This Crockpot Sesame Chicken is a slow-cooked, flavorful dish made with tender chicken and a sweet, tangy sauce. It’s better than takeout and good for you too!
Why you’ll love crockpot sesame chicken
- Easy. You can’t beat a set it and forget it recipe.
- Delicious. Juicy chicken smothered in a sweet, yet tangy sauce. What’s not to love?!
- Nutritious. This recipe is healthier than takeout, but it’s just a tasty.
- Comforting. While this crockpot dish may not be loaded with heavy cream or canned goods, it still warms you from the inside out!
- Versatility. Spoon the saucy chicken over rice, noodles, or veggies.
- Meal Prep Friendly. Make a batch, then portion them out into individual containers for each meals all week.
Ingredients
- Chicken – boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs may be used. Chicken breasts are leaner, but chicken thighs are often juicer and more affordable. Either way, you’ll end up with very tender chicken.
- Sauce: Chicken Broth, Seasoned Rice Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Honey, Ketchup – broth provides a flavorful base for the sauce. Seasoned rice vinegar provides a nice tang, soy sauce adds a depth, and the honey and ketchup provide a subtle sweetness. If you can’t find seasoned rice vinegar, try apple cider vinegar, but only used half the amount listed. Need it sweeter? Add more honey!
- Spices: Garlic, Red Pepper Flakes, Ground Ginger, and Pepper – freshly minced garlic adds a subtle nuttiness, red pepper flakes add heat, and the ginger and pepper provide an earthy warmth. Want more spice? Add more red pepper flakes!
- Cornstarch – whisked into the sauce to thicken.
How to make
- Whisk together broth, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, ketchup, garlic, red pepper flakes, ginger, and pepper, then pour into a greased crockpot.
- Add in chicken, then cover and cook on LOW or HIGH until the chicken has cooked through.
- Cube the chicken, whisk in the cornstarch, then cook until the sauce has thickened.
- Serve over rice or noodles and enjoy!
How bad is sesame chicken for you?
Traditional sesame chicken isn’t the most nutritious dish on the menu, but this recipe is a healthier version of the classic. We ditched the breading and the deep frying and greatly reduced the amount of sugar.
What is the difference between general tsoβs chicken, orange chicken, and sesame chicken?
All three dishes are fried chicken dishes with sweet sauces. General Tso’s is tangy and spicy, orange chicken has a strong sweet and sour orange flavor, and sesame chicken has a nice balance of sweet and savory.
What to serve with crockpot sesame chicken
Sesame chicken is typically spooned over rice. If you’re looking for a more complete meal, try serving this with an appetizer and some veggies!
How to store
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
To enjoy again, thaw in the fridge, if frozen, then heat in the microwave until warm.
– Jennifer
Crockpot Sesame Chicken Recipe
Equipment for this recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup chicken broth divided
- ΒΌ cup seasoned rice vinegar
- ΒΌ cup soy sauce or gluten free alternative
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon ketchup I used an all natural, free of sugar variety - NOTE: there's a mistake in the video, it says sriracha, but it's ketchup π
- 2 cloves garlic minced or pressed
- Β½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or more to taste
- ΒΌ teaspoon ground ginger
- ΒΌ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ΒΌ cup cornstarch
- Sesame seeds, cilantro, and red pepper flakes optional for topping
- Rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice for serving
Recipe Video
Instructions
- Grease a 6 quart crockpot with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Whisk together sauce ingredients: 3/4 cups broth, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, ketchup, garlic, red pepper flakes, ginger, and pepper, then pour half into the prepared crockpot.
- Place chicken into crockpot, then top with the remainder of the sauce.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours.
- Remove chicken from crockpot and set aside.
- In a small bowl whisk the cornstarch and remaining 1/4 cup broth together until smooth, then slowly whisk that mixture into the sauce until well combined.
- Place chicken back into crockpot, cover and cook for an additional 30 mins on HIGH (if you cooked on HIGH before) or 1 hour on HIGH (if you cooked on low before).
- Remove chicken, cut into chunks, then stir back into sauce.
- Serve with your choice of rice and additional toppings and enjoy!
- Take 5 seconds to rate this recipe below. We greatly appreciate it!
Nutrition Information
*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.
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