You’re about to discover what lazy cooking looks like… and oh boy, are you going to like it! With just 3 ingredients, this Chinese Mandarin Chicken serves up your favorite sweet and savory flavors almost effortlessly! Just 5 minutes of prep, then your crockpot will take over!
Believe me, you WANT to get lost in this sauce!
The tangy, tempting mandarin teriyaki sauce is just dripping with rich and sweet, and perfectly savory flavor!
Mom in Charleston writes: “My family loved it. Don’t forget how easy it is – dump & cook. Such a lifesaver!”
You certainly won’t have a problem finding your midweek groove with this mandarin chicken happily slow cooking in your kitchen.
With just 3 ingredients, it’s one of those Copycat Restaurant Recipes that take little to no time to get started. Then, your crockpot takes over and does the rest. Sound good?
No kidding, this Panda Express mandarin chicken is as scary close to effortless cooking as you can get!
It’s so simple, doing takeout will seem like it actually requires more effort!
So go ahead and skip the takeout. You’re not going to need it tonight. Because with just one bite, you’ll know that this is THE chicken dinner you’ll want on repeat!
Especially when you can get so much flavor with so little effort… and with every plate scraped clean! Trust me, this flavorful Chinese mandarin chicken is the perfect way to tame a hangry and cantankerous crowd in a hurry!
My family even loved it as much as this copycat Panda Express Sweet Fire Chicken, crowd-pleasing Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken, and my viral Easy Orange Chicken Recipe, too!
Now… here’s what you’ll need to get this easy recipe for mandarin chicken started…
Ingredients
You’ll just need a few simple ingredients to make the BEST mandarin chicken recipe.
Add the following to your next grocery list, so you have everything on hand…
- Chicken – Fresh or thawed.
- Panda Express Mandarin Teriyaki Sauce
- Pineapple Preserves
Like with most of my 3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Recipes, you’ll also need a 5 – 6 quart Crock Pot to prepare your Chinese mandarin chicken.
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItHow To Make Mandarin Chicken
It’s actually SO easy to make this simple mandarin chicken recipe in your slow cooker!
Here’s what you’ll do…
1. Cook the chicken in your crockpot, and then drain and discard the juices.
2. Pour the sauce mixture over your chicken and continue cooking.
3. Once done, serve it up and ENJOY every last delightful bite!
Creating a scrumptious Chinese mandarin chicken recipe with just 3 ingredients and 3 simple steps?!? Talk about easy peasy!
Scroll down for the printable recipe card with detailed, step-by-step instructions.
How To Store
Leftovers of this chicken mandarin recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can reheat your chicken the next day for another easy weeknight meal, making this a fabulous High Protein Meal Prep solution!
What to Serve with Chinese Mandarin Chicken
Easy Asian Recipes like this Chinese mandarin chicken go great with a variety of sides. To start, you can slice up your chicken and serve it with salad… to create a phenomenal mandarin chicken salad!
Then, try adding some of these Delicious Dinner Sides to your chicken dinner:
- White, Brown, Fried, or Cauliflower Rice
- Chow Mein or this Teriyaki Noodles Recipe
- Crab Rangoons or Cream Cheese Rangoons
- Egg Rolls
- Potstickers dipped in this Potsticker Dipping Sauce
- Spring Rolls
- Sweet Coleslaw Recipe
- Uncle Ben’s 90 second Teriyaki Rice
Reviews
Here’s what your frugal friends are saying about this Chinese mandarin chicken recipe…
B. writes: “Quick and easy”
Tara writes: “Yummy”
Kim writes: “So tasty!”
Dawn writes: “Quick and easy to put together.”
Mom in Charleston writes: “My family loved it. Served over rice, it is lovely and flavorful. Don’t forget how easy it is – dump & cook. Such a lifesaver!”
Larissa writes: “Easy to make!”
Lori writes: “Awesome”
Traci writes: “Dinner doesn’t get easier than this”
Stacey writes: “Came out great!”
