Effortless Sesame Chicken: A Delicious Slow Cooker Recipe

Craving the savory-sweet goodness of sesame chicken but dreading the effort of stir-frying? Look no further! This slow cooker sesame chicken recipe is your answer to a flavorful and incredibly easy weeknight meal. Imagine coming home to the tantalizing aroma of tender chicken simmered in a rich, glossy sesame sauce. This recipe delivers exactly that, with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

This isn’t just another slow cooker recipe; it’s a game-changer. Forget standing over a hot stove, constantly stirring and monitoring. Simply toss the ingredients into your slow cooker, set it, and forget it. Hours later, you’ll be rewarded with perfectly cooked chicken, infused with the irresistible taste of sesame, ginger, garlic, and a touch of sweetness. Serve it over fluffy rice or noodles, and you’ve got a complete and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.

## Why This Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken Recipe Works

Several factors contribute to the deliciousness and ease of this recipe:

* **Slow Cooking:** The slow cooking process allows the chicken to become incredibly tender and absorb all the flavors of the sauce. This results in a much richer and more flavorful dish compared to quicker cooking methods.
* **Simple Ingredients:** The recipe uses readily available ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your pantry.
* **Minimal Prep:** With just a few minutes of prep work, you can have this dish simmering away in your slow cooker. No complicated techniques or fancy equipment required.
* **Customizable:** Feel free to adjust the sweetness, spice level, and consistency of the sauce to your liking. Add vegetables for a more complete meal.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** You can easily prepare the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for a day or two. This makes it even easier to throw together on a busy weeknight.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather the following ingredients:

* **Chicken:** 2-2.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces).
* **Soy Sauce:** 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce. Low-sodium is recommended to control the saltiness of the dish.
* **Honey:** 1/4 cup honey. Provides sweetness and helps create a glossy sauce.
* **Sesame Oil:** 2 tablespoons sesame oil. Adds a distinct nutty flavor.
* **Rice Vinegar:** 2 tablespoons rice vinegar. Adds a touch of tanginess and balances the sweetness.
* **Garlic:** 4 cloves garlic, minced. Provides a pungent and savory flavor.
* **Ginger:** 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced. Adds warmth and a subtle spicy note.
* **Cornstarch:** 2 tablespoons cornstarch, mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (for thickening).
* **Sesame Seeds:** 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, for garnish.
* **Green Onions:** 2 green onions, thinly sliced, for garnish.
* **Optional:** Red pepper flakes (for spice), vegetables (broccoli, carrots, bell peppers).

## Equipment

* Slow cooker (4-quart or larger)
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Whisk
* Knife and cutting board

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your delicious slow cooker sesame chicken:

**Step 1: Prepare the Chicken**

* If using chicken breasts, cut them into 1-inch pieces. Chicken thighs can be added whole or cut into similar sized pieces.
* Place the chicken in the slow cooker.

**Step 2: Make the Sesame Sauce**

* In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and minced ginger.
* Pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker.

**Step 3: Cook the Chicken**

* Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Cooking time may vary depending on your slow cooker. The chicken is done when it is cooked through and easily shreds with a fork. It should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

**Step 4: Thicken the Sauce**

* In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. This is your cornstarch slurry.
* During the last 30 minutes of cooking time, stir the cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker.
* Cover and continue to cook until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.

**Step 5: Serve and Garnish**

* Serve the sesame chicken over cooked rice, quinoa, or noodles.
* Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
* Optional: Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.

## Tips and Variations

* **Adjust the Sweetness:** If you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the amount of honey.
* **Spice it Up:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or garnish with sriracha for a spicy kick.
* **Add Vegetables:** For a more complete meal, add vegetables such as broccoli florets, sliced carrots, or bell peppers to the slow cooker during the last hour of cooking.
* **Use Different Cuts of Chicken:** While this recipe calls for chicken thighs or breasts, you can also use other cuts of chicken, such as drumsticks or wings. Cooking times may need to be adjusted accordingly.
* **Make it Gluten-Free:** Use tamari instead of soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.
* **Add Pineapple:** Add chunks of pineapple during the last hour of cooking for a tropical twist.
* **Ginger Garlic Paste:** Use ginger garlic paste instead of fresh ginger and garlic to save time.

## Serving Suggestions

This slow cooker sesame chicken is delicious served over:

* Cooked white rice
* Brown rice
* Quinoa
* Noodles (such as soba or udon)
* Cauliflower rice (for a low-carb option)

It can also be served as a filling for lettuce wraps or tacos.

## Storage and Reheating

* **Storage:** Leftover sesame chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat the chicken in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through. Add a splash of water or broth to the sauce if it has thickened too much.

## Detailed Recipe Card

**Recipe Name:** Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken

**Prep Time:** 10 minutes

**Cook Time:** 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)

**Yield:** 6-8 servings

**Ingredients:**

* 2-2.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces)
* 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
* 1/4 cup honey
* 2 tablespoons sesame oil
* 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch
* 2 tablespoons cold water
* 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, for garnish
* 2 green onions, thinly sliced, for garnish
* Optional: Red pepper flakes (for spice), vegetables (broccoli, carrots, bell peppers)

**Instructions:**

1. Place the chicken in the slow cooker.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and minced ginger.
3. Pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker.
4. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken is done when it is cooked through and easily shreds with a fork. It should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
5. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth.
6. During the last 30 minutes of cooking time, stir the cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker.
7. Cover and continue to cook until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
8. Serve the sesame chicken over cooked rice, quinoa, or noodles.
9. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
10. Optional: Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.

**Notes:**

* Adjust the sweetness and spice level to your liking.
* Add vegetables for a more complete meal.
* Use tamari instead of soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.

## Nutritional Information (Estimated)

*Please note that the following is an estimate and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes.*

* Calories: Approximately 350-450 per serving
* Protein: 30-40 grams
* Fat: 15-25 grams
* Carbohydrates: 20-30 grams

## Conclusion

This slow cooker sesame chicken recipe is a winner because it delivers incredible flavor with minimal effort. The tender chicken, the rich and glossy sauce, and the simple preparation make it a perfect weeknight meal. Give it a try, and you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to create restaurant-quality sesame chicken in your own kitchen. Enjoy!