Classic Asian flavors made easy, gluten-free, & paleo in the slow cooker! Slow cooker orange sesame broccoli chicken is a no-fuss weeknight dinner recipe that will have you leaving take-out at the door!
It’s not me, it’s you. You guys LOVE the slow cooker, you love easy, and you love chicken! So I’ve got you covered with another easy, flavorful, “dump” meal! This one’s got an Asian flare and is packed with veggies! Serve it with some rice or quinoa and you have a perfect weeknight dinner! Take-out is easy, but expensive and less healthy. Slow cooker-ing is easy, cheap and so much more healthy!
What’s me and not you is that I think the slow cooker takes more effort than baking or grilling chicken. WHAT!? Let me explain before y’all think I’m crazy (but I’m sure you already do)! I don’t have room in my kitchen to store the slow cooker(s) I have, so I keep mine in a cabinet at the bottom on the basement stairs. Additionally, I have to “plan ahead” to use the slow cooker. You can’t just say, “Hey! Let’s have chicken tonight!”, at 4 o’clock. The slow cooker takes time (i.e. slow cooker).
You see, I’m really indecisive. Some days I know exactly what I want to eat for dinner (this is only for dinner too, the other meals are easy and on rotation). Some days I’m just not sure. When I have to figure it out the day before, forget it! How am I supposed to know what I’ll want the next night for dinner? I may feel some Mexican the day before, but then the next day arrives, and bam! I need Italian!
So if my mind (and stomach) change at the last minute and the slow cooker is already going or not going, than I’m in trouble! It’s much easier to just throw some chicken in the oven or out on the grill and be done in 30 minutes. I mean, I love slow cooker chicken, but I actually end up not making it much. You might think, from the looks of this blog, that I use it all the time, but…not really. It’s a hoax!
But in the end, that’s just me being me. I’m always happy with slow cooker chicken once it hits my plate, whenever that may be! I’ve also never used the liners you can buy to put in the slow cooker and make clean up even easier. Maybe because it’s not as eco-friendly? Haha! Actually I’ve just never even looked for them in the store, nor would I bother wasting money on them. Nothing a little scrubbing can’t fix!
And I do LOVE washing dishes! (If I find something in the dishwasher…I take it out!) I’ve also never made anything that’s sticky and hard to clean out of the slow cooker. Maybe if I ever make that slow cooker granola or some “baked” treat, that may change. Until then, I’ll keep lugging up my slow cooker, indecisively turning it on, and cleaning it with a sponge. All’s well, it ends well!
Slow Cooker Orange Sesame Broccoli Chicken
Slow Cooker Orange Sesame Broccoli Chicken
Classic Asian flavors made easy, gluten-free, & paleo in the slow cooker! Slow cooker orange sesame broccoli chicken is a no-fuss weeknight dinner recipe that will have you leaving take-out at the door!
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Main, Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
- 4 Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 4 Cups Chopped Broccoli
- 1 Cup Sliced Water Chestnuts
- 1 Medium Sweet Onion (chopped)
- Zest, Juice, Flesh of 2 Large Oranges
- 3/4 Cup Water
- 1 TB Coconut Aminos
- 1 TB Sesame Oil
- 1 TB Toasted Sesame Seeds (plus more for topping)
- 1 Tsp Minced Garlic
- 1/2 Tsp Ground Ginger
- 1/4 Tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- In a slow cooker, place the chicken in first and then dump in all other ingredients.
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours.
- Top with more sesame seeds and serve with rice or quinoa.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
Hopefully you’re still all about slow cooker-ing (slow cooker? or slow cooker…ing?). Actually, I know you are! And I know you’ll love a super healthy non-fried, greasy, or battered, gluten-free, paleo, moist, fall apart, flavor-infused, slow cooker orange sesame broccoli chicken dinner! (That was a mouthful!) To dump or not to dump, I’ll leave that up to you 😉
So tell me:
+ Is the slow cooker actually more work for you too?
