• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Comfy Belly
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Recipe Collections
  • Shopping List
  • Sign In
  • Join
  • Subscribe
  • About

search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Recipe Collections
  • Shopping List
  • Sign In
  • Join
  • Subscribe
  • About

ร—
Home ยป Gluten-Free

Orange Sesame Chicken {slow cook}

Dec 23, 2013 (updated Apr 19, 2025) (21 Comments)

Orange Sesame Chicken - Comfy Belly

I never thought I'd be making a grain-free, gluten-free, SCD orange sesame chicken using simple, nutritious ingredients including oranges, honey, chicken thighs, and tomato paste.

There was a time in my life when I subsisted on New York City Chinese takeout, late at night after work and a workout. My favorite dish was orange chicken, lightly floured and fried, and then bathed in a syrupy sweet and tangy orange sauce. I doubt I need to describe it any further-I have a feeling you know which dish I'm referring to, especially if you've ever ordered Chinese takeout in America.

Orange Sesame Chicken - Comfy Belly

There's also the timeless tradition of having Chinese food during the end-of-year holidays. Here's a great summary of the Chinese-on-Christmas tradition.

This is the slow-cook version of orange sesame chicken, and I posted the fast-cook version as well. I use an InstantPot, but any slow-cooker will work.

I love eating this dish with steamed vegetables-snap peas, broccoli, cauliflower and carrots or any other favorites. It's great on rice if you eat gluten-free grains, or try the simple stovetop cauliflower rice recipe for grain-free white "rice".

Orange Sesame Chicken - Comfy Belly

This recipe is for members.

Join now

Already a member? Sign in

Keep screen awake while cooking
Keep screen awake while cooking

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Julia says

    December 23, 2019 at 11:17 am

    Hi Erica! I would like to try this in my InstantPot. Have you tried yet? Do you have any suggestions? Also I donโ€™t see the answer to if using a slow cooker, 2-4 hours on HIGH or LOW? In case I use either my slow cooker or slow cook feature on the InstantPot. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Erica says

      December 23, 2019 at 11:58 am

      Good question! I use the InstantPot for this recipe and cook it on the low setting. I just updated the post to add that info. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Julia says

        December 23, 2019 at 12:37 pm

        Thanks so much! Looking forward to making this for Christmas dinner. Might make it a new family tradition to celebrate the 1/2 Jew in me

        Reply
        • Erica says

          December 26, 2019 at 9:23 am

          Ha! Happy holidays ๐Ÿ™‚

          Reply
  2. Lisa says

    April 21, 2014 at 10:03 am

    I needed an orange sauce to baste a duck with. This works wonderful!

    Reply
    • Erica says

      April 21, 2014 at 5:47 pm

      ooh, great idea!

      Reply
  3. Mary Bloom says

    April 17, 2014 at 6:29 am

    Sorry to post 3 times but did not realize the question was posted.

    Reply
    • Erica says

      April 18, 2014 at 12:17 pm

      no worries. all the exceptions and tidbits are usually in the headnotes ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  4. Mary Bloom says

    April 17, 2014 at 6:26 am

    Is this recipe cooked in a slow cooker on low or high for 2 to 4 minutes and also sesame seeds are not listed in the ingredients but they are in the text of the recipe.

    Thank You

    Reply
  5. Mary Bloom says

    April 17, 2014 at 6:22 am

    In the body of the text in this recipe you mentioned sesame seeds but they're not on the ingredients list but even more important is the slow cooker on low or high for 2 to 4 hours ?

    Thank You

    Reply
  6. Mary Bloom says

    April 17, 2014 at 6:21 am

    Just trying my first recipe from your site. In the recipe ingredients you leave out sesame seeds and yet you have them in the body of the text also is the slow cooker on low or high for 2 to 4 hours ?

    Thank you

    Reply
  7. Alyssa Stollwerk says

    January 08, 2014 at 5:27 pm

    Hi Erica,
    I love your website and have your book. Love them both! Thank you for your recipes I have made dozens of them. I want to try this orange chicken tomorrow, but I have 2 questions...can I use breast meat I stead of thighs? And tomato paste is not listed as a legal item on SCD. Could I use diced tomatoes or do you have another suggestion? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Erica says

      January 08, 2014 at 8:18 pm

      Thanks! Yes, chicken breast is fine too, it just cooks faster. tomato paste with no additives is ok with SCD. just check the label to make sure the only thing added is tomatoes (citric acid is ok too).

      Reply
      • Alyssa Stollwerk says

        January 11, 2014 at 9:28 am

        Erica, thanks for clarifying that about tomato paste. Also on the list as illegal is sesame seeds on the Breaking the Vicious Cycle book. Is there something I don't know about sesame seeds because I have been avoiding them.

        Reply
  8. pamela says

    December 29, 2013 at 10:08 am

    Would like a menu plan ie breadfast lunch, dinner and snacks that I can follow
    Thanks for this site. Can't wait to start

    Reply
    • Erica says

      December 29, 2013 at 10:26 am

      Thanks, Pamela! working on it ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  9. Tracy says

    December 25, 2013 at 1:43 pm

    This looks wonderful and I can't wait to try it this week!Thanks!

    Reply
    • Erica says

      December 26, 2013 at 2:04 pm

      it is wonderful - thanks!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Erica in kitchen

Welcome! I'm Erica, a cookbook author and writer. I offer whole food, grain-free, gluten-free recipes, tips, and more. I'm passionate about food and the human microbiome. Also, I love vegetables.

Learn more

Recent comments

  1. Erica on Cinnamon Bun Muffins {coconut flour}October 2, 2025

    Hi Kristen. Great to hear!

  2. Kristen Ortega on Cinnamon Bun Muffins {coconut flour}October 2, 2025

    I tried this recipe with monk fruit and it was so delicious!

  3. Erica on Apple Cider Donuts {coconut flour}October 1, 2025

    Hi Colleen! Whoops! Thank you, I'll add it. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F.

  4. Colleen Henney on Apple Cider Donuts {coconut flour}October 1, 2025

    Hi, What temperature should the oven be at for the coconut flour apple cider donuts?

  5. Erica on Frozen Dipped Banana PopsSeptember 26, 2025

    Wow, 109! Crazy. (sorry this message is years late!)

  6. Erica on Frozen Dipped Banana PopsSeptember 26, 2025

    Yes, I think cocoa butter will work. Sorry this message is years late!

  7. Erica on Fluffy Pancakes {almond & coconut flour}September 18, 2025

    Hi Granina, these won't taste grainy if you use a finely ground blanched almond flour and a fine coconut flour.…

  8. Granina on Fluffy Pancakes {almond & coconut flour}September 18, 2025

    Thanks! This really tasted good! I did burn them at medium heat but still tasted great. They have a grainy…

  9. Erica on Bircher Muesli {grain-free}September 14, 2025

    Hi Linda, yes, coconut yogurt would be great in this!

Footer

Footer

Stay in touch

  • Contact
  • Let's work together
  • About
  • Subscribe

Cookbooks

  • Cooking for the Specific Carbohydrate Diet
  • The Healthy Coconut Flour Cookbook
  • Everyday Keto Baking

Membership

  • Join
  • Account
  • Recipe Collections
  • Shopping List
Copyright © 2025 Comfy Belly | Erica Kerwien. All rights reserved.