If you’re craving a dish that’s bursting with sweet and savory flavors, tender chicken, and that irresistible sticky glaze, then you’re going to fall head over heels for this Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe. It’s a comforting meal that practically cooks itself, making it perfect for busy days when you want to come home to a delicious dinner that feels like a treat. With every bite, you get a lovely balance of honey’s natural sweetness, the nuttiness of sesame, and the zing of garlic and ginger, all melding beautifully thanks to the slow cooker’s magic. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just dipping your toes into slow cooker meals, this recipe is an absolute winner to add to your dinner rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, pantry-friendly ingredients is what makes this Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe both approachable and incredibly tasty. Each element plays a crucial role, from the juicy chicken thighs providing rich texture to the vibrant garlic and ginger adding zest, ensuring your sauce is packed with flavor and color.
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs: Choose thighs for their juicy, tender texture that holds up perfectly in the slow cooker.
- Honey: This natural sweetener balances the savory components and creates that signature sticky glaze.
- Low-sodium soy sauce: Provides essential umami without overpowering the dish with saltiness.
- Ketchup: Adds a hint of tang and depth to the sauce.
- Rice vinegar: Brightens the sauce with subtle acidity to cut through the sweetness.
- Sesame oil: Delivers a fragrant, nutty aroma that complements the chicken beautifully.
- Minced garlic: Gives the dish a warm, inviting flavor base.
- Grated ginger: Infuses a fresh zing that balances sweetness perfectly.
- Cornstarch: Used to thicken the sauce to that perfect glossy consistency.
- Water: Combines with cornstarch for the slurry to thicken the sauce evenly.
- Sliced green onions: Garnish for a fresh, crisp bite and beautiful pop of green.
- Toasted sesame seeds: Adds texture and eye-catching detail on top.
How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Layer the Chicken
Start by placing your boneless, skinless chicken thighs evenly in the bottom of your slow cooker. This ensures each piece cooks uniformly, soaking up all those incredible flavors.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, low-sodium soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger until fully blended. This mixture is going to be your flavorful, sticky sauce that coats the chicken perfectly.
Step 3: Coat and Cook
Pour the sauce over the chicken thighs, making sure each is well-coated for maximum flavor infusion. Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is irresistibly tender.
Step 4: Shred and Thicken
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Next, mix the cornstarch and water together to make a smooth slurry. Stir this slurry into the cooking sauce and switch your slow cooker to high heat for about 10 minutes. This step thickens the sauce into that glossy, luscious consistency we all love.
Step 5: Combine and Finish
Return the shredded chicken to the thickened sauce, stirring well to make sure every shred is coated in sticky honey sesame goodness. Now your meal is ready for serving!
How to Serve Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Naturally, sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds are a must. They add freshness, crunch, and that final pop of color that makes this dish not just delicious but also visually appealing.
Side Dishes
This chicken pairs beautifully with fluffy white rice, nutty quinoa, or even your favorite noodles. For an extra boost of nutrients and crunch, steamed broccoli or crisp snap peas bring a wonderful contrast that balances the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving this honey sesame chicken in lettuce wraps for a light, fresh bite or spoon it over a vibrant bed of stir-fried vegetables for a colorful, wholesome meal. Leftovers even make fantastic fillings for sandwiches or rice paper rolls to shake things up the next day.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making your next meal even more satisfying.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully. Portion the chicken and sauce into freezer-safe containers, and store for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the chicken in a pan over medium heat or microwave until heated through, stirring occasionally to keep the sauce silky and evenly distributed.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, you can swap in chicken breasts, but keep in mind they cook faster and might be a little less juicy than thighs, so adjust your cooking time accordingly.
Is it possible to make this recipe without cornstarch?
Absolutely! You can skip the cornstarch, but the sauce will be thinner. If you want a thick glaze without cornstarch, try reducing the sauce by cooking it uncovered for a bit toward the end.
Can I make this recipe vegan or vegetarian?
While this recipe is designed for chicken, you can use firm tofu or cauliflower florets as substitutes and follow the same sauce and cooking method for a delicious plant-based option.
What’s the best way to get that sticky glaze texture?
The key is shredding the chicken after slow cooking and then thickening the sauce with cornstarch and water slurry. This step transforms the sauce into a shiny, sticky coating that clings to every bite.
Can I prepare this recipe in advance?
Yes! You can assemble the ingredients shortly before cooking or even prepare the sauce in advance. Just store the sauce separately and combine everything in the slow cooker when you’re ready.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting about coming home to a Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe that’s been quietly bubbling away all day, filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas. It’s simple, delicious, and versatile, making it a go-to meal for any night of the week. I can’t wait for you to try it and experience just how easy it is to create a restaurant-quality dish right at home.
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Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken is a flavorful and tender dish featuring juicy chicken thighs cooked in a sweet and savory honey-soy sauce with garlic and ginger. Perfectly easy to prepare with minimal effort, it’s ideal for busy weeknights and serves up beautifully over rice, quinoa, or noodles. Finished with fresh green onions and toasted sesame seeds, this Asian-inspired recipe offers comforting home-cooked goodness with a touch of tangy sweetness.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
Thickener
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Garnish
- 3 sliced green onions
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Place the boneless skinless chicken thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker, spreading them out evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
- Make the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, low-sodium soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Cook the chicken: Pour the sauce over the chicken thighs, making sure each piece is well coated. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is fork-tender and fully cooked through.
- Shred the chicken: Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Set aside.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir this slurry into the sauce remaining in the slow cooker. Turn the slow cooker to high and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir thoroughly to coat the chicken evenly with the thickened honey sesame sauce.
- Serve and garnish: Dish out the honey sesame chicken and top with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for added flavor and crunch. Enjoy over your choice of rice, quinoa, or noodles, optionally alongside steamed vegetables.
Notes
- Serve this dish over rice, quinoa, or noodles to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Add steamed broccoli, snap peas, or other vegetables to make it a complete meal.
- Chicken breasts can be substituted but tend to cook faster and may be less juicy than thighs.
- If sauce is too thick, stir in a small amount of water to reach desired consistency.
- For a spicier kick, add crushed red pepper flakes when making the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