+ Do you plan out every single one of your dinners beforehand or go with the flow?
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Nicole says
I just love a good dump and forget it recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
We all do~
Kati | Houseful of Handmade says
Ha ha! I am the same way with my slow cooker. I don’t think about dinner in the morning or that might now sound good to me in the evening. I always say I’m going to use the slow cooker more so I don’t have to stress about dinner when I’m running around with 2 small kids, but that doesn’t always happen. But this one does sound delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha! Well hopefully this can get you to get it out to try 😉
Shirley Wood says
I’ve heard about people who actually like to wash dishes
My slowcooker gets quite the work out in our home! Your recipe sounds perfect for our home. We enjoy adding broccoli into our dishes.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, well I love it! It’s calming!
Thank you Shirley!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
I love this recipe! Slow cooker meals are awesome and you can’t go wrong with orange broccoli chicken. YUM!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Agreed!
Emma says
I love my slow cooker and I think chicken and citrus always go really well together.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! They are a lovely combo!
Janice Wald says
Looks delicious and healthy.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks!
Nikki Frank-Hamilton says
LOL! It does look like you use your slow cooker more than you do! I love mine, utilize it whenever I can. I really love this recipe, I’ve saved it, we love orange chicken and sesame chicken and with this recipe I can have both in one meal! Win Win!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! Total win-win!
Miz Helen says
What a great dish that we will just love!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I hope you do!
Jennifer Abel says
Nice recipe and health at the same time.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
You bet!
Jess @hellotofit says
I marinated chicken breasts with soy sauce and orange juice last night, along with ginger and garlic…I had a heavy hand and poured WAY too much orange juice in, haha! Next time, I’ll have to use fresh oranges to minimize risk 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Bahaha, well at least you’re getting your Vitamin C 😉
Mistie says
Looks delicious!! Love me some Asian food combine that with the slow cooker, winner winner! I do have to agree with you. I sometimes feel that the slow cooker requires MORE effort and planning than other meals. It’s great when I’m not home to actually cook at dinner time, but more planning at breakfast time.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Exactly! Haha! The process might be easy, but the beforehand prep is a killer!
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table says
I love how easy a slow cooker meal is – I can throw it in and not worry about dinner until it’s time to eat! Works out well when I’m running around with the kids in the afternoons after work and just don’t have a chance to prep much of anything. Love this orange-sesame-broccoli chicken too – would definitely be a hit around here!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
The slow cooker is a life savor for any busy family! Since it’s usually just me, haha, sometimes more of a hassle!
Amberjane says
I love slowcooker recipes especially if I am working!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
They come in handy!
Marla says
Hi Rebecca,
I love chicken and this recipe sounds fabulous! Pinned & tweeted!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you Marla!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Would you believe I haven’t busted out my slow cooker in weeks?! Time to get back on it. I even have water chestnuts in my pantry!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
This is a must then!!! I do go in stages of using mine and then not…I haven’t in a few months 😛
Elle @ Only Taste Matters says
Keep the slow cooker recipes coming! Another winner!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I’ll never stop 😉
Angela says
This looks so delicious! I love a good slow cooker recipe, Pinned & Yummed 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens says
I don’t eat chicken but I sure do love sesame! I’ve tried meal planning before and when I take the time to do it, it is amazing but sometimes I just don’t get around to doing it. I find that it’s super helpful to just prep a bunch of veggies, legumes, and grains at the beginning of the week!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I think it’s good to just have a great stock of foods! My grocery shopping once a week keeps everything good!
Kristy @ Southern In Law says
This looks amaaazing! You are the slow cooker queen, girl! xo
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, anyone can dump and go!
Elizabeth Shaw says
I love a great slow cooker recipe! This is brilliant! If my pinterest was working, I’d pin it now! Twitter it is 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, o no!!! What happened?
