This Orange Chicken freezer meal recipe is a convenient and flavorful option for those looking to enjoy a homemade Chinese-inspired dish with minimal effort. The key to this recipe’s convenience is the crockpot, which allows you to effortlessly cook your chicken in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. Seriously, this is so good and easy. Also, it’s an ideal freezer meal, making it easy to prepare in advance and have on hand for those hectic evenings when cooking from scratch just isn’t an option.

The Star of the Show

The star of this dish is the vibrant orange sauce, which combines the zesty flavors of fresh oranges with a hint of sweetness. When the chicken is slow-cooked in this sauce, it absorbs all the delicious citrusy flavors, resulting in a mouthwatering meal that will delight your taste buds and leave your insides screaming for seconds.

Whether you’re a fan of Orange Chicken or simply looking for a convenient and flavorful freezer meal, this recipe will quickly become a household family favorite. Enjoy the convenience of your crockpot and freezer, and savor the fantastic flavors of homemade Orange Chicken whenever you have the craving!

Why You’ll Love This 5 Ingredient Orange Chicken

Super Fast Prep
Perfect Freezer Meal
Dairy Free
Few Ingredients
Kid-friendly

Orange Chicken Freezer Meal

Whether you're a fan of Orange Chicken or simply looking for a convenient and flavorful freezer meal, this recipe will quickly become a household favorite.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 4

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Asian inspired, Chinese

Servings people

Calories 695 kcal

Equipment

1 gallon freezer bag
Slow Cooker / Crockpot

Ingredients

2-3 lbs chicken thighs boneless/skinless

Orange Chicken Sauce (Whisk Together):

2 cups BBQ sauce
1 1/3 cup orange marmelade
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

For Serving:

Cilantro Lime Rice recipe below
Reserved Orange Chicken Sauce

Cilantro Lime Rice

2-4 cups Cooked rice I like Basmati rice
2 Limes juiced
1/4 cup Fresh cilantro diced
1 tsp Salt

Instructions

Prep | Freezer Directions

Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to your preferred method.
Whisk together sauce ingredients.
Add 1 1/2 cup orange chicken sauce + chicken thighs into freezer bag. Reserve the remaining sauce for day of cooking. (Store reserved sauce in an airtight container in fridge or freezer.)
Seal bag, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to three months.

Slow Cooker | Cooking Directions

Thaw freezer bag in fridge 12-24 hours before cooking.
Dump the contents of the freezer bag into a slow cooker.
Cook on low for 4-6 hours
When chicken is almost done, cook rice according to package. Once rice is cooked, mix in ¼ cup fresh diced cilantro, juice of 1-2 limes, and 1 tsp salt.
Shred chicken in slow cooker, stir, and then serve over your cilantro lime rice. Drizzle reserved orange chicken sauce over top

Instant Pot | Cooking Directions:

Dump the contents of the freezer bag into the Instant Pot.
Secure the lid, set the valve to “Sealing,” and cook on High Pressure for 15 minutes.
Natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release for any remaining pressure.
When chicken is almost done, cook rice according to package. Once rice is cooked, mix in ¼ cup fresh cilantro diced, juice of 1-2 limes, and 1 tsp salt.
Shred chicken in the instant pot, stir, and then serve over your cilantro lime rice. Drizzle reserved orange chicken sauce over top.

Dietary Adjustments

Make it Gluten-Free:

Make sure to use a GF BBQ Sauce

Sub 1/4 Cup Soy Sauce with ¼ cup tamari or coconut aminos

Make it Dairy-Free:

Recipe is naturally dairy-free.

Make it Egg Free:

Recipe is naturally egg-free.

Make it Tree Nut Free:

Recipe is naturally tree nut free.

Make it Peanut Free:

Recipe is naturally peanut free.

Freezer Labels

Orange Chicken Freezer Meal Printable Label

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 695kcalCarbohydrates: 84.6gProtein: 46gFat: 18.3g

Keyword 5 Ingredient Recipe, Easy Chicken Freezer Meals, How to make Orange Chicken, Orange Chicken, Orange Chicken Freezer Meal

Ingredients You’ll Need ( Only 5!)

2-3 lbs chicken thighs boneless/skinless
Orange Chicken Sauce (Whisk Together):
2 cups BBQ sauce
1 1/3 cup orange marmelade
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

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What to Pair with Your Orange Chicken Freezer Meal!

Sides

Steamed Jasmine Rice
Stir-Fried Vegetables
Egg Fried Rice

Desserts

Fruit Sorbet
Coconut Rice Pudding
Fortune Cookies

Mocktails

Citrus Splash Mocktail
Mango Mint Cooler
Peachy Ginger Beer Mocktail

Popular Substitutions & Additions

Substitutions:

Chicken Breast: If you prefer white meat or have chicken breasts on hand, you can substitute them for chicken thighs. Just be mindful of the cooking time as chicken breasts cook faster than thighs.
Teriyaki Sauce: Instead of BBQ sauce, you can use teriyaki sauce for a different flavor profile. It will give your Orange Chicken a savory and slightly sweet Asian twist.
Apricot Jam: If you don’t have orange marmalade, apricot jam can be a suitable substitute. It will provide a similar fruity sweetness to your dish.
Tamari Sauce: If you have dietary restrictions, Tamari sauce can be used as a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce.

