Oh my gosh, you have GOT to try this keto crockpot orange chicken! It’s been my absolute go-to for busy weeknights when I want something crazy flavorful but don’t want to stand over the stove. I discovered this recipe last year when I was deep in my keto journey, desperately missing my favorite takeout. The first time I made it, my whole family went nuts – my picky teenager even asked for seconds!

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What I love most (besides the zero guilt) is how incredibly easy it is. Just a quick sear on the chicken, dump everything in the slow cooker, and walk away. Four hours later, you’ve got this amazing low-carb, high-protein meal with all the sticky-sweet-orangey goodness of the original, but none of the sugar crash. The sauce thickens up perfectly with just a sprinkle of xanthan gum – trust me, it’s magic!

After testing dozens of variations, this version hits all the right notes – bright citrus, a little heat from the red pepper, and that satisfying chew from properly cooked chicken. And the best part? One pot means minimal cleanup. My kinda meal!

Why You’ll Love This Keto Crockpot Orange Chicken

Let me count the ways this recipe will become your new weeknight hero:

Set-it-and-forget-it magic: Just 15 minutes of prep, then let your crockpot do all the work while you tackle your day (or binge your favorite show)
Takeout flavors without the carbs: That sticky-sweet orange glaze you crave? We nailed it with zero sugar – just wait till you taste it!
One-pot wonder: From browning to serving, everything happens in one vessel (hello, easy cleanup!)
Customizable heat: Love spice? Add extra red pepper flakes. Not your thing? Tone it down – the recipe adapts to your taste
Meal prep superstar: Makes perfect leftovers that taste even better the next day (if it lasts that long!)

Seriously, this dish checks every box for busy keto lovers. The first time I made it, I knew I’d struck gold – and I bet you’ll feel the same!

Keto Crockpot Orange Chicken Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this flavor-packed keto orange chicken:

2 lbs chicken breasts, cubed into bite-sized pieces (thighs work great too!)
1/2 cup orange juice – make sure it’s the no sugar added kind
1/4 cup soy sauce or coconut aminos if you’re avoiding soy
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar – gives that perfect tang
1 tbsp freshly grated ginger (the jarred stuff just isn’t the same!)
2 cloves garlic, minced – more if you’re a garlic lover like me
1 tbsp erythritol – our keto-friendly sweetener
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes – adjust to your spice preference
1 tbsp olive oil for browning the chicken
1 tbsp xanthan gum – our magic thickener
1 orange, sliced for garnish (makes it pretty!)
1 tbsp sesame seeds – for that finishing touch

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Don’t stress if you’re missing something! For the xanthan gum, you can use 1 tsp of arrowroot powder instead (just mix with cold water first). Any keto sweetener works – I’ve used monk fruit with great results. Fresh ginger is best, but in a pinch, 1/4 tsp ground ginger works. If orange juice isn’t handy, try zest from one orange mixed with 1/2 cup chicken broth for similar citrus flavor!

How to Make Keto Crockpot Orange Chicken

Okay, let’s get cooking! This keto crockpot orange chicken comes together so easily, you’ll be amazed at how restaurant-quality it turns out. Here’s exactly how I do it:

Brown that chicken! Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add your cubed chicken (don’t crowd the pan!) and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden but not cooked through. This step is crucial for texture – don’t skip it!
Transfer to crockpot. Toss those beautiful golden chicken pieces right into your slow cooker. I use a 6-quart, but any size works as long as everything fits comfortably.
Whisk the magic sauce. In a bowl, combine orange juice, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, ginger, garlic, erythritol, and red pepper flakes. Taste it – this is when I usually add an extra pinch of red pepper because I like it spicy!
Pour and cook. Drizzle that glorious orange sauce over the chicken, give everything a gentle stir, then cover and cook on low for 4 hours (or high for 2 if you’re in a hurry). Your house will smell amazing!
Thicken the sauce. Here’s the keto secret – sprinkle in xanthan gum and stir well. Let it sit for 5 minutes – like magic, your sauce will transform from watery to glossy perfection.
Garnish and serve! Top with orange slices and sesame seeds for that authentic takeout look. Watch everyone’s faces light up when they taste it!

Tips for Perfect Keto Orange Chicken

Want restaurant-quality results every time? Here are my hard-won tips: First, pat your chicken dry before browning – wet chicken won’t get that golden crust. Don’t overcook – 4 hours on low keeps it juicy. If the sauce seems thin, add xanthan gum in tiny pinches until it’s just right. And my favorite trick? Let it sit 10 minutes after cooking – the flavors intensify beautifully!

