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Plate of Slow Cooker General Tso's Chicken garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, served in bright lighting

Slow Cooker General Tso's Chicken

This Slow Cooker General Tso's Chicken is a time-saving, easy dinner solution that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, perfect for busy weeknights!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 5 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon dry ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (adjust to your spice tolerance)
  • Optional garnishes: green onions, sesame seeds, additional red pepper flakes

Method
 

  1. Prep the chicken: Toss the cubed chicken breast with cornstarch in a bowl or plastic bag until evenly coated.
  2. Sear the chicken: Heat a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat with vegetable oil. Brown the chicken on both sides (it doesn’t need to cook through).
  3. Layer into the slow cooker: Transfer the browned chicken into the base of your slow cooker.
  4. Make the sauce: Whisk together hoisin sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, white vinegar, sesame oil, dry ginger, and crushed red pepper in a small mixing bowl.
  5. Cook: Pour the sauce over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are fully coated. Set your slow cooker to low heat and cook for 3-4 hours or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
  6. Serve: Pair with steamed white rice, garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, and sprinkle additional red pepper flakes if you love heat.

Notes

Optional tips: Don't skip browning; double the sauce for more flavor; prep ahead by mixing the sauce the night before; make it healthier with low-sodium soy sauce and less sugar; store leftovers for up to 3 days.