Slow Cooker Meals

  • Home
  • Newest
  • Recipe Index
  • Fall Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Fall Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • Dinner
  • Subscribe
  • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Fall Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • Dinner
    • Subscribe
    • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker General Tso Chicken

    Published: Aug 15, 2022 · Modified: Nov 30, 2023 by Ryan Allen · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    • Facebook
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe

    Skip the restaurant and make your favorite Chinese takeout at home! This Slow Cooker General Tso Chicken is slow-cooked until tender in a savory sauce that's perfect for serving over rice or noodles. This recipe is simple to follow and is delicious every time!

    Close up of slow cooker general Tso chicken over rice in a white bowl with chopstick in it.

    Chinese takeout is always a great option when you're in the mood, but it can get expensive, and sometimes it's made with less than clean ingredients.

    When you don't want to shell out the cash on takeout, try making the best crock pot general tso chicken from scratch! General Tso chicken is a dish that originates from Hunan province in China. It's made with chicken that's been deep-fried and coated in a sweet and spicy sauce.

    This slow cooker version is not deep fried, making it a healthier option and couldn't be simpler to make! Whisk the sauce ingredients together, add the chicken, and let it slowly cook until tender and flavorful.

    Serve over a bed of steamed rice or noodles, and you've got a delicious meal that the whole family will love!

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    • This crock pot general Tso chicken is made from scratch, which means it's healthier than restaurant versions.
    • It will save you money on expensive Chinese carry-out.
    • This recipe is easy to follow and can be made in a slow cooker, which means less work for you!
    • You can make as little or as much as you like, and it freezes well.

    Ingredients You’ll Need

    • Chicken Breast - This high-protein meat gets super tender when slow-cooked in this sweet and savory sauce.
    • Cornstarch & Water - Mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry that will thicken the sauce as it cooks to coat the chicken.
    • Hoisin Sauce - This popular Chinese sauce adds a savory, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor to the chicken.
    • Low Sodium Soy Sauce - Adds a salty umami flavor to the sauce that is traditional in Asian cooking.
    • Rice Vinegar - Adds an acidic layer of flavor and a bit of sweetness to the sauce.
    • Brown Sugar - Adds even more sweetness to the cooking sauce that balances out the salty notes.
    • Garlic - Gives the dish a bold garlic flavor that pairs well with the rest of the ingredients.
    • Sesame Oil - Adds a rich toasted sesame flavor throughout the chicken.
    • Red Pepper Flakes - Gives this chicken a light kick of heat that can easily be omitted if you don't enjoy spice.
    • Garnish - A mix of chopped green onions and sesame seeds adds texture and flavor to the finished dish.
    • Steamed Rice - This chicken dish is served over rice or your favorite cooked noodles for a full meal.

    How To Make General Tso Chicken In The Slow Cooker

    Thicken the sauce: Whisk the cornstarch and water in a small mixing bowl until no lumps remain. Add the slurry to the bottom of the crock pot.

    Assemble the sauce: To the cornstarch slurry, add the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, and sesame oil. Whisk until well combined.

    Add the chicken: After cutting the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces, add it to the sauce in the crock pot and stir until coated.

    Slow cook the chicken: Cover the crock pot with a lid and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 3½-4½ hours.

    Garnish and serve: While your chicken is slow cooking, steam your favorite rice so it's ready. Serve the chicken over rice and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and green onions. Enjoy!

    Close up of general Tso chicken on a wooden spoon over a Crockpot.

    Recipe Tips

    • When preparing the chicken, make sure you cut it all roughly the same size to ensure even cooking and texture.
    • Don't skip the slurry! Making a cornstarch and water mixture helps the sauce to thicken and coat the chicken as it cooks. Without it, the sauce will be very thin and runny.
    • If you don't have hoisin sauce, you can substitute it with BBQ sauce or even ketchup in a pinch.
    • Use low-sodium soy sauce so your dish isn't too salty.
    • When preparing the chicken, make sure you cut it all roughly the same size to ensure even cooking and texture.
    • Don't skip the slurry! Making a cornstarch and water mixture helps the sauce to thicken and coat the chicken as it cooks. Without it, the sauce will be very thin and runny.
    • If you don't have hoisin sauce, you can substitute it with BBQ sauce or even ketchup in a pinch.
    • Use low-sodium soy sauce so your dish isn't too salty.
    • Rice vinegar is different than white vinegar, so make sure to use the correct ingredient.
    • You can use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar in this recipe, depending on what you have on hand.
    • If you don't care for spice, you can leave out the red pepper flakes.

    Variations

    • Instead of using chicken breast, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs in this recipe.
    • Make this dinner gluten-free by using a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari. Also, be sure to check the other ingredients for any wheat.
    • Add a bit of fresh ginger to the sauce for an extra zing of flavor.
    • For a vegetarian option, use firm tofu that has been pressed and cut into cubes in place of the chicken.
    • Add vegetables to the sauce, including broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, and mushrooms.
    • Instead of rice, try serving the chicken over noodles, quinoa, or cauliflower rice.
    Overhead look at two bowls of genreal Tso's chicken over rice and garnished with green onions.

    Storing & Freezing

    Storing: Once cooled, any leftover chicken with sauce can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container where it will stay fresh for up to five days.

    Freezing: Slow cooker General Tso chicken can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to four months. Thaw the chicken overnight in the fridge before reheating.

    Reheating: Slow cooker General Tso chicken can be reheated on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave. If reheating on the stove, add a splash of chicken broth to the pan to keep the chicken moist.

