Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 medium-large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ⅓ cup corn starch
- 2 tablespoons oil
- ½ cup cold water + 2 tablespoons corn starch
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 6 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- sesame seeds
for topping
Directions
- 1
Chop chicken into 2 inch pieces. Add to a large resealable bag and add corn starch. Seal and shake to coat chicken.
- 2
Drizzle a large skillet with the oil and preheat over medium-high heat. Add chicken and saute 1-2 minutes (just to brown the very outside, chicken should not be cooked through) and remove from heat. Add to a greased slow cooker.
- 3
Whisk together the cold water and corn starch til dissolved. Add soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, garlic, ketchup, and rice vinegar and whisk to combine.
- 4
Poor sauce over the chicken. Cover and cook on low 3 hours. Serve over cooked rice and garnish with sesame seeds if desired.
Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken
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Based on 93 ratings
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About this Recipe
Craving a flavorful weeknight dinner that practically cooks itself? This Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken delivers exceptionally tender chicken coated in a perfectly balanced sweet and savory sauce, making it an instant family favorite. It's the ultimate hassle-free meal for busy evenings.
The magic of this recipe truly lies in the slow cooker, which gently infuses every piece of chicken with the rich honey sesame sauce, creating an incredibly moist and tender texture that's impossible to achieve with faster cooking methods. The simple addition of a corn starch slurry towards the end ensures your sauce is wonderfully thick, glossy, and clings beautifully to the chicken, rather than being thin or watery.
You'll be delighted by chicken that is remarkably moist and fork-tender, swimming in a vibrant sauce that expertly balances the sweetness of honey with the umami depth of low sodium soy sauce and the nutty, aromatic flavor of sesame oil. Minced garlic and a touch of rice vinegar and ketchup add bright, complex notes, ensuring each bite is flavorful and satisfying. This recipe offers a truly relaxed cooking experience, culminating in a dish that tastes like it took hours of effort, but actually requires minimal active time.
Customization & Serving Ideas
While this recipe shines with boneless, skinless chicken breasts, you can easily use other cuts. For a slightly different flavor profile or added richness, consider using boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead. If you like a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes stirred into the sauce can add a subtle kick. You can also adjust the amount of honey or garlic to match your preferred sweetness or pungency.
This delightful honey sesame chicken is ideal for a comforting family dinner any day of the week. Serve it simply over steamed white or brown rice to soak up all that delicious sauce, perhaps with a side of blanched broccoli or steamed snap peas for a complete and satisfying meal.