If you’re craving bold, sweet, tangy, and just-slightly-spicy takeout flavors at home, this Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken Recipe is about to become your new best friend. It delivers everything you adore about the classic restaurant dish—tender bites of chicken in a rich, glossy sauce—with a fraction of the fuss. The magic here is all in the slow cooker: you just set-it-and-forget-it, and come dinnertime, you have a meal that’s hearty, comforting, and secretly simple to make. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or you want to impress friends without hovering over the stove, this crowd-pleaser always hits the sweet spot.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe has a purpose—some add juicy tenderness, some create signature tang and sweetness, and others offer the glossy sauce and signature finish that make this dish irresistible. Stock up on these essentials, and delight in how a handful of pantry staples come together to create a meal worth sharing.
- Chicken Thighs: Stay juicy and flavorful throughout slow cooking, and bite-sized pieces mean more crispy edges and saucy goodness.
- Cornstarch: Coats the chicken, adding that irresistible light crunch and helping the sauce thicken to practically cling to every bite.
- Vegetable Oil: Allows for quick searing of the chicken, locking in flavor and providing subtle richness.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Lends a salty kick and deep umami, helping to form the savory backbone of the sauce.
- Hoisin Sauce: Adds complexity and a touch of sweetness, giving the sauce its signature glossy color and sticky texture.
- Rice Vinegar: Provides balance with its just-right zing, cutting through the sweetness of the sauce.
- Brown Sugar: Deepens the flavor and gives the sauce its alluring caramel notes.
- Ketchup: Contributes tang and color, while also helping to round out the sweeter notes in the sauce.
- Garlic: Brings warmth and savory depth, elevating the overall complexity.
- Fresh Ginger: Offers bright, peppery freshness and makes the flavors pop.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional): Give you control over the spice; add as much or as little as your heart desires.
- Green Onions: Provide a crisp, fresh bite and beautiful pop of color for garnish.
- Sesame Seeds: Add nutty flavor and a lovely finishing touch on top.
- Cooked White Rice: The perfect, fluffy canvas to soak up every drop of that incredible sauce.
How to Make Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Coat the Chicken
First, toss your bite-sized chicken thigh pieces with cornstarch until every nook and cranny is covered. This not only helps create a delicate, crispy texture on the outside but will also help your sauce achieve that iconic, sticky finish once everything melds together in the slow cooker.
Step 2: Sear for Flavor
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and work in batches to sear the chicken for 2–3 minutes per side. You’re not fully cooking it here—just giving each piece a golden edge, locking in those juices, and building layers of flavor that will carry through the whole dish.
Step 3: Prepare the Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, minced garlic, grated ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). The medley of salty, sweet, and tangy elements set the stage for that quintessential General Tso’s flavor you know and love.
Step 4: Assemble and Slow Cook
Transfer your seared chicken into the slow cooker, then pour the sauce over the top. Give it all a gentle stir to coat each piece thoroughly. Cover and cook on low for 3–4 hours (or high for 1.5–2 hours) until the chicken is cooked through and deliciously tender, and the sauce has thickened beautifully.
Step 5: Serve and Garnish
Spoon the saucy chicken over plenty of hot white rice and finish with a shower of green onions and sesame seeds. The vibrant garnishes don’t just look irresistible—they also add freshness and crunch, rounding out every bite perfectly.
How to Serve Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
The crowning touch for this Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken Recipe is always a combination of color and crunch: scatter plenty of freshly sliced green onions and a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds over the top. These little details bring a restaurant-worthy finish right to your own dinner table.
Side Dishes
This dish is ultra-satisfying with steamed white rice, but you can easily round out the meal with some simply steamed broccoli, snow peas, or a medley of stir-fried vegetables. The savory-sweet sauce works like a charm for drizzling over these sides, making every bite a little more exciting.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to elevate your presentation, try serving the chicken in individual bowls topped with extra fresh herbs or a tiny sprinkle of chili flakes. Another fun twist is to offer lettuce wraps for a lighter, hands-on dinner—pile chicken and rice into crisp lettuce leaves, then add your favorite toppings for a fresh take on the classic.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken Recipe stores like a dream! Let everything cool before transferring to an airtight container, then place it in the refrigerator for up to four days. The flavors actually marry even more as it sits, so leftovers might taste even better the next day.
Freezing
This recipe also freezes perfectly. Simply pop cooled chicken (with sauce) into freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready for a repeat dinner win.
Reheating
Reheat gently in the microwave or a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of water or chicken broth if the sauce has thickened up too much. Serve over fresh rice, and top with fresh garnishes for best results.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts will work just fine, though thighs generally stay juicier and offer a bit more flavor during the slow cooking process. Whichever you use, just be sure to cut into even pieces for consistent cooking.
How can I make this recipe spicier?
If you crave bolder heat, simply increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes in the sauce, or drizzle your finished dish with chili oil or sriracha. You can also add a few sliced fresh chilies for a dramatic kick.
Is it possible to make Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken Recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the soy sauce for tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce, and double-check that your hoisin sauce is gluten-free as well. Everything else in the recipe is naturally free from gluten.
Can I add vegetables to the slow cooker?
Definitely! While broccoli and snow peas are best steamed and stirred in at the end to stay crisp, you could add bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas to the slow cooker during the last hour of cooking for a veggie-packed version.
Why do you sear the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker?
Searing locks in flavor, creates a lovely golden exterior, and helps the cornstarch form a slight crust that thickens the sauce. While you could skip it in a pinch, that quick skillet step really elevates the finished Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken Recipe.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever wished for an easy, reliably delicious takeout-style dinner at home, this Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken Recipe is your answer. It’s cozy, customizable, and just so much fun to make and share. Give it a try—you’re going to want to put this one on repeat all year long!
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Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken recipe is a flavorful and easy Asian-inspired dish that is perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner. Tender chicken pieces coated in a savory sauce, served over white rice, and garnished with fresh green onions and sesame seeds.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Coating:
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated)
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish:
- 2 green onions (sliced)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Serving:
- Cooked white rice for serving
Instructions
- Coat Chicken: Toss the chicken pieces in the cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Sear Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken in batches for 2–3 minutes per side until lightly golden. Transfer the seared chicken to the slow cooker.
- Prepare Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Pour the sauce over the chicken and stir to coat.
- Cook: 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 has thickened slightly.
- Serve: Serve over white rice and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- To make this recipe crispier, broil the chicken pieces for 3–4 minutes after slow cooking.
- Add steamed broccoli or snow peas for extra veggies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (without rice)
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
