This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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 side dish. Finding that flawless pairing can elevate your meal from good to unforgettable. Here are some versatile, yet classic options:
- White Rice: Fluffy and neutral, white rice soaks up the flavorful orange sauce, making each bite a well-balanced experience.
- 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: Soft, buttered pasta serve as an unconventional but delicious base, providing a contrast in texture to the tender chicken.
- 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.
If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see!
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.
Absolutely delicious! I didn’t have any orange marmalade and was anxious to try out my new mini slow cooker. So I used apricot jam and called it Apricot Chicken! So good! Thank you!!!
Wonderful! I’m so happy you enjoyed it.
fantastic recipe now my husband’s favorite
I’m so happy you both enjoyed the chicken recipe. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know.
Can I cut the chicken into bite sized cubes before cooking? Do I need to adjust the cooking time if I do?
Yes, you can cut up the chicken before cooking and you do not need to adjust the cooking time.
I tried this and it was delicious! I didn’t have orange preserves so I added the zest of my orange and 2 tablespoons of honey. So good!! Next time I’ll add some red pepper flakes for a little kick but this was fantastic! Thank you!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe, Cindy. Thank you so much for your feedback.
Hi, I am allergic to anything with soy sauce sauce, which makes eating Chinese food difficult.that is why I like orange chicken when I eat out, but your recipe uses it, why did you add it in?
Hi Florence, feel free to leave the soy sauce out of the recipe if you’d like. It will still be delicious. I add soy sauce because it is an ingredient I’ve always added to my large batch version.
Do you think I can make it with some other flavor such as raspberry preserves?
You could, but it would change the flavor of the dish.
There is a soy sauce sub you can buy, I use it quite often it is called coconut aminos sauce, you can’t taste the coconut 🙂
I use coconut aminos in place of soy sauce all the time. It is siniliar in taste.
DO YOU THINK THIS COULD BE MADE WITH EITHER MEYER OR REGULAR LEMONS(?) OR DO YOU THINK THEY WOULD BE TOO OVER-POWERING? THX
I think the lemons would be too tart. The sweetness comes from the oranges and orange juice. Maybe a combination of both lemons and oranges would be nice.
I love orange chicken,but I like a lot of sauce for my rice,could I double the orange juice.If so do I have to change anything else in the recipe
Hi Lynda,
Yes, you can double the ingredients for the sauce and it’ll be wonderful. No need to change anything else.
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Joanie
Could I use boneless chicken breast, and double it for 2 servings? Would the cook time be longer?
Hi Mary,
Yes, you can use a boneless chicken breast and this recipe can be doubled. I’ve doubled this recipe many times and the cooking time stays the same. Hope you enjoy it!
I love this lightened up and healthier version of Orange Chicken and the fact that it can be made in the crockpot? Perfecto!
I love this! Orange chicken is one of my favorites, and I know a ton of people that would love the fact that it is single serving!