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Looking for a healthy, vegan-friendly alternative to your favorite take-out dish? This vegan crock pot orange chicken is just what you need! Tender, fall-apart plant-based chicken is smothered in a delicious citrus sauce and made easy in the crockpot. So good, you’ll never miss the meat!
Vegan Crock Pot Orange Chicken Recipe
Seitan is used as the plant-based chicken
Seitan, made from the gluten proteins in wheat, makes a great meat alternative.
- It takes on the flavors you immerse it in.
- Budget-friendly, much less expensive than animal proteins
- Easy to make at home and often available ready-made in groceries and specialty stores
- 1/2 cup serving has 240 calories and only 1 gram of fat. (source: Women’s Health)
Bell Peppers of Various Colors
We use red and green peppers in this recipe. However, when our homegrown peppers of other colors are ready, we often use those, too. Each color imparts a slightly different flavor. In fact, the green bell peppers are the first stage of the other colors, though some green peppers stay green.
As for nutrients, each color also boasts a slight variation. We think that mixing the varieties offers the best overall nutrient boost. For instance, the red bell peppers are high in vitamin C and antioxidants for eye and cardiovascular health. (source: realsimple.com)
Garlic and Onion, Alliums with Great Nutritional Benefits
Nutrients in the different varieties of garlic and onion vary, making them good complementary vegetables. Generally speaking, Garlic contains more iron than onion, but onion contains more folate.
Both offer quality antioxidants and fiber. Some studies indicate these alliums might help prevent certain cancers, too.(source: aacrjournals.org)
Beyond their incredible health benefits, most of us use them for the flavors they impart. You might try this recipe without them, but we find they add a complexity to the flavor that is missing without them.
Are you ready to try our vegan Crock Pot Orange Chicken Recipe?
If you are looking for a healthy, vegan-friendly dish that’s easy to make, keep reading. We think you will love this Asian-inspired dish.
Slow Cooker Orange Chicken (vegan)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil divided
- 2 pounds seitan cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 1 cup orange juice or juice from concentrate
- 3 tbsp orange peel grated
- ¼ cup soy sauce or use coconut aminoes
- 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp ginger ground
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 cup green pepper chopped
- 1 cup red bell pepper chopped
- 4 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 cup carrots sliced
- 2 tbsp green onion sliced thin for garnish
- 1 orange divided into 4 wedges for garnish
Instructions
- In your slow cooker, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Turn to high setting.
- Mix together the cornstarch and paprika in a large bowl. Add the seitan pieces and mix to coat. Put the coated seitan into the slow cooker.
- Put the orange juice, peel, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, remaining oil, and garlic into a medium bowl and mix well.
- Pour the sauce over the seitan, making sure that all pieces are coated.
- Add the vegetables. Cook on high for 2 hours, then check for doneness. Vegetables should be tender. It might need another 30-60 minutes, depending on your slow cooker.
- Divide onto plates and add garnishes. Delicious served over brown rice.
Nutrition
Ready to try our vegan Crock Pot Orange Chicken recipe?
Why order take-out when you can make a delicious, healthy version of orange chicken at home? This recipe is easy to follow and can be made with easily attainable ingredients. Plus, it’s much better for you than the greasy take-out option. So, give this recipe a try the next time you’re in the mood for Chinese food. We’d love to hear what you think in the comments below.
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