The Ultimate Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken (Sweet & Spicy!)
Imagine your favorite Chinese takeout order—that perfect, addictive General Tso’s chicken with its signature sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce. Now, imagine it’s waiting for you, hot and ready, the moment you walk in the door after a long day. That, my friends, is the weeknight-saving, flavor-packed magic of this Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken. This is, without a doubt, the easiest and most delicious way to create this restaurant classic at home.
I promise you, this recipe is a true game-changer. The sauce is a perfect symphony of sweet, savory, and spicy that thickens into a beautiful, glossy glaze at the end. I’ve made this dish countless times on busy weekends, and it never fails to impress. It’s a family-favorite that will have you skipping the takeout line for good.
Get ready to create the most delicious, tender, and effortless General Tso’s chicken of your life, a dish that will become a permanent star in your dinner rotation.
Why This Crockpot General Tso’s is Better Than Takeout
You are going to be completely blown away by the flavor and tenderness of this dish. It’s a true weeknight hero. Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Melt-in-Your-Mouth Tender Chicken: Slow cooking the chicken thighs makes them unbelievably tender and juicy—a texture you just can’t achieve with a quick stir-fry.
- The Perfect Sweet, Tangy & Spicy Sauce: The sauce is the star, and this one is perfectly balanced, thickening at the end into a rich, glossy glaze that coats every piece of chicken.
- A True “Set It and Forget It” Meal: With just a few minutes of prep to cube the chicken and whisk a sauce, your slow cooker does all the hard work.
- Incredibly Simple with Huge Flavor: This recipe uses a handful of pantry staples to create a deeply flavorful, restaurant-quality dish with minimal effort.
- Healthier and Customizable: By making it at home, you control the ingredients. You can adjust the sweetness and spice level to your exact preference, and it’s so much healthier than deep-fried versions.
Recipe Snapshot
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 4 hours 30 minutes |
| Total Time | 4 hours 40 minutes |
| Servings | 4 servings |
| Calories | 480 kcal per serving (estimated) |
| Course | Main Course |
| Cuisine | Chinese-Inspired |
| Difficulty/Method | Easy / Slow Cooker |
Your Shopping List for This Takeout Classic
This impressive dinner comes together with a handful of simple, flavor-packed ingredients.
→ For the General Tso’s Chicken
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs → Cubed into 1-inch pieces. Thighs are essential for juicy, tender results in the slow cooker.
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce → The secret weapon for a deep, savory, and slightly sweet flavor base.
- ¼ cup soy sauce → Use low-sodium to better control the final saltiness.
- ¼ cup rice vinegar → Provides the signature tangy brightness that cuts through the richness.
- 3 tbsp sugar → For that classic General Tso’s sweetness. Brown sugar also works well.
- 2 garlic cloves → Minced. Fresh garlic is a must for the best flavor.
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes → This is where the heat comes from! Adjust to your personal spice preference.
- 2 tbsp cornstarch → Used at the end to thicken the sauce into a perfect, glossy glaze.
Let’s Get Cooking! Your Slow Cooker Guide
Ready for the easiest, most flavorful General Tso’s chicken ever? Let’s get that crockpot going.
Part 1: The Slow Cook
- Load the Crockpot: Place your cubed chicken thighs into the basin of your slow cooker.
- Whisk the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes until the sugar is dissolved.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken in the crockpot and stir to make sure all the pieces are coated. Place the lid on and cook on LOW for 4 hours.
Part 2: Thicken and Serve
- Make the Slurry: During the last 30 minutes of cooking, prepare your cornstarch slurry. In a small bowl, whisk the 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with ¼ cup of cold water until it’s completely smooth and free of lumps.
- Thicken the Sauce: Pour the cornstarch slurry into the crockpot and stir it into the sauce until well combined.
- Final Cook: Place the lid back on and continue to cook on LOW for the final 30 minutes. This will allow the sauce to thicken beautifully into a rich, glossy glaze.
- Serve: Serve the hot chicken and sauce immediately over a bed of steamed rice and with a side of steamed broccoli.
Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken with a Sweet and Spicy Sauce
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
- Place the cubed chicken thighs in the crockpot and pour the sauce mixture over top. Stir to coat. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
- In the last 30 minutes of cooking, prepare the cornstarch slurry by whisking the cornstarch with 1/4 cup of cold water in a small bowl until smooth.
- Stir the cornstarch slurry into the sauce in the crockpot. Cover and continue to cook on low for the final 30 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.
- Serve immediately over steamed rice.
Notes
WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Perfection
These simple secrets will ensure your slow cooker General Tso’s is a massive success.
- Chicken Thighs are a Must. I cannot stress this enough for slow cooker recipes. Chicken thighs are naturally more flavorful and have a higher fat content, which keeps them incredibly moist and tender over the long cooking time. Breasts will likely turn out dry and stringy.
- The Cornstarch Slurry is Crucial. Don’t skip this final step! It’s what transforms the thin cooking liquid into the thick, rich, glossy sauce that defines General Tso’s chicken.
- Always Use a COLD Slurry. Make sure you whisk your cornstarch into cold water before adding it to the hot crockpot. Adding cornstarch powder directly to hot liquid will create stubborn clumps.
- Adjust the Spice to Your Liking. One teaspoon of red pepper flakes provides a nice, mild background heat. If you love spicy food, feel free to increase it to 1.5 or even 2 teaspoons. If you’re sensitive to heat, reduce it to ½ teaspoon.
- Cut Chicken into Uniform Pieces. For the most consistent results, try to cut your chicken thighs into similar-sized 1-inch cubes. This ensures every piece is perfectly cooked and tender.
Keep It Fresh! Storing & Reheating Instructions
This dish makes for fantastic leftovers and is perfect for meal prep.
- Refrigerator: Once cooled, store the chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will get even better overnight!
- Reheating: Gently reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave individual portions until hot.
FAQs: Your Crockpot General Tso’s Questions, Answered!
Can I make this with chicken breasts?
You can, but the texture will be different and it’s much more prone to drying out. If you must use chicken breasts, I recommend reducing the cooking time to 2.5-3 hours on low to prevent them from becoming tough and stringy.
How can I add vegetables to this dish?
This is a great idea! For a classic pairing, add 2-3 cups of fresh broccoli florets to the crockpot during the final 30 minutes of cooking, at the same time you add the cornstarch slurry. They will steam to a perfect crisp-tender texture.
My sauce isn’t thick enough. What should I do?
If your sauce isn’t as thick as you’d like after the final 30 minutes, you can leave the lid off and turn the crockpot to HIGH for another 15-20 minutes to help it reduce. Alternatively, you can make another small slurry with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir that in.
What should I serve with General Tso’s Chicken?
It is classically served over steamed white or brown rice to soak up all the delicious sauce. A side of steamed broccoli, bok choy, or green beans also makes a perfect, healthy accompaniment.
Final Thoughts: Your New Takeout Fake-out Favorite
There is nothing more satisfying than recreating a beloved restaurant favorite at home, especially when it’s this easy and delicious. This Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken delivers all the sweet, tangy, and spicy flavor you crave in a simple, hands-off recipe. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner that will save you money and impress your family. I hope it becomes a regular star in your meal rotation. Happy Cooking!
