Name: Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 3 h 20 min
Total time: 3 h 30 min
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts; Salt and black pepper to taste; 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce; 5 tablespoons honey; 1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste; 3 tablespoons rice vinegar; 6 cloves garlic, minced; 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger; 2 teaspoons sesame oil; 1 tablespoon water; 1 1/2 teaspoons sriracha (optional); 2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1/4 cup water (for slurry); Sesame seeds; Chopped green onions

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If you’re searching for a hands-off chicken dish that’s packed with bold, crowd-pleasing flavors, look no further than Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe. Tender, juicy chicken simmers in a luscious sauce brimming with the umami of soy, a kiss of sweetness from honey, and zippy aromatics, all finished with a glossy sesame touch. This recipe transforms weeknight routines and makes dinnertime something to look forward to—whether you’re feeding family, friends, or just treating yourself to a truly special meal!

Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s the beauty of Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe—the ingredient list leans simple, but each element is absolutely essential for nailing that irresistible balance of savory, sweet, and tangy. Let’s break down how every ingredient shines in this dish:

Chicken thighs or breasts: Chicken thighs stay ultra-juicy for meltingly tender bites, while breasts create a leaner, satisfying alternative—choose whichever you love best!
Salt and black pepper: Seasoning the chicken first ensures the meat itself is flavorful before soaking up the stunning sauce.
Low-sodium soy sauce: This forms the umami backbone, bringing depth and savoriness without making the sauce too salty.
Honey: Honey brings a beautiful sweetness and helps the sauce become glazey and glossy—absolutely essential for that signature finish.
Tomato paste: Just a touch adds gentle acidity, a deeper red color, and incredible richness to the sauce.
Rice vinegar: Every great Asian-inspired sauce needs a hint of tang, and rice vinegar delivers freshness without overpowering the other flavors.
Garlic: Six cloves let the aromatic garlicky note really shine through.
Ginger: Fresh grated ginger brightens up the whole dish and gives the sauce amazing warmth and energy.
Sesame oil: Sesame oil’s toasty, nutty aroma sets this sauce apart—you’ll notice it right away.
Water: Just enough to help the sauce reach that perfect consistency.
Sriracha (optional): Add a touch for gentle background heat or leave it out if you prefer a milder profile.
Cornstarch: When mixed with water, this thickens the sauce beautifully so it coats every bite.
Water (for slurry): This brings the cornstarch into the sauce smoothly, avoiding lumps.
Sesame seeds: For garnish—tiny seeds, big flavor and irresistible crunch.
Chopped green onions: These bright pops of color and mild onion flavor make the dish really come alive at the table.

How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Season the Chicken

Start with your chicken—thighs for maximum juiciness, or breasts if you love lean, tender meat. Lightly season both sides with salt and black pepper; even this simple step packs big flavor into each bite. Place the chicken in a lightly greased slow cooker for easy cleanup later.

Step 2: Mix Up the Sauce

Grab a medium mixing bowl and whisk together the soy sauce, honey, tomato paste, rice vinegar, minced garlic, fresh grated ginger, sesame oil, a splash of water, and sriracha if you’re using it. You’ll instantly catch a whiff of that incredible sesame aroma mingling with sweet honey—trust me, it’s so good you’ll want to bottle it!

Step 3: Pour, Cover, and Cook Low and Slow

Pour your perfectly balanced sauce right over the chicken in the slow cooker. Make sure every piece gets a glossy coating! Cover, set your slow cooker to LOW, and let the magic happen for 3–4 hours. The chicken turns ultra-tender while soaking up every drop of that delectable sauce.