Ryan writes: “So yummy and easy to make”
Jane writes: “I made this for my son and his family and, alas, it was so delicious there were no leftovers to enjoy the next day. So I sent the recipe to my sister. When she made it my brother-in-law said it was the best chicken she had ever made. Delicious!!”
More Asian Food Recipes for Dinner
Crockpot
Honey Sesame Chicken
Crockpot
Kung Pao Chicken Recipe
Crockpot
General Tso Chicken Recipe
Appetizers
Teriyaki Meatballs
Crockpot
Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
Crockpot
Honey Garlic Pork Chops
Did You Enjoy This Recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a comment & review below!
Chinese Mandarin Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, (fresh or thawed)
- 10 ounces Panda Express Mandarin Teriyaki Sauce , (15 tablespoons)
- 9 ounces Pineapple Jam or Preserves
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients.
- Cook chicken in crockpot on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 6 hours. (covered)
- After 3 hours on HIGH or 6 hours on LOW, drain juices from Crockpot.
- Mix together Pineapple Preserves and Mandarin Teriyaki Sauce in a medium mixing bowl.
- Pour mixture over chicken, and cook on HIGH for 30 more minutes, or until done. (covered)
Notes
- How To Store: Leftovers of your Chinese mandarin chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can reheat the next day for another easy weeknight meal!
- FAQ’s: For answers to Frequently Asked Questions or tips for common substitutions and variations, please refer to the detailed information above this recipe card.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
I made this tonight and it was wonderful. The whole family liked it. Thanks so much for posting this recipe. Easy and tastes great! I also made a fried rice recipe from Pinterest to go along with it.
Definitely will make again.
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it! Fried rice sounds like a delicious side. 🙂
What size Crockpot do you use- Do you layer the Chicken.
Hi Patricia ~ 5 – 7 quart crockpots work great for this recipe, and laying the chicken flat {not layering} works best. Hope that helps! 🙂
Hi Heidi! If I use half the ingredients, do I alter the cooking time?
Yes, it will cook faster and you’ll need to keep an eye on it.
Just made this last night and it was AWESOME! I couldn’t find plain Pineapple Preserves, so used a mix of Pineapple Apricot and Orange Marmalade. Delicious!!
Sounds delicious, Jessie… great substitute! 😉
I was just wondering do you cook it on high or low? Looks delicious !!!
Sorry just read the directions again I found it.
Hi there! Any substitutes for the pineapple preserves? I can’t find this in any of my local stores! or any hints on where to look!? dying to try this dish!
Hi, I was having the same problem and decided to try it with apricot-pineapple preserves instead. Came out delicious. 🙂
This sounds amazing for my gramma she loves the sweet and sour type sauces!!! And she’s always up for new eats!! And I’m always up for EASY!!! Thanks
You’re very welcome! 🙂
This pineapple chicken is SUPER EASY!!
And taste really GOOD!! Thank you for sharing the recipe:)
Aww ~ thanks, Nikki… I’m so glad you loved it! 😉
Sounds great but no liquid at first? Chicken won’t stick to the crock? Won’t the chicken dry out? Sounds delish otherwise
Hi Linda ~ no water is required in the crockpot with the chicken… it will end up cooking in its own juices. Hope that helps! 😉
How do you cook the chicken? With water in the crockpot?
Hi Emily ~ you won’t need to add any water… the chicken will cook in its own juices that are released. Hope that helps! 😉
What would happen if I didn’t drain the juices after 3 hours? I’m wondering because I usually throw everything in and not worry about it until dinner. these recipe’s look so good and I’d like to try them all. Is it just a matter of everything being watered down maybe? Or could we get sick if I don’t? (It’s chicken so I’m nervous) Thanks!
Hi Char ~ it’s not necessary to drain the juices… I just like to because you end up with a much thicker sauce in the end. 😉 If you aren’t around to do that, then yes… you could definitely add all ingredients at the beginning and will have a thinner sauce in the end. Hope that helps!
Oh my gosh I want to eat at your house lol
Seriously this sounds so yummy! Thank you for sharing
Haha… it’s SO easy, Stephanie ~ you’ll love it! 😉
~ Heidi