Crock Pot Sesame Chicken (Printable)
Tender chicken in a rich, savory-sweet sesame sauce. Perfect for easy weeknight dining.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
→ Sauce
02 - 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
03 - 1/4 cup honey
04 - 1/4 cup ketchup
05 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
06 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
07 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
09 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
→ Thickening & Garnish
10 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
11 - 2 tablespoons water
12 - 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
13 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
# How-To:
01 - Place chicken thighs in an even layer at the bottom of the slow cooker.
02 - Whisk together soy sauce, honey, ketchup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl until well combined.
03 - Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker.
04 - Cover and cook on low heat for 4 hours until chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
05 - Remove cooked chicken from the slow cooker and shred using two forks or cut into bite-sized pieces.
06 - Whisk cornstarch and water in a small bowl until smooth. Stir into the sauce remaining in the slow cooker.
07 - Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker, stir to coat with thickened sauce, and cook on high for 15-20 minutes until sauce reaches desired consistency.
08 - Serve over steamed rice, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sauce develops this incredible depth that only hours of gentle cooking can achieve, and it clings to every bite of chicken.
- You get that takeout flavor without leaving your house, and the leftovers somehow taste even better the next day.
02 -
- The sauce will seem thin when you first pour it in, but dont be tempted to add more cornstarch early or it will become a gluey mess.
- Letting the sauce bubble gently during the final thickening step is what transforms it from thin cooking liquid to that restaurant-style glaze.
03 -
- Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes before garnishing to bring out their nutty flavor.
- Add a splash more sesame oil right before serving for an aromatic finish that really makes the dish sing.