Barbecue Orange Chicken

Ingredients 

Instructions 

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

There’s nothing quite like the convenience and deliciousness of a slow cooker meal, and this Barbecue Orange Chicken recipe is a shining example. It combines the comforting, smoky notes of classic BBQ with a vibrant, zesty twist from orange marmalade. The result is a tender, flavor-packed chicken dish that’s incredibly easy to prepare and versatile enough for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together, preparing a family dinner, or looking for an exciting meal prep option, this recipe delivers on all fronts. Just a few simple ingredients and your slow cooker do all the hard work, leaving you with more time to enjoy life’s moments.

Why This Barbecue Orange Chicken Will Be Your New Favorite

This recipe isn’t just another chicken dish; it’s a culinary experience designed for ease and maximum flavor. Here’s why it’s destined to become a staple in your kitchen:

• Effortless Preparation: With minimal chopping and just one pot (your slow cooker!), cleanup is a breeze and active cooking time is almost non-existent. You simply combine the ingredients, set it, and forget it, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
• Explosion of Flavors: The combination of smoky barbecue sauce and bright, sweet-tart orange marmalade creates a complex flavor profile that is both familiar and exciting. The chicken absorbs all these delicious notes, resulting in an incredibly juicy and tender main course that will tantalize your taste buds.
• Versatile Serving Options: While traditionally served over rice, this Barbecue Orange Chicken is also fantastic in sandwiches, wraps, tacos, or as a flavorful protein addition to salads. It’s a truly adaptable dish that can fit various meal styles throughout the week, catering to different preferences.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a large batch and enjoy flavorful meals for days. This dish reheats beautifully, making it an ideal choice for busy individuals and families who appreciate delicious, ready-to-eat meals.
• Crowd-Pleaser: The irresistible sweet and savory appeal of this chicken makes it a guaranteed hit with both adults and children, ensuring empty plates and happy smiles around the table at any gathering.

Mastering Your Slow Cooker: Tips for the Perfect BBQ Orange Chicken

While this recipe is incredibly straightforward, a few expert tips can help you achieve the best possible results every time, ensuring your Barbecue Orange Chicken is nothing short of spectacular.

Ingredient Quality Matters

• Chicken Breasts: Always opt for high-quality, boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Cutting them into uniform, bite-sized cubes is crucial for ensuring even cooking and maximizing the absorption of the flavorful sauce. If you prefer a richer, more succulent result, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can also be used; just ensure they are cut into similar-sized pieces for consistency.
• Barbecue Sauce: The choice of barbecue sauce will significantly influence the final flavor profile of your dish. Don’t be afraid to select your absolute favorite brand, whether you lean towards a sweeter, smokier, or even a slightly spicy variety. Experimentation can lead to discovering your perfect flavor combination!
• Orange Marmalade: Good quality orange marmalade is the secret weapon for that distinctive zesty, sweet citrus kick that defines this dish. While excellent store-bought options are readily available, if you happen to have homemade marmalade on hand, it will undoubtedly elevate the dish to an even higher culinary plane.

Slow Cooker Best Practices

• Don’t Overfill: To ensure optimal cooking and prevent any messy spills, make sure your slow cooker is filled between halfway and two-thirds full. This allows for proper heat distribution and even cooking.
• Resist the Urge to Peek: Opening the slow cooker lid, even for a quick glance, releases trapped heat and steam, which can significantly extend the overall cooking time. Try to keep the lid on until the recommended cooking time is almost complete to maintain a consistent cooking temperature.
• Even Coating: Before you even start cooking, take a moment to ensure all chicken pieces are thoroughly and evenly coated in the sauce. This meticulous step guarantees that every single bite is infused with the wonderful sweet, smoky, and tangy flavors.

Achieving the Perfect Glaze

If you desire a thicker, more luxurious sauce to cling to your chicken and rice, you can easily achieve this after the chicken has finished cooking. Simply remove the tender chicken from the slow cooker and set it aside. In a small separate bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a smooth slurry. Stir this cornstarch slurry thoroughly into the sauce remaining in the slow cooker. Then, turn your slow cooker setting to HIGH and continue to cook for an additional 15-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. Once thickened, return the chicken to the velvety sauce, and gently toss to coat.

Elevate Your Meal: Variations & Customizations

This Barbecue Orange Chicken recipe is a fantastic and forgiving base, but don’t hesitate to unleash your creativity and make it truly your own with these delicious variations and customization ideas:

• Spice It Up: For those who crave a fiery kick, introduce a dash of red pepper flakes, a teaspoon of sriracha, or a finely minced jalapeño pepper to the sauce mixture before cooking. Adjust the amount to match your preferred level of heat.
• Other Protein Options: While boneless, skinless chicken breasts are specified, this recipe works beautifully with other proteins. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will yield an even richer, more succulent result due to their higher fat content. You can also experiment with lean cuts of pork, like pork loin, or even firm white fish, adjusting the cooking times accordingly to ensure they are cooked through yet tender.
• Add Some Veggies: Boost the nutritional value, color, and texture of your dish by incorporating quick-cooking vegetables during the last hour of cooking. Sliced bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), chopped onions, thinly sliced carrots, or fresh broccoli florets would all be delicious and complementary additions.
• Garnish for Flair: A simple garnish can elevate the presentation and add an extra burst of freshness. Consider sprinkling fresh chopped cilantro, thinly sliced green onions, or toasted sesame seeds over the finished dish. A squeeze of fresh orange juice just before serving can also enhance the bright citrus notes.
• Smoky Boost: If your chosen barbecue sauce doesn’t quite deliver the smoky depth you desire, a tiny drop or two of liquid smoke added to the sauce mixture can intensify that classic BBQ flavor profile. Use sparingly, as a little goes a long way!

