Easy Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken

This Easy Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken is sure to become a staple in your dinner rotation! With its flavorful blend of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic, it’s a delightful twist on a classic that you can whip up with minimal effort. Just set and forget it while the crockpot does all the work—what’s not to love?

Why You’ll Love This

What makes this recipe so special? For starters, it’s incredibly easy! With just a handful of ingredients and your trusty crockpot, you can have a delicious meal ready to serve with hardly any hassle. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving something comforting. Plus, the chicken comes out so tender that it practically shreds itself!

The Simple Process

Making Easy Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken is a breeze! You’ll mix a simple sauce, throw everything in the crockpot, and let it slow-cook while you go about your day. Before serving, you’ll thicken the sauce a bit, making it sticky and perfect for spooning over rice. Trust me, it’s as easy as it sounds!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken thighs
• 1 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Green onions for garnish
• Sesame seeds for garnish

Directions

1. In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, hoisin sauce, and red pepper flakes.
2. Place the chicken thighs in the crockpot and pour the sauce over them.
3. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender.
4. About 30 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with a small amount of water to create a slurry, then stir it into the sauce in the crockpot to thicken.
5. Once done, shred the chicken and mix it well with the sauce.
6. Serve over rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

How to Serve Easy Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken

When it comes to serving, the best way to enjoy this dish is over a bed of fluffy rice. The rice soaks up the delicious sauce, making every bite a flavor bomb! You can also pair it with your favorite veggies—think steamed broccoli or snap peas for a fresh crunch. Don’t forget those gorgeous green onions and sesame seeds on top; they not only look great but add a wonderful touch of flavor!

Keeping It Fresh

You might want to make a double batch because leftovers are just as good! To store, let your General Tso’s Chicken cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the fridge for about 3-4 days. If you want to enjoy it longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Just remember to label your container with the date!

Pro Tips

• For the best flavor, let the chicken marinate in the sauce for a couple of hours before cooking.
• Make sure to use good quality chicken thighs—they’re juicier and more flavorful than chicken breasts in this dish.
• If you like it spicy, feel free to toss in more red pepper flakes or serve it with chili sauce!

Try These Variations

Feeling adventurous? Here are a couple of ways to switch things up! You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts if you prefer leaner meat. Want some crunch? Add diced bell peppers or snow peas to the crockpot in the last hour of cooking. If you’re avoiding soy, try using coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a similar taste!

FAQs

Can I make this recipe with boneless chicken breasts?
Yes, you can! Just keep an eye on the cooking time, as chicken breasts will cook a bit faster.

Is it okay to skip the sesame oil?
While the sesame oil adds a lovely depth of flavor, you can use a neutral oil if you don’t have it on hand.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare everything in advance and cook it later in the day. Just keep the ingredients separate until you’re ready to cook.

So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to impress your friends and family with this delicious Easy Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken. Let’s get cooking!

General Tso's Chicken

This Easy Crockpot General Tso's Chicken features a flavorful blend of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic, creating a delightful twist on a classic dish that's perfect for busy weeknights.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 hours hrs

Total Time 8 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese

Calories: 400

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken thighs Use quality chicken thighs for best flavor.
• 1 cup soy sauce Can substitute with coconut aminos for a soy-free option.
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil Can use neutral oil if sesame oil is not available.
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch For thickening the sauce.
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) Adjust based on spice preference.
• Green onions for garnish
• Sesame seeds for garnish

Method

 

Preparation

1. In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, hoisin sauce, and red pepper flakes.

Cooking

1. Place the chicken thighs in the crockpot and pour the sauce over them.
2. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender.
3. About 30 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with a small amount of water to create a slurry, then stir it into the sauce in the crockpot to thicken.
4. Once done, shred the chicken and mix it well with the sauce.
5. Serve over rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

For the best flavor, let the chicken marinate in the sauce for a couple of hours before cooking. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.