Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken
Takeout flavor meets slow cooker ease! This Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken is sweet, savory, and just the right amount of tangy heat. The chicken turns tender and juicy while soaking up a bold sauce that tastes just like your favorite Chinese restaurant. Serve it over steamed rice or noodles for a comforting dinner that practically cooks itself.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for browning, optional)
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated (or 1 tsp ground ginger)
- 1/2–1 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to spice preference)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp ketchup (adds sweetness & tang)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (for thickening, optional)
- Sesame seeds & chopped green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Coat Chicken – Toss chicken pieces in 1/4 cup cornstarch until lightly coated. (This helps the sauce thicken as it cooks.)
- Brown (Optional) – Heat oil in a skillet and quickly brown the chicken on each side. This step adds flavor but can be skipped if you’re short on time.
- Make Sauce – In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, broth, ketchup, and sesame oil.
- Slow Cook – Place chicken in the slow cooker, pour sauce over, and stir to coat. Cook on low 4 hours or high 2 hours until chicken is tender.
- Thicken Sauce (Optional) – For a thicker glaze, mix 2 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water, stir into the sauce, and cook an extra 15 minutes.
- Serve – Spoon over rice or noodles, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in meal prep containers up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat in a skillet or microwave.