And thank you xoxo
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners says
I’m always craving Asian flavors in the Spring. I love that fresh, crisp bite that stays with you. This is a great recipe and LOVE slow cooker dinners!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yea!!! Thank you Robyn!
neil@neilshealthymeals.com says
Classic Asian flavours. You got me hooked in, right there, in the first line!
Trouble is Rebecca, how long until Christmas before I can get my slow cooker? I mean it’s my birthday in May, but I’ve already asked Lynne for a whole load of stuff! 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Ahhhhhh! I think this slow cooker situation needs to be your top priority!
Levan says
Stunning! Anything slow cooked always catches my eye — plus it’s infused with orange flavors. Thanks for sharing this recipe! Pinning!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Totally! Slow cooking always leads to good food! Thanks Levan!
Anita @ Live Like You Are Rich says
This recipe looks so delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you!
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness says
TRUTH the slow cooker does take time (the planning thing) but dang it’s one of my favorite appliances EVER!!! This looks so good once again. A meal my family would LOVE!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Hahahaha 😉 Well I hope you can make it sometime! Thanks Chrissa!
Tiffany says
Yum! This looks delicious! Thanks so much for sharing this! Great supper idea!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Than you, Tiffany!
Sana says
I have yet to make a slow cooker meal. I have 0 patience when it comes to cooking. But Orange chicken is my favorite kind of chicken. I was horrified to learn that my meal of orange chicken from panda express is 1200 calories. I clearly need to find an alternative!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, well I can tell you THIS is the alternative 😉
Kaitie says
This is perfect for a weeknight! Easy & delicious! The flavours are perfect for the spring with bright fresh citrus flavours!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yea they!! A perfect warm weather slow cooker meal! Thanks Kaitie!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
One of my favorite flavors but I love how you have made it in the slow cooker and have lightened it up.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I hope this will be a new favorite way to have your favorite 😉
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
This sounds delicious! I love slow cooker meals. I love that you add orange to this, such a delicious flavor.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Right? Chicken and citrus is always so lovely!
Chrystal @ Gluten-Free Palate says
I love that you can throw everything in the slow cooker and go!
Thank you,
Chrystal
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Couldn’t be easier!
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
I can be pretty indecisive about dinner too. I plan ahead a lot and then change my mind as the week goes on. LOL So I don’t use my slow cooker as much as I should either, considering that I am always in a rush around dinner time! This looks really good and I bet my kids would love it too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, yes! Sounds exactly like me 😉 It’s easier to just go with the flow!
Raia says
With all those amazing ingredients I’m sure this dish is a winner! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Mmmhm, thanks Raia!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
My slow cooker is my life savior and keeps my house cool too. I LOVE orange chicken. I so need to make this.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yea! That’s why people need to be using that slow cooker all summer long!
Christine@ Apple of My Eye says
I LOVE anything that can be made in the slow cooker!! It seriously takes so much f the work away and it’s great being able to come home and just dish up dinner without having to dirty up the kitchen :). And any sort of asian flavor? YES PLEASE!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, yes! Depending on your situation it can be the best time savor! But I just love to COOK too much, I’d rather have to work 😉
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
Love that you use real oranges to give the flavor, not a concentrate! Woohoo for real foods!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Ew, never! Haha!
Lisa @ RunWiki says
As a busy Mom of three, I use my slow cooker all of the time– sometimes several times a week! Finding healthy dump recipes is almost a part time job for me. Looks delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Perfect! Well I hope this one makes it in the rotation 😉
Citra Kale @Citra's HOme Diary says
I like your healthy version orange chicken here Rebecca.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you!
lacey@fairytalesandfitness says
This sounds delicious! A healthy version of a Chinese favorite.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! Thank you!
Tawnie Kroll says
Looks wonderful! Gotta love crock pot meals:)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That’s for sure! Thanks, friend!
Marye says
I love Orange Chicken, it is one of my favorite things to order when we get Chinese! This looks so much better! Yum!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It is one of the best 😉 This one’s just a bit more healthy 😉 Hahahaha!