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Easy Crockpot General Tso's Chicken

Easy Crockpot General Tso's Chicken

Easy Crockpot General Tso's Chicken is your weeknight dinner savior, offering a delicious and authentic taste of your favorite takeout dish with minimal effort.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes or more, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
Optional garnishes
  • toasted sesame seeds
  • sliced green onions

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Medium Bowl
  • Paper towels

Method
 

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This helps the chicken brown slightly if you choose to sear it first (though it's optional for this crockpot method). Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized, 1-inch pieces.
    2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, chicken broth, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ketchup, cornstarch, grated fresh ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Ensure the cornstarch is fully dissolved to prevent lumps in the sauce.
    1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/3 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, 2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  3. Place the cut chicken pieces into the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the prepared sauce mixture evenly over the chicken.
    2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/3 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, 2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  4. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high heat for 3-4 hours, or on low heat for 6-8 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender. The sauce will thicken as it cooks.
  5. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and set aside. If the sauce isn't as thick as you'd like, you can turn the slow cooker to the high setting and let it simmer uncovered for an additional 15-30 minutes, or whisk in another teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of water. Stir in the sesame oil.
    1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
  6. Return the chicken to the slow cooker and toss it with the thickened sauce until evenly coated.
    2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  7. Serve the Easy Crockpot General Tso's Chicken hot over steamed rice. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions for a pop of color and extra flavor.
    toasted sesame seeds, sliced green onions

Notes

This recipe takes 15 minutes of prep time and 3-4 hours of cooking time on high, or 6-8 hours on low. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave. It can also be frozen for up to 2-3 months.