Description
This Crock Pot Sesame Chicken recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken slow-cooked to perfection in a savory-sweet sesame sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, it combines effortless slow cooking with rich, balanced Asian-inspired flavors, making it a family-friendly, fuss-free meal that’s bursting with delicious textures and taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 6–8 chicken thighs (bone-in preferred for extra flavor)
- 1/3 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 3 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
Thickening and Garnishes
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water (for cornstarch slurry)
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey or brown sugar, sesame oil, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger until well combined to form a flavorful sauce base that will coat the chicken beautifully.
- Add Chicken to Crock Pot: Place the chicken thighs in an even layer at the bottom of the crock pot to ensure consistent cooking throughout.
- Pour Sauce Over Chicken: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken thighs so every piece becomes infused with the savory-sweet flavor.
- Slow Cook: Cover with the lid and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and fully absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- Thicken the Sauce: About 30 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then stir it into the crock pot. Continue cooking to thicken the sauce to a glossy, sticky consistency that clings nicely to the chicken.
- Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds and freshly sliced green onions over the chicken to add a delightful crunch and fresh pop of color.
Notes
- Use bone-in chicken thighs for extra moisture and deeper flavor during slow cooking.
- Don’t skip the cornstarch slurry step to thicken the sauce; it enhances texture and flavor adhesion.
- Lightly toast the sesame seeds beforehand to intensify their nutty aroma and crunch.
- Prepare rice or preferred sides in advance for quick meal assembly.
- Taste the sauce before cooking and adjust the sweetness with more honey or sugar if desired.
- For a spicy variation, add red pepper flakes or Sriracha to the sauce mix.
- Vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers can be added in the last hour for added nutrition and crunch.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt levels or tamari to keep the recipe gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1-2 chicken thighs with sauce)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: crock pot sesame chicken, slow cooker sesame chicken, easy sesame chicken, gluten free sesame chicken, slow cooked chicken recipe