Serving Suggestions for Keto Crockpot Orange Chicken

Oh, the possibilities! My favorite way to serve this keto crockpot orange chicken is piled high over a big bowl of cauliflower rice – it soaks up all that glorious sauce. For something different, try it with zucchini noodles or crisp-tender steamed broccoli. Don’t forget the extra sesame seeds and green onion sprinkles – they make it look fancy with zero effort!

Storing and Reheating Keto Crockpot Orange Chicken

Okay, let’s talk leftovers – because let’s be real, you might actually have some with this dish! Store your keto orange chicken in an airtight container in the fridge, and it’ll stay delicious for about 3 days. When reheating, I love using the stovetop – just warm it gently in a skillet with a splash of water to bring the sauce back to life. The microwave works too (hello, lazy nights!), but stir every 30 seconds so it heats evenly.

Fair warning though – I don’t recommend freezing this one. The chicken gets a weird rubbery texture when thawed, and that gorgeous glossy sauce tends to separate. Trust me, I learned this the hard way after excitedly batch-cooking a triple portion! Better to enjoy it fresh or within those few days – not that it’ll last that long in your fridge anyway!

Keto Crockpot Orange Chicken Nutritional Info

Here’s the breakdown per serving (about 1 cup) of this flavor-packed keto crockpot orange chicken:

320 calories – perfect for keeping it light but satisfying
12g fat – all that good stuff to keep you full
38g protein – hello, muscle fuel!
8g net carbs – yep, it fits beautifully into your keto macros

Now, a little disclaimer from my kitchen to yours: These numbers can vary slightly depending on your exact ingredients. I’ve found that different brands of orange juice or soy sauce might change things by a gram or two. And if you’re like me and can’t resist adding extra sesame seeds (no judgment!), that’ll bump up the healthy fats a tiny bit.

The best part? Even with these variations, this recipe stays firmly in keto-friendly territory. I’ve run the numbers with all my favorite ingredient swaps, and it never breaks the carb bank. So dig in without guilt!

FAQs About Keto Crockpot Orange Chicken

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Thighs actually make this keto orange chicken extra juicy. Just trim any excess fat and cut into evenly-sized pieces so they cook at the same rate. I often do half breasts, half thighs for the best of both worlds!

How can I make it spicier?
Oh, I love this question! For more heat, double the red pepper flakes or add a diced jalapeño with the sauce ingredients. Sometimes I’ll stir in a teaspoon of sriracha at the end – just watch those carbs! The spice really balances the sweet orange beautifully.

What if my sauce is too thin?
Don’t panic! Just sprinkle in a bit more xanthan gum (1/4 tsp at a time) and let it sit for 5 minutes. If you’re out of xanthan gum, arrowroot powder works too – mix 1 tsp with cold water before stirring in.

Can I prep this ahead?
You bet! Brown the chicken and mix the sauce the night before, then refrigerate separately. Next morning, just dump everything in the crockpot – easy peasy! The flavors actually deepen when prepped ahead.

Final Thoughts

There you have it – my foolproof way to enjoy all the orange chicken goodness while staying keto! This recipe has saved me from countless takeout temptations, and I know it’ll do the same for you. The best part? Seeing everyone’s surprised faces when they realize it’s low-carb!

Now I want to hear from YOU – make this keto crockpot orange chicken, then tag me on Instagram @KetoKitchenMagic with your creations! Did you tweak the spice level? Find an awesome new garnish? I live for your kitchen experiments – let’s swap secrets in the comments!

Irresistible 4-Ingredient Keto Crockpot Orange Chicken Recipe

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A delicious and easy keto-friendly orange chicken recipe made in the crockpot.

Author: Kitchen Hub
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 15 mins
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: Asian
Diet: Low Calorie

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs chicken breasts, cubed
1/2 cup orange juice (no sugar added)
1/4 cup soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp grated ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp erythritol
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp xanthan gum (for thickening)
1 orange, sliced (for garnish)
1 tbsp sesame seeds (for garnish)

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Instructions

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown chicken cubes for 2-3 minutes.
Transfer chicken to crockpot.
In a bowl, mix orange juice, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, ginger, garlic, erythritol, and red pepper flakes.
Pour sauce over chicken in crockpot.
Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
Stir in xanthan gum to thicken sauce.
Garnish with orange slices and sesame seeds before serving.

Notes

For a thicker sauce, add more xanthan gum.
Serve over cauliflower rice for a complete keto meal.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 320
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 8g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 38g
Cholesterol: 110mg