This Slow Cooker Orange Chicken and Broccoli is a healthier, homemade version of your favorite Chinese takeout! Tender chicken is coated in a sticky-sweet orange sauce and slow-cooked to perfection, with broccoli added at the end for that perfect crisp-tender texture. The rich flavors of sesame oil, orange marmalade, garlic, and ginger come together beautifully in this easy weeknight dinner. Serve it over rice for a satisfying meal that’s better than takeout—and made with love in your own kitchen!

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into bite-sized pieces
• Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• ½ cup orange marmalade
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• Zest of 1 small orange (about 1 tbsp)
• 2 tsp minced garlic (or ½ tsp garlic powder)
• 1 tsp minced or grated fresh ginger (or ¼ tsp ground ginger)
• 1 (16 oz) package frozen broccoli florets, thawed (or 5–6 cups fresh)
• Cooked white rice, for serving
• Optional garnish: sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds

Directions

1. Prep Chicken: Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Toss with cornstarch in a large zip-top bag or bowl to coat evenly.

2. Make Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together orange marmalade, soy sauce, sesame oil, orange zest, garlic, and ginger.

3. Slow Cook: Add coated chicken to a greased slow cooker and pour sauce over the top. Stir gently to coat all pieces.

4. Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or on HIGH for 1–2 hours. Check early to avoid overcooking.

5. Add Broccoli: During the last 15 minutes of cooking, stir in the broccoli and cook until just tender.

6. Serve: Spoon chicken and broccoli over rice and garnish with green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

Nutrients (Per serving, based on 6 servings)

• Calories: 333 kcal

• Protein: 35g

• Carbohydrates: 29g

• Fat: 9g

• Saturated Fat: 2g

• Fiber: 2g

• Sugar: 17g

• Cholesterol: 97mg

• Sodium: 598mg

• Potassium: 851mg

• Vitamin C: 71mg

• Iron: 1mg

• Calcium: 58mg

Why the Slow Cooker Wins Every Time

There’s something comforting about setting a meal in the slow cooker and letting it do all the work. For this recipe, the low-and-slow cooking process ensures the chicken stays moist and tender while allowing the orange sauce to develop rich, deep flavor. The result? Juicy bites of chicken coated in a glossy glaze that clings to every surface.

Using the slow cooker also makes this meal incredibly convenient. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have time to stand at the stove. With only a few minutes of prep required, you can toss everything into the pot, set the timer, and walk away. Dinner will be ready when you are—flavorful, hot, and ready to serve.

The Sauce: A Flavor Bomb of Sweet, Savory, and Zesty

At the heart of this dish is the signature orange sauce—a deliciously sticky blend of sweet and savory ingredients that captures the essence of classic Chinese-American cuisine. Orange marmalade brings concentrated sweetness and citrus flavor, while soy sauce and sesame oil add umami and depth.

A touch of garlic and ginger rounds out the profile, giving the sauce its familiar warmth and complexity. Orange zest brightens the entire dish, enhancing the marmalade and ensuring the citrus note doesn’t get lost in the mix. As the chicken cooks, it soaks up this flavorful blend, turning each bite into a saucy, tender delight.

What makes this sauce especially great is its versatility. You can adjust it to suit your preferences—add red pepper flakes for heat, use low-sugar marmalade for a lighter option, or stir in extra garlic if you love bold flavor. It’s flexible and forgiving, which makes it perfect for both beginner and experienced home cooks.

Chicken That’s Tender, Juicy, and Full of Flavor

Choosing boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs makes this dish easy to prepare and health-conscious. When lightly coated in cornstarch and slow-cooked in the sauce, the chicken becomes incredibly tender while maintaining a slightly velvety texture, thanks to the starch.

The cornstarch also helps thicken the sauce naturally during cooking, creating that glossy, takeout-style consistency that’s ideal for spooning over rice. There’s no need to sauté, sear, or fry—the slow cooker handles everything, leaving you with flavorful, fall-apart chicken that rivals anything from your favorite takeout spot.

Broccoli for Freshness and Color

Adding broccoli near the end of the cooking time is a game-changer. It brings a pop of green to the dish and offers a crisp contrast to the soft chicken and thick sauce. By stirring it in during the final 15 minutes, you preserve its texture and prevent it from becoming mushy.

Broccoli also boosts the nutritional value of the dish, bringing in fiber, vitamin C, and a subtle earthiness that balances the sweet and savory sauce. You can use fresh florets or frozen ones that have been thawed—both work well and make the dish more wholesome and complete.

If you’re feeling creative, you can swap in other vegetables like snap peas, bell peppers, or carrots. Just be sure to add them at the right time to maintain their texture.

Serve It Right: Rice, Garnishes, and Customizations

No orange chicken dish is complete without a bed of fluffy rice to soak up all that delicious sauce. White rice, jasmine rice, or even brown rice all pair beautifully with this slow-cooked favorite. If you’re watching carbs, try serving it over cauliflower rice or a bed of steamed vegetables.

A final sprinkle of green onions or toasted sesame seeds adds the perfect finishing touch. These simple garnishes add a fresh crunch and enhance the presentation, making the dish feel complete and vibrant.

You can also customize this dish to your dietary needs. Want it spicier? Add sriracha or red pepper flakes. Need it gluten-free? Choose a tamari or gluten-free soy sauce. The base recipe is easy to adapt without compromising the flavor or texture.

A Healthier Takeout Alternative

One of the biggest perks of this slow cooker orange chicken is that it’s lighter and healthier than takeout. Traditional orange chicken is often deep-fried and heavily sweetened, but this homemade version skips the fryer and uses simple, whole ingredients to achieve the same crave-worthy result.

You’re in full control of the sodium, sugar, and fat content—without sacrificing flavor. The recipe uses lean protein, plenty of vegetables, and a sauce that’s rich without being overwhelming. It’s comfort food you can feel good about eating, which makes it suitable for weeknight dinners and even meal prep for the days ahead.

Meal Prep Friendly and Great for Leftovers

This dish stores and reheats exceptionally well, making it a go-to for busy schedules. The flavors deepen overnight, and the chicken stays tender even after being reheated. Simply portion the chicken and broccoli into airtight containers with a side of rice, and you’ve got a week’s worth of satisfying meals ready to go.

It also freezes well, especially if you store the chicken and broccoli separate from the rice. Just thaw, reheat, and enjoy a quick meal that tastes like it took hours to make—all from the comfort of your kitchen.

Conclusion: Better Than Takeout, Made at Home

This Slow Cooker Orange Chicken and Broccoli recipe is everything you want in a weeknight dinner—easy, flavorful, satisfying, and packed with better-for-you ingredients. With just a few minutes of prep and the help of your slow cooker, you can create a takeout favorite that’s made with love, care, and your favorite pantry staples.

Whether you’re feeding a family, prepping meals ahead of time, or just craving a cozy bowl of saucy chicken and rice, this dish delivers on every level. It’s flexible enough to suit your taste, impressive enough to serve to guests, and comforting enough to keep in your regular meal rotation.

Once you make it, you’ll wonder why you ever ordered out. From the first bite to the last, this slow cooker version proves that homemade really can be better than takeout.