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Easy Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken Recipe

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A simple, set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker sesame chicken recipe that delivers tender, juicy chicken in a glossy, sticky, savory-sweet sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights and better than takeout.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds (about 900g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • ½ cup (120ml) low-sodium soy sauce
  • ⅓ cup (110g) honey
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) sesame oil
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • ¼ cup (60ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons (16g) cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) water
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, for garnish
  • ¼ cup chopped green onions, for garnish
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Trim off any excess fat, but leave a little for flavor. Place them in the bottom of your slow cooker in a single layer if possible.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and chicken broth. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken.
  3. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, or on HIGH for 2.5 to 3 hours. The chicken is ready when it’s fork-tender and easily shreds.
  4. Using two forks, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Leave some larger chunks for texture if desired. Stir everything together so the shredded meat is coated in the sauce.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch and water together until smooth. Pour this slurry into the slow cooker and stir gently. Turn the slow cooker to HIGH (if it isn’t already), cover, and let it cook for another 20 to 30 minutes. The sauce will thicken into a glossy, sticky glaze. Stir once halfway through to prevent clumping.
  6. Once the sauce has thickened, taste it and adjust seasoning if needed—add a pinch of salt, a drizzle of honey for more sweetness, or a splash of rice vinegar for tang. Sprinkle generously with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
  7. Serve immediately over steamed rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice. Drizzle any extra sauce from the slow cooker over the top.

Notes

For an even thicker, more caramelized sauce, transfer the shredded chicken and sauce to a skillet after step 5 and simmer on the stovetop for 5-7 minutes. Pat the chicken dry to prevent watery sauce. Add the cornstarch slurry at the end for best thickening. Toast sesame seeds in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes for deeper flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker sesame chicken, easy sesame chicken, crockpot sesame chicken, Asian chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, meal prep

Find it online: https://bouncybowl.com/easy-slow-cooker-sesame-chicken-recipe/