Additions:

Fresh Ginger: Grated or minced fresh ginger can add a wonderful kick of spice and depth of flavor to your Orange Chicken. Start with 1-2 tablespoons for a noticeable ginger flavor.
Garlic: Minced garlic is a fantastic addition to enhance the savory aspect of your dish. Add 2-3 cloves of minced garlic for extra aroma and flavor.
Red Pepper Flakes: If you enjoy a bit of heat, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes to give your Orange Chicken a spicy kick. Adjust the quantity to your preferred level of spiciness.
Sesame Seeds: Toasted sesame seeds make for a delightful garnish that adds a subtle nutty flavor and a nice crunch to your Orange Chicken. Sprinkle them over the finished dish just before serving.

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Your Questions Answered

Comment below if you have any questions we didn’t answer.

Best Way To Store Make Ahead Orange Chicken Leftovers?

The best way to store your make ahead orange chicken leftovers would be to use an airtight container or freezer bag. Make sure that you remove as much air as possible from the storage container or freezer bag. Seal completely and store in the fridge or in the freezer.

If you know that you will not be able to finish your leftovers in 3-5 days, then freeze your leftovers in an airtight bag for up to a month.

How Long Will Orange Chicken Recipe Last In the Fridge?

If sealed properly after cooking, you can have Orange Chicken leftovers in the fridge for 3-5 days. Make sure when you are done eating this delicious meal, that you use an airtight container or freezer bag to store your food properly.

If you feel that you are not going to be able to eat your leftovers within that time frame, throw your leftovers in an airtight freezer bag, and store in the freezer for a month or so. Be aware that best practice for freezing food, is not to freeze a meal after it has been cooked, as this changes the texture and consistency of your meal to a certain extent.

Can I Freeze this Make Ahead Orange Chicken recipe?

Yes. This recipe can be made into a raw freezer meal. Simply add the ingredients of the recipe into a freezer bag. Seal the bag completely while removing as much air as possible, then store in the freezer for 3-6 months until you are ready to enjoy this delicious meal.

When ready to cook, simply follow the instructions provided and enjoy as your crock pot does the cooking for you.

How To Reheat Orange Chicken Freezer Meal recipe?

When you are needing to reheat this meal, simply put the meal in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute, and reheat your meal. If you have chosen to freeze the meal, let it thaw in an airtight container, then you can warm it up in the microwave, or on the stovetop on low heat. More than likely, you won’t have any leftovers as your guest will be indulging in seconds because this orange chicken recipe is THAT good.

Can you freeze chicken meals?

Yes, chicken meals, including Orange Chicken recipes, can be used as a convenient freezer meal option. The main thing to remember when freezing meals is to properly store the meal. Properly store them in airtight containers or freezer bags to maintain flavor and quality. If there is too much air in the container, it can reduce the quality of the meal when you go to reheat or heat the meal. When needed, simply thaw and reheat for a quick and delicious meal.

Why is orange chicken generally high in calories?

Orange Chicken tends to be high in calories primarily due to its sweet and sugary components. The orange marmalade and BBQ sauce used in the recipe contribute to the high calorie count. These ingredients, while providing the dish’s signature flavor, also add sweetness and calories.If you are looking to reduce the calorie intake, think about using low sugar BBQ sauce options, or making your own homemade BBQ sauce and marmalade.

How long can you freeze this recipe?

You can freeze this Orange Chicken recipe for an extended period of time or up to 6 months if it has not been cooked yet. To maintain its flavor and texture, ensure it’s stored in an airtight container or freezer bag, and label it with the date of preparation for easy tracking. Thaw and reheat when ready to enjoy. If you are looking to freeze this recipe after it has already been cooked, you may do this for up to a month as a general rule. If your food has a sour smell after it has thawed, it has gone bad and it is not recommended to eat!

Why is this recipe called orange chicken?

It’s called Orange Chicken, because of the signature sweet and tangy orange-flavored sauce that coats the chicken pieces as the recipe cooks. The sauce is a defining feature of the dish and gives it its distinctive taste and name. This is the reasoning behind the name, Orange Chicken and why it is a signature dish for many lovers of this type of cuisine.

Is white or dark meat better for orange chicken?

Dark meat, such as chicken thighs, is often preferred for Orange Chicken due to its higher fat content and juiciness of the meat. When slow-cooked in a crockpot, dark meat remains tender and flavorful, complementing the sweet and tangy sauce. However, you can use white meat if you prefer a leaner option, but it may be less moist and may have to alter the cooking to accommodate the different meat options.

Is sweet and sour sauce used for orange chicken?

No, sweet and sour sauce, is not typically used for Orange Chicken. Orange Chicken has its own unique sauce, which consists of ingredients like orange marmalade, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar, creating a distinct sweet and tangy flavor profile different from traditional sweet and sour sauce. If you are looking to experiment with different sauces, this will change the flavor profile of the recipe.

What is the orange chicken sauce made of?

The Orange Chicken sauce, is typically made from a combination of ingredients that include orange marmalade, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. These components come together to create the dish’s signature sweet, tangy, and savory flavor profile that coats the chicken pieces.

Is orange chicken an authentic Chinese dish?

Orange Chicken, as known in Westernized Chinese cuisine, is not considered an authentic Chinese dish. Orange Chicken was created in the United States and is a fusion of American and Chinese culinary influences. Authentic Chinese cuisine has a wide variety of regional dishes, and Orange Chicken is not one of them. Orange chicken can be found in many Americanized Chinese restaurants and is often confused as being authentic because it is found in many Chinese restaurants.

How do you thicken orange chicken sauce?

To thicken Orange Chicken sauce, use cornstarch mixed with water. Add this mixture gradually to the sauce while it’s simmering, stirring constantly, until the desired thickness is achieved. Cornstarch helps create a smooth, glossy texture, enhancing the sauce’s consistency without altering its flavor.

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Orange Chicken Freezer Meal Recipe