Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

   Well, hello there!
   We've had a bit of a whirlwind week with family over (10 extra people at one point!), and now we're gearing up for Caleb's birthday party tomorrow. Then on Monday we have more family visiting! Oh, and this visitor is bringing us another horse! Yowza. 
   Anywho, a crock pot recipe in the middle of summer may seem odd....but where I live, it's been fairly chilly most days, and I wanted something comforting. Also, cold or not, we still like to head out and do things that are fun, and coming home to dinner is the best, no matter the season. 
   This slow cooker orange chicken is as basic as it gets, but you could add chopped celery, broccoli, whatever the 'usual' things are that you might find in the take-out version of it. 

Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

Ingredients:

• 2 Chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1 Onion, diced
• 1 Tbsp grated ginger (or 1 tsp dried)
• 1 large orange, zested (not a real word, fyi), and juice squeezed out, about 1/4 cup of juice. If you don't have a real orange you can skip the zest and use store bought orange juice.
• 3 Cloves crushed and sliced garlic
• 1/4 cup Chicken stock (broth)
• 1 Tsp chili flakes
• 1/2 Tsp apple cider vinegar
• 3 Tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1/2 Tsp paprika
• 2 Tsp Sesame Oil
  
• 1 Tbsp sesame seeds (optional)

Method:

1. Place chicken breast pieces into the bottoms of a large crock pot (a 4 quart).
2. Combine all other ingredients, except for the sesame oil and sesame seeds (if using).
3. Pour the mix over the chicken breasts, and toss 'em a bit to combine the chicken and sauce together. 
4. Turn slow cooker onto high for 2-3 hours, or low for 4-6 hours. 
5. When the chicken is ready, stir the sesame oil (and seeds if using) into the chicken.
6. Serve over rice (if not paleo), or eat as it is, with a side of salad or steamed asian veggies (or whatever veggies you want!). 

This is not my photo, I stole it from www.theguardian.com

   Well, that's it! 
   I need to be doing a lot of other things right now, so I'm signing off! Have a great weekend, and I'll be back sometime next week! :)