Description
Slow cooker General Tso's chicken offers a simple and delicious way to enjoy this classic Chinese-American dish. Tender chicken cubes are lightly browned then slow cooked in a sweet, savory, and mildly spicy sauce infused with hoisin, soy, garlic, and ginger flavors. This recipe makes for an easy, hands-off meal that rivals takeout but is made with wholesome ingredients from your own kitchen.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into one inch cubes
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Sauce
- 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon dry ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper, more or less to liking
Optional Garnish
- Green onions
- Sesame seeds
- Additional red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Coat the Chicken: In a bowl or plastic bag, combine the cubed chicken breasts with the cornstarch. Toss or shake until the chicken pieces are fully coated, which helps create a lightly crisp texture when partially cooked.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken pieces and cook until they turn a light golden brown but are not fully cooked through. This step adds flavor and a slight crust. Transfer the browned chicken into the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, dry ginger, and crushed red pepper until well combined to create the signature sweet and spicy General Tso's sauce.
- Cook in Slow Cooker: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. Cover and set the cooker to low heat. Let it cook for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken is cooked through, tender, and infused with the rich flavors of the sauce.
- Serve and Garnish: Once done, serve the General Tso's chicken hot over cooked rice. Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and additional red pepper flakes if desired for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For best texture, do not skip browning the chicken before adding to the slow cooker.
- Adjust crushed red pepper amount to suit your preferred level of spiciness.
- Cooking on low for 3 to 4 hours ensures tender and well-flavored chicken; do not overcook to avoid dryness.
- This recipe serves 5, making it ideal for families or meal prep.
- Garnishes like green onions and sesame seeds add freshness and a nice crunch but are optional.