oven-safe bowl into the base of your slow cooker, fill the bowl with your chosen ingredients, and proceed with cooking as directed. It’s essential to note that the bowl should be about two-thirds to three-quarters full for optimal cooking performance. Under-filling may result in quicker cooking and the risk of burning the dish.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
More Single Serving Slow Cooker Recipes To Try
If you’re a fan of our single serving slow cooker orange chicken, don’t miss out on exploring more of our delicious and easy-to-make individual slow cooker recipes.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried this slow cooker orange chicken or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Mini Slow Cooker Orange Chicken For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ small onion -thinly sliced
- 2 boneless skinless chicken thigh (about 7 ounces)
- ¼ cup low sugar orange preserves
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 clove garlic -minced
- pinch ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon sesame seeds -optional
Instructions
- Place the sliced onions in the bowl of a small slow cooker.
- Place the chicken thighs on top of the onions.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the orange preserves, orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper. Pour over the chicken.
- Cook on low for 6 hours (or cook for 3 hours on high).
- Serve with your choice of rice and top with sesame seeds, if using.
Notes
- Adjust Spice Levels: Personalize the dish by tweaking the amount of spices to suit your taste preference.
- Choice of Chicken: While chicken thighs are preferred for their moisture retention and tenderness, a boneless, skinless chicken breast is a viable alternative.
- Storing Leftovers: Keep any leftover orange chicken in an airtight container in the fridge, and it’ll stay good for up to 3 days.
- Scaling the Recipe: If you’re in the mood for more, this recipe is easily doubled. Just make sure to switch to a larger slow cooker, ideally 3-quarts or more, to accommodate the extra ingredients.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Hi Joanie, anorher fabulous looking recipe..
My question is.. In this..and your other recipes that call for boneless chicken thighs, can I use bone in thighs??? This is because the majority of times these are what I mainly have in my freezer..
Merry Chritmas greetings from Lorna here in Scotland๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ
Thank you for your kind words, Lorna! Yes, you can absolutely use bone-in chicken thighs in this recipe and others that call for boneless thighs. In slow cooker recipes like this one, there should be plenty of time for the chicken to cook as written, so no adjustments should be necessary. For other types of recipes, the cooking time may need to be adjusted slightly. I hope you enjoy the recipeโlet me know how it turns out!
Hi!! For this orange chicken recipe, can I substitute the orange marmalade for sweet mango chutney? And the orange juice with mango juice???
Do you think this will work???
Thank you so much!!
Sounds really delicious! I’d definitely give it a try.
Hi! Can I use my small instantpot for this recipe and rotisserie chicken???? My instantpot is the smallest one.
I actually donโt use an Instant Pot for my recipes, so they arenโt specifically developed for it.
I made this and thoroughly enjoyed it and plan on making it again. Now I had this thought would a pork chop work maybe sliced in strips?
Should work just fine.