Step 4: Remove Chicken and Thicken the Sauce

Once the chicken is beautifully tender, carefully take it out and set aside (it may fall apart a little, which is a good sign!). In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 1/4 cup water to make a slurry. Pour this into the sauce in the slow cooker, then cover and cook on HIGH for 15–20 minutes. The sauce will thicken into an irresistible, glossy glaze that clings to every morsel.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Return the chicken to the thickened sauce and give it a gentle toss to coat each piece in that luscious, sesame-honey glaze. Let it heat through for a minute, then serve it over steamed rice. Don’t forget the final flourish: a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds and chopped green onions!

How to Serve Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe

Garnishes

The crowning touches make all the difference. Scatter a generous handful of sesame seeds over the top for satisfying crunch, alongside vibrant green onions for freshness and color. These simple garnishes make Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe pop with personality and flavor—every bit as pleasing to look at as it is to eat.

Side Dishes

This chicken absolutely shines over a bed of fluffy jasmine or brown rice, which soaks up every last drop of that crave-worthy sauce. For a nourishing, balanced meal, try it alongside steamed broccoli, sugar snap peas, or bok choy—the fresh, crisp veggies perfectly offset the rich flavors of the chicken.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re feeling playful, pile the saucy chicken into lettuce cups for a finger food vibe at parties, or spoon it over noodles for a cozy bowl. Leftovers make phenomenal wraps or even exciting grain bowls—Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe is endlessly versatile!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Simply let the chicken cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container (with plenty of extra sauce!). It will keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, making it perfect for meal prep or speedy work lunches.

Freezing

Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe also freezes beautifully! Divide leftovers into freezer-safe bags or containers, tucking in extra sauce to prevent it from drying out. Freeze for up to 3 months; just thaw overnight in the fridge whenever you’re craving that homemade comfort.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the chicken and sauce in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the glaze. For a fast, no-fuss lunch, microwave gently until steaming hot. The flavors only deepen and improve with time!

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Absolutely! While thighs are naturally juicier and more forgiving during slow cooking, chicken breasts are a great leaner alternative and will still soak up all the amazing sauce. You may want to reduce cook time slightly to keep breast meat extra tender.

Is it possible to make this recipe spicier?

Of course! Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe can be as mild or as fiery as you like. For a spicy kick, simply increase the amount of sriracha, add a pinch of chili flakes, or stir in some chili oil before serving.

What’s the best way to shred or slice the chicken?

Once the chicken is cooked and super tender, you can shred it easily with two forks for those saucy pulled chicken vibes, or slice it for a neater presentation. It’s truly up to your preference and occasion.

Can I make this dish ahead for entertaining?

Yes, this recipe is a lifesaver for hosts! Prepare Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe earlier in the day, then let it stay warm in the slow cooker until you’re ready to serve. The chicken gets even more flavorful as it sits in the sauce.

How can I make this gluten-free?

Simply swap out the soy sauce for a gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos, and you’re all set! All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so this dish is easy to adapt for dietary needs.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to shake up your dinner routine with something truly special, you can’t go wrong with Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe. The magic of the slow cooker means maximum flavor and tenderness with minimum fuss. Treat yourself and your loved ones—you’ll be making this one again and again!

Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe

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4.5 from 15 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken recipe is the ultimate dish that combines the sweetness of honey with the savory flavors of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Tender chicken thighs or breasts are slow-cooked to perfection in a delicious sauce and garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken:

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Salt and black pepper to taste

Sauce:

1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
5 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon water
1 1/2 teaspoons sriracha (optional)
2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup water (for slurry)

Garnish:

Sesame seeds
Chopped green onions

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Instructions

Season Chicken: Lightly season chicken with salt and pepper, then place in a lightly greased slow cooker.
Make Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, tomato paste, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, water, and sriracha until well combined. Pour sauce over chicken.
Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or until chicken is tender. Remove chicken and set aside.
Thicken Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with 1/4 cup water to make a slurry. Stir slurry into sauce in the slow cooker, cover, and cook on HIGH for 15–20 minutes until sauce thickens.
Finish: Return chicken to the slow cooker, toss to coat in sauce, and heat through. Serve over rice, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.