    FAQ

    Can I use a bottle of store-bought sauce instead?

    I don't recommend it as the sauce will be too sweet and may thicken too much and burn. Making the sauce from scratch allows you to control the ingredients and consistency.

    My sauce is too thick/too thin; what can I do?

    If your sauce is too thick, add a little chicken broth or water to thin it out. If your sauce is too thin, mix some cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Add the slurry to the sauce and cook for an additional 15 minutes until thickened.

    Is Chinese General Tso healthy?

    This dish is healthier than takeout as you can control the ingredients and adjust as needed. For example, using less sugar or opting for a leaner protein like chicken breast.

    Close up of chopsticks holding general Tso's chicken over a bowl of chicken.

    More Easy Crock Pot Chicken Recipes

    • Slow Cooker Honey Bourbon Chicken
    • Crock Pot Crack Chicken
    • Crock Pot Hawaiian Chicken
    • Crock Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken
    • Shredded Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken

    I would love it if you would leave a 5 Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

    Close up of slow cooker general Tso chicken over rice in a white bowl with chopstick in it.

    Slow Cooker General Tso Chicken

    Author: Ryan Allen
    Skip the restaurant and make your favorite Chinese takeout at home! This Slow Cooker General Tso Chicken is slow-cooked until tender in a savory sauce that's perfect for serving over rice or noodles. This recipe is simple to follow and is delicious every time!
    4.77 from 13 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 3 hours hrs
    Total Time 3 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Chinese
    Servings 6
    Calories 404 kcal

    Equipment

    • My Favorite Slow-Cooker
    • Slow-Cooker Liners

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 lbs chicken breasts (cut into bite size pieces
    • ½ cup water
    • ¼ cup cornstarch
    • ½ cup hoisin sauce
    • 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
    • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
    • ⅓ cup brown sugar
    • 3 tsp garlic (minced)
    • 2 tsp sesame oil
    • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
    • ¼ cup green onions (diced / for serving)
    • 1 tbsp sesame seeds (for serving)
    • steamed rice (for serving)

    Instructions
     

    • In a small bowl, add water and slowly whisk in cornstarch. Whisk until there are no longer any lumps. Pour into the Crock-Pot.
    • Add hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, and sesame oil. Whisk until well combined.
    • Place chicken into the slow cooker and mix into sauce until the chicken pieces are coated in sauce.
    • Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 3½-4½ hours.
    • Serve over rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 404kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 33gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 665mgPotassium: 421mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 193IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 2mg

    *Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.

    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Slow Cooker

    • Slow cooker bolognese over a bowl of noodles and garnished with parmesan.
      Slow Cooker Bolognese
    • Shredded Coca Cola chicken in a slow cooker.
      Slow Cooker Coca Cola Chicken
    • Slow cooker monkey bread on a white plate.
      Slow Cooker Monkey Bread
    • Crock Pot honey mustard chicken over a bowl of rice with parsley in the background.
      Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken

    Comments

    1. Carrie says

      August 22, 2022 at 6:34 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe required very little effort to make and was simple and delicious! I appreciate the healthier non breaded version. I will happily make this again.

      Reply
      • Ryan Allen says

        August 22, 2022 at 9:09 pm

        I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe.

        Reply
    2. Nicole Kendrick says

      June 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe turned out amazing. I used gluten free soy sauce and gluten free hoisin sauce to make it a gluten free meal. Everyone at my house really enjoyed it!

      Reply
      • Ryan Allen says

        July 02, 2023 at 4:47 pm

        I am so glad you enjoyed it.

        Reply
    4.77 from 13 votes (11 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Hey, I am Ryan

    Welcome to Slow Cooker Meals. I have created tasty Crock-Pot meals that your family will love. New recipes are posted weekly to help you get out of that dinner rut

    More About Me

    Popular Recipes

    • Crock Pot chicken pot pie in a white bowl with a biscuit in it and a slow cooker in the background.
      Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie
    • Close up of slow cooker creamy tortellini and sausage soup in a white bowl.
      Crockpot Tortellini Soup with Sausage
    • A fork holding holding a piece of crock pot beef tips and gravy over a bowl.
      Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy
    • Three slow cooker shredded chicken tacos on a wood cutting board.
      Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
    • Marry me chicken crock pot served over rice on a white plate.
      Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken
    • Slow cooker beef stew in a white bowl with parsley and a roll in the background.
      Slow Cooker Beef Stew

    Fall Recipes

    • A bowl of Crock-Pot sweet and sour chicken over rice with diced green onions in the background.
      Crock Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken
    • Two bowls of the best Crock Pot chili topped with cheese, fritos, sour cream and green onions.
      Best Crock Pot Chili
    • Close up of salsa verde chicken in a Crock Pot with garnished with cilantro and limes.
      Crock Pot Salsa Verde Chicken
    • Crock-Pot potato soup in a white bowl with cheese and bacon on top.
      Crock Pot Potato Soup
    • Crock pot pepper steak over white rice in a bowl.
      Crock Pot Pepper Steak
    • Overhead look at crock pot salisbury steak meatballs over a bowl of mashed potatoes.
      Crock Pot Salisbury Steak Meatballs

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • FAQ
    • About Us

    Recipes

    • Chicken Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Pork Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Soups

    Connect

    Join our community of slow-cooking enthusiasts on social media!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Slow Cooker Meals is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

    Copyright © 2025 Slow Cooker Meals

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.