Description
Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken is a healthier, hands-off twist on the classic takeout favorite. Tender chicken simmers in a sticky, tangy-sweet sauce for a bold, comforting dinner—perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch chunks)
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- Cooked rice, for serving
- Optional: sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Coat & Brown: Toss chicken with cornstarch. Heat oil in a skillet and brown chicken 1–2 minutes per side. (Do not cook through.)
- Make Sauce: In a bowl, whisk soy sauce, hoisin, rice vinegar, honey, ketchup, red pepper flakes, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.
- Slow Cook: Place browned chicken in slow cooker. Pour sauce over. Cover and cook on LOW 3–4 hours or HIGH 1.5–2 hours, until chicken is tender and sauce thickens.
- Serve: Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot over rice.
Notes
- Browning the chicken first enhances flavor and texture.
- Adjust spice by changing the red pepper flakes amount.
- Add a cornstarch slurry 30 minutes before serving if you prefer thicker sauce.
- Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for a juicier option.
- Make it gluten-free by swapping soy sauce with tamari.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3–4 hours (low) or 1.5–2 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner, Slow Cooker, Asian-Inspired
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup chicken with sauce + rice
Keywords: Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken, Slow Cooker Chinese Chicken, Healthy Crockpot Meals, General Tso’s Chicken recipe, crockpot Asian dinners