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!
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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Slow Cooker General Tso Chicken
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
*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.
Carrie says
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.
Ryan Allen says
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Nicole Kendrick says
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!
Ryan Allen says
I am so glad you enjoyed it.