Description
An easy, crispy dinner recipe made in a crockpot with a tangy-sweet orange glaze and a perfect crispy finish. Ideal for busy weeknights, this dish combines tender chicken thighs with a flavorful Asian-inspired sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed or store-bought)
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 green onions, sliced thin
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger until combined. Set aside.
- Place chicken thighs in the crockpot, skin-side up if possible. Pour the sauce over the chicken, coating each piece. Do not stir.
- Cover and cook on low for about 4 hours until chicken is tender.
- Remove chicken from crockpot and place on a plate. Pour sauce into a saucepan.
- Mix cornstarch with 3 tablespoons cold water to make a slurry. Whisk slurry into sauce and heat over medium, stirring constantly until thickened and glossy (3-4 minutes).
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken skin-side down and cook 3-4 minutes per side until skin is crispy and golden brown.
- Return thickened sauce to skillet and toss chicken gently to coat.
- Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately over steamed jasmine rice or with steamed vegetables.
Notes
For best results, use skin-on chicken thighs and finish by crisping in a hot skillet or under a broiler. Avoid frozen chicken in the crockpot for even cooking. Sauce can be made a day ahead for better flavor. Leftovers reheat well when chicken is re-crisped.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
Keywords: orange chicken, crockpot chicken, slow cooker, crispy chicken, Asian recipe, easy dinner, weeknight meal