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Crockpot Orange Chicken Meatballs Recipe

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3.8 from 14 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Description

This Crockpot Orange Chicken Meatballs recipe features tender, fully cooked chicken meatballs simmered in a flavorful homemade orange sauce made with orange marmalade, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and a touch of honey. Slow cooked to perfection in a crockpot, these meatballs are served over white rice and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds for a delicious, easy-to-make family meal.

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1 bag (22 oz) fully cooked frozen chicken meatballs

Orange Sauce

  • 1 jar (18 oz) orange marmalade
  • 1/3 cup orange juice
  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 teaspoons hoisin sauce
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger OR ginger paste
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Thickener

  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons cold water

To Serve

  • Cooked white rice
  • Sliced green onion
  • White sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Add Meatballs to Crockpot: Dump the frozen chicken meatballs into the crockpot. For better mixing, you can prepare the sauce separately first, but it’s optional.
  2. Prepare the Orange Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together orange marmalade, orange juice, low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, hoisin sauce, minced garlic, grated fresh ginger (or ginger paste), sesame oil, and garlic powder until well combined.
  3. Combine Sauce and Meatballs: Pour the prepared sauce over the meatballs inside the crockpot and stir everything together to coat all the meatballs evenly.
  4. Cook on Low: Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours. Stir the mixture 1 to 2 times during this period until the sauce is hot and bubbly and the meatballs are tender.
  5. Thicken the Sauce: Mix cornstarch and cold water in a forked combination until smooth. Pour this slurry into the crockpot, keep the lid off, and let it cook on low for another 15 to 30 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  6. Serve: Spoon the orange chicken meatballs and sauce over cooked white rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and white sesame seeds. Enjoy your meal!

Notes

  • Using fully cooked frozen meatballs speeds up the preparation time significantly.
  • You can mix the orange sauce ingredients directly in the crockpot to save dishes, but mixing separately ensures a better blend.
  • Adjust cornstarch slurry amount if you prefer a thinner or thicker sauce.
  • Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness of the dish.
  • This recipe pairs well with steamed vegetables or a side of stir-fried greens for a balanced meal.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American-Chinese

Find it online: https://sarabaking.com/crockpot-orange-chicken-meatballs-recipe/