Why Make This Recipe
Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken is perfect for busy weeknights. It brings the taste of your favorite Chinese takeout right to your home, and it doesn’t require much work. Just toss in the ingredients, let the slow cooker do the magic, and you will have a delicious meal ready when you are. This dish is flavorful, satisfying, and sure to please the whole family.
How to Make Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken
Ingredients
- 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
Directions
- Toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch until they are evenly coated.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken to the skillet and brown for 1–2 minutes per side. Do not cook all the way through.
- In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, honey, ketchup, red pepper flakes, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil until well combined.
- Place the browned chicken into the slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or on HIGH for 1.5–2 hours until the chicken is tender and the sauce thickens.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving. Serve hot over cooked rice.
How to Serve Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken
Serve your General Tso’s Chicken over a bed of fluffy rice. You can add steamed broccoli or snap peas on the side for some extra veggies. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds to add color and crunch.
How to Store Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken
Allow any leftovers to cool completely before storing. Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. This dish can also be frozen. For freezing, put the chicken in a freezer-safe container or bag and store it for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Tips to Make Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken
- For extra flavor, let the chicken marinate in the sauce for a few hours before cooking.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to cater to your spice level; add more for extra heat or less for a milder taste.
- You can also use other vegetables like bell peppers or carrots in the slow cooker for a nutritious boost.
Variation
If you want a lighter option, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts. You can also make it vegetarian by substituting chicken with tofu. Just press the tofu to remove excess moisture, cut it into cubes, and follow the same cooking instructions.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but you will need to cook it for a longer time in the slow cooker—around 4–5 hours on LOW.
How can I thicken the sauce?
If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can mix a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water) and stir it into the sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Can I prepare this dish the night before?
Absolutely! You can prep all the ingredients and place them in the slow cooker insert in the fridge. In the morning, simply set the insert back into the slow cooker and turn it on.
Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken
- Total Time: 135 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
Delicious and flavorful General Tso’s Chicken made effortlessly in a slow cooker, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 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
- Toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch until they are evenly coated.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken to the skillet and brown for 1–2 minutes per side. Do not cook all the way through.
- In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, honey, ketchup, red pepper flakes, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil until well combined.
- Place the browned chicken into the slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or on HIGH for 1.5–2 hours until the chicken is tender and the sauce thickens.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving. Serve hot over cooked rice.
Notes
For extra flavor, let the chicken marinate in the sauce for a few hours before cooking. Adjust red pepper flakes to cater to your spice level.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 120 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Chinese