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Crock Pot Mandarin Chicken Recipe

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4.2 from 6 reviews

This Crock Pot Mandarin Chicken recipe is a flavorful, easy-to-make slow cooker dish that combines tender chicken tenderloins with sweet mandarin oranges, fresh vegetables, and a savory-sweet sauce made from soy and teriyaki. Perfect for a hands-off dinner, it yields a comforting meal served best with steamed rice.

Ingredients

Vegetables

  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped into medium pieces
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh carrots (baby carrots quartered)
  • 1 or 2 broccoli crowns, cleaned and cut into florets

Protein

  • 8–10 frozen chicken tenderloins

Fruit

  • 1 can (15 oz) mandarin oranges in juice, do not drain

Liquids & Sauces

  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce, low-sodium
  • 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce

Other

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons corn starch
  • Steamed rice for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Crock Pot Ingredients: In the Crock Pot, combine chopped onion, carrots, and mandarin oranges with their juice. Add frozen chicken tenderloins directly on top without defrosting. Lightly salt and pepper to help the vegetables release moisture. Pour lemon juice over all ingredients.
  2. Add Sauces: Mix together soy sauce and teriyaki sauce, then pour over the ingredients in the Crock Pot, ensuring even distribution.
  3. Start Cooking: Set the Crock Pot to cook on high for 4 hours to allow the chicken and vegetables to cook thoroughly and the flavors to meld.
  4. Prepare Cornstarch Slurry: At the 2-hour mark, remove a portion of the cooking liquid into a small bowl. Stir in the corn starch thoroughly to create a slurry, which will thicken the sauce.
  5. Thicken the Sauce: Return the corn starch mixture to the Crock Pot and stir gently to combine.
  6. Add Broccoli Florets: Incorporate the broccoli florets into the Crock Pot, mixing lightly. Taste the sauce and add more salt if necessary to balance flavors.
  7. Simmer to Finish: Continue cooking until the carrots are tender but still have some bite, avoiding mushiness.
  8. Prepare to Serve: While the Crock Pot finishes cooking, prepare steamed rice to serve alongside the mandarin chicken.

Notes

  • Do not defrost the chicken before adding it to the Crock Pot; it cooks well from frozen.
  • Adding salt and pepper early helps the vegetables release moisture during cooking.
  • The corn starch slurry helps thicken the sauce for a glossy, rich texture.
  • Broccoli is added later to avoid overcooking and preserve its texture and color.
  • Serve with steamed rice to soak up the delicious sauce.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/crock-pot-mandarin-chicken-recipe/