This recipe was born out of two simple desires: to utilize leftover marmalade from making Orange Beef Lettuce Wraps, and to devise a flavorful dish suitable for my upcoming One Month in One Day Meal Prep. Well, let me tell you, this dish exceeds all expectations. With its effortless preparation in the slow cooker, it effortlessly delivers everything you crave from takeout, and then some. Join me as we dive into the tantalizing world of homemade comfort food with a delightful twist!
The Not So Secret Ingredient: Orange Marmalade
Orange marmalade, with its sweet and tangy flavor profile, proved to be the star ingredient in this culinary creation. With its versatility, it served as the perfect base for the sticky and flavorful glaze that coats the tender pieces of chicken. Utilizing leftover marmalade from Orange Beef Lettuce Wraps, I maximized its potential. Marmalade infuses the dish with citrusy notes that elevate the flavors to new heights.
Perfecting Texture
The Role of Cornstarch One of the key elements in achieving restaurant-quality Orange Chicken lies in the texture of the chicken itself. Enter cornstarch, the unsung hero of this dish. Next, coating the chicken pieces in a mixture of cornstarch and spices before cooking, I was able to achieve that coveted exterior. This is synonymous with takeout favorites. Cornstarch creates a delightful texture. And it also helps to lock in moisture, ensuring each bite is tender and flavorful.
Embracing Creativity
Orange Chicken with Orange Marmalade is more than just a dish; it’s a testament to the transformative power of culinary creativity. So, by repurposing leftover ingredients and embracing innovative techniques, I was able to craft a flavorful masterpiece that surpassed all expectations. Remember, next time you find yourself with a jar of orange marmalade, don’t hesitate to embark on your own culinary adventure and discover the magic of homemade Orange Chicken.
And don’t forget to try the Orange Beef Lettuce Wraps too!
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Orange Chicken with Orange Marmalade
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Transform your ordinary chicken into a culinary sensation with our Orange Chicken recipe. Infused with the sweet and tangy flavors of orange marmalade and perfectly coated in a crispy cornstarch crust, this dish is a true delight for the taste buds. Simple yet flavorful, it’s sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into cubes
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
- 1 cup orange marmalade
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 a teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or fresh garlic
- 3 cups frozen broccoli
- sesame seeds and sliced scallions for serving
Instructions
- Mix chicken with corn starch, salt, and pepper in a gallon plastic bag.
- Pour oil in the bottom of a slow cooker.
- Mix marmalade, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic to make the sauce.
- Place chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker in an even layer.
- Pour sauce over the chicken.
- Cook on low for about 3 hours (times will vary depending on your slow cooker. Fully cooked chicken is 165F)
- At 2.5 hours, cook frozen broccoli according to instructions.
- Pour the cooked broccoli in with the chicken and mix well. Cover and continue to cook for the additional half hour.
- Serve over rice with sesame seeds and sliced scallions!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 180
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