What to Serve with Barbecue Orange Chicken

This flavorful Barbecue Orange Chicken pairs wonderfully with a diverse array of sides, allowing you to create a complete, balanced, and utterly satisfying meal for any occasion.

• Classic Rice: Fluffy white rice, such as aromatic jasmine or fragrant basmati, is the quintessential choice. It perfectly soaks up all the rich and savory sauce. For a healthier and heartier option, brown rice or quinoa also make excellent alternatives.
• Noodles: For an enticing Asian-inspired twist, consider serving this chicken over a bed of stir-fried lo mein or chow mein noodles. The combination is simply delightful.
• Steamed Vegetables: Freshly steamed vegetables offer a crisp, healthy contrast to the rich chicken. Options like vibrant broccoli, tender green beans, delicate asparagus, or sweet sugar snap peas would all be delicious and visually appealing additions.
• Roasted Potatoes or Sweet Potatoes: A hearty side of roasted diced potatoes or sweet potato wedges provides a comforting and substantial accompaniment that beautifully complements the sweet and savory flavors of the chicken.
• Corn on the Cob: Embracing a classic BBQ theme, perfectly cooked corn on the cob is a natural and delicious pairing for this dish.
• Fresh Salad: A simple, crisp green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette can offer a refreshing counterpoint, cutting through the richness of the chicken and brightening the entire meal.
• Coleslaw: Whether you prefer a creamy, mayonnaise-based coleslaw or a tangy, vinegar-based version, coleslaw provides a delightful crunch and a refreshing element that complements the robust flavors of the chicken.
• Dinner Rolls or Crusty Bread: Don’t let a single drop of that incredible sauce go to waste! Serve with warm dinner rolls or slices of crusty bread for soaking up any leftover goodness.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

One of the many advantages of this Barbecue Orange Chicken is how wonderfully it holds up as leftovers, making it an exceptional candidate for meal prepping throughout the week.

• Storage: After cooking, allow the chicken and sauce to cool completely to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer it to an airtight container. It can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, maintaining its delicious flavor and texture.
• Freezing: For longer-term storage, this dish freezes beautifully. Place the cooked chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw the chicken overnight in the refrigerator before proceeding with reheating.
• Reheating:
  • Microwave: For individual portions, the microwave is your quickest option. Reheat on medium power, stirring occasionally, until the chicken and sauce are heated through evenly.
  • Stovetop: To reheat larger quantities, gently warm the chicken and sauce in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. If the sauce appears too thick after refrigeration, add a splash of chicken broth or water to achieve your desired consistency.
  • Oven: For reheating a substantial batch, transfer the chicken and sauce to an oven-safe dish. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to retain moisture, and bake at 325°F (160°C) for approximately 20-30 minutes, or until the contents are thoroughly heated through.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about making Barbecue Orange Chicken:

Can I use frozen chicken breasts?

While you can, it’s generally recommended to thaw chicken breasts completely before adding them to the slow cooker. This ensures more even cooking and helps achieve the optimal tender texture. If you must use frozen chicken, be prepared to add an extra hour or two to the cooking time on either the LOW or HIGH setting, and always verify that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) before serving.

Can I make this on the stovetop or in the oven?

Absolutely! Although designed for a slow cooker, this recipe is adaptable. For a stovetop version, cube the chicken, combine all ingredients in a large pot or deep skillet, and simmer over medium-low heat, covered, for 20-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. For oven preparation, place the chicken and sauce in a covered casserole dish and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-35 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.

What can I use instead of orange marmalade?

If orange marmalade isn’t available, you can substitute with apricot preserves or peach preserves for a similar sweet and fruity tang. Another option is to use a combination of orange juice concentrate with a little sugar and orange zest to achieve a more homemade orange flavor, though the resulting sauce texture might be slightly different without the pectin from marmalade.

How can I thicken the sauce?

To achieve a thicker sauce, follow the method detailed in the “Achieving the Perfect Glaze” section above. Remove the cooked chicken, then stir a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) into the sauce in the slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 15-30 minutes until it reaches your desired consistency. Alternatively, you can transfer the sauce to a saucepan and reduce it on the stovetop over medium heat until it thickens.

Is this recipe spicy?

As written, this recipe is not spicy; it delivers a delightful balance of sweet, smoky, and tangy flavors with a citrus highlight. If you or your family enjoys a spicy kick, you can easily customize it by adding red pepper flakes, sriracha, or a finely chopped jalapeño pepper, as suggested in the “Variations & Customizations” section.

Final Thoughts on This Delicious Dish

This Slow Cooker Barbecue Orange Chicken is truly more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to enjoy incredibly flavorful, restaurant-quality food with minimal stress and maximum satisfaction. Its harmonious blend of sweet, smoky, and zesty notes makes it an instant classic, perfect for any day of the week, from busy Mondays to relaxing weekends. We genuinely hope you’ll give this fantastic recipe a try and discover just how easy and rewarding it is to create such a comforting and delicious meal right in your own kitchen. Don’t forget to leave a rating and comment below to share your culinary experience and help other home cooks discover this delightful dish!