Crock-Pot Chicken With Orange Sauce
Tender chicken cooked in a flavorful orange sauce with carrots, celery, and onions, perfect for a comforting family dinner with a sweet and tangy profile.
Ingredients
- 1 large chicken, cooked, boned, skinned and cut up ⓘ
- 4 sliced carrots ⓘ
- 1/2 cup diced celery ⓘ
- 1/2 cup diced onion ⓘ
- 12 oz can orange juice concentrate, thawed ⓘ
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 cup flour ⓘ
- 1 cup chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 can cream of chicken soup ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook carrots, celery, and onion together until partially done.
- Mix the remaining ingredients (orange juice concentrate, brown sugar, sugar, flour, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, and salt) together.
- Add the cooked vegetables and chicken to the slow cooker with the sauce mixture.
- Cook until the sauce is slightly thickened, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your Crock-Pot Chicken With Orange Sauce, consider adding a splash of soy sauce or a tablespoon of Dijon mustard to the sauce mixture. If you want a thicker sauce, let it cook longer, or mix in a cornstarch slurry at the end. For a twist, try substituting the orange juice concentrate with pineapple juice for a tropical flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Crock-Pot Chicken With Orange Sauce over a bed of fluffy rice or alongside roasted potatoes for a complete meal. Steamed broccoli or green beans make excellent side dishes to balance the sweetness of the sauce. For a comforting pairing, consider serving it with a slice of Loraine'S Potato Casserole.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally, or warm it gently on the stove over low heat until heated through. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of chicken broth to loosen it up.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Crock-Pot Chicken With Orange Sauce contains roughly 565 calories, with 12g protein, 112g carbohydrates, and 10g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (154% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (78% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (52% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1020mg per serving (44% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but it’s best to thaw it first for even cooking. If using frozen chicken, ensure it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F during the cooking process. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly to accommodate for the frozen state.
What can I substitute for cream of chicken soup?
If you prefer not to use cream of chicken soup, you can substitute it with a homemade white sauce or a can of cream of mushroom soup. Both options will maintain the creamy texture, while the mushroom flavor adds a different twist to the dish.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! This Crock-Pot Chicken With Orange Sauce is perfect for meal prepping. The flavors deepen as it sits, making it even more delicious when reheated. Portion it into containers for an easy grab-and-go meal throughout the week.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).