If you’re craving a meal that’s delightfully sweet, savory, and unbelievably easy to make, Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken is here to win your heart. This Asian-inspired dish features tender, juicy chicken thighs bathed in a glossy, flavor-packed sauce that tastes like it came from your favorite takeout spot. The best part? Your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, so you can enjoy a home-cooked dinner with almost zero fuss. Whether you’re feeding your family or meal-prepping for the week, Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken delivers big on comfort and taste every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe shines with simple, everyday ingredients that each play a vital role in creating layers of flavor. From the honey’s natural sweetness to the zingy ginger and fragrant sesame oil, every component adds something special to the final dish.
- Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs stay moist and tender during slow cooking, making them ideal for this recipe.
- Honey: Brings a wonderful sweetness and helps create that irresistible sticky sauce.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Adds depth and savory umami flavor without making the dish too salty.
- Ketchup: Offers a subtle tang and boosts the sauce’s rich color and body.
- Rice Vinegar: Cuts through the sweetness with a gentle, bright acidity.
- Sesame Oil: Infuses the chicken with a nutty, aromatic note that’s classic in sesame chicken recipes.
- Minced Garlic: Lends a punchy, aromatic kick that balances the sweetness nicely.
- Grated Fresh Ginger: Provides a fresh, peppery zing that wakes up the sauce.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Adds just the right touch of heat—use more or less to suit your spice preference.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce to that perfect, glossy consistency.
- Water: Used with cornstarch to make a slurry for thickening.
- Toasted Sesame Seeds: Sprinkle these on at the end for crunch and a toasty sesame flavor.
- Green Onions: Sliced and scattered on top for a pop of color and freshness.
- Steamed White Rice: The classic base for serving—soaks up every drop of that delicious sauce.
How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Start by placing your boneless, skinless chicken thighs right at the bottom of your slow cooker. There’s no need to brown them first—the slow cooking will make them melt-in-your-mouth tender, and all the flavors will infuse as they simmer away together.
Step 2: Mix the Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, low-sodium soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes. This mixture is the star of the show, blending sweetness, tang, and a little heat into one perfectly balanced sauce.
Step 3: Add Sauce to Chicken
Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken thighs in the slow cooker, making sure each piece is coated. This ensures every bite of chicken is infused with those incredible honey sesame flavors from the start.
Step 4: Cook Low and Slow
Cover the slow cooker and cook the chicken on low for about 4 hours (or on high for 2 hours, if you’re in a hurry). The chicken should be so tender that it practically falls apart at the touch of a fork.
Step 5: Shred the Chicken
Once the chicken is cooked through and tender, use two forks to shred it right in the slow cooker or transfer to a cutting board if you prefer. Shredding helps the meat soak up even more of that luscious sauce.
Step 6: Thicken the Sauce
In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Whisk this mixture into the sauce in the slow cooker, then turn the heat to high and cook for another 10 to 15 minutes. You’ll see the sauce transform into a thick, glossy glaze that clings to the chicken beautifully.
Step 7: Finish and Serve
Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat it thoroughly in the thickened sauce. Finish by sprinkling toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the top for extra flavor and a lovely finishing touch. Serve the Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken hot over steamed white rice and get ready for rave reviews!
How to Serve Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken
Garnishes
The final flourish for this Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken is a generous sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and fresh green onions. These simple toppings add crunch, color, and a burst of freshness that make each bite even more delightful. If you like a hint of heat, a light drizzle of sriracha or a few extra red pepper flakes take things up a notch.
Side Dishes
While steamed white rice is the classic pairing, don’t be afraid to switch things up! Fluffy quinoa or cauliflower rice offer lighter, nutritious alternatives that soak up the sauce just as well. For a complete meal, serve alongside quick stir-fried veggies like broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy for extra crunch and color.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, you can serve Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken in lettuce cups for a lighter, handheld option—great for parties or meal prep lunches. Or, pile it onto a warm steamed bao bun with pickled veggies for an elevated, street-food-inspired dinner. The saucy chicken also makes a fantastic filling for Asian-inspired tacos or grain bowls with your favorite toppings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to three days. Store it in an airtight container, and you’ll have an easy, flavorful meal ready to go for busy lunches or weeknight dinners. The flavors actually deepen as it sits, making leftovers even more irresistible!
Freezing
This dish freezes like a dream. Let the chicken cool completely before transferring it (with plenty of sauce) to freezer-safe bags or containers. Freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as needed.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the chicken gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much. You can also microwave individual portions in short bursts, stirring between each, until heated through. The chicken stays tender and the sauce returns to its glossy perfection.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! While chicken thighs stay juicier during slow cooking, boneless, skinless chicken breasts work well too. Just be careful not to overcook them, as they can dry out more quickly than thighs.
Is Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken gluten-free?
Yes, as long as you use a gluten-free soy sauce (like tamari), this recipe is entirely gluten-free. Always double-check your other sauce ingredients to be certain.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Definitely. This recipe easily doubles—just make sure your slow cooker is large enough to accommodate the extra chicken and sauce. Cooking time may increase slightly, so check for doneness before shredding the chicken.
What’s the best way to make it spicier?
If you love a spicy kick, simply add more crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce or drizzle sriracha over the finished dish. You can also add a splash of chili oil for deeper heat and flavor.
Can I make Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken ahead of time?
Yes! The flavors actually develop as it sits, so it’s perfect for meal prep. Cook and shred the chicken as directed, then store in the fridge for up to three days or freeze for longer storage. It reheats beautifully for quick, satisfying meals.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about tossing a few simple ingredients into the slow cooker and coming back to a meal as delicious as Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken. It’s the kind of recipe that makes weeknights a breeze and impresses anyone lucky enough to snag a plate. Give it a try and see just how easy (and irresistible) homemade takeout-style chicken can be!
Print
Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken is a flavorful and easy Asian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken thighs cooked in a sweet and savory honey sesame sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, it combines honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a hint of heat, served over steamed rice for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Thickening & Garnish
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 3 green onions, sliced
To Serve
- Steamed white rice
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker to create a base for the sauce.
- Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, low-sodium soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated fresh ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes until well combined.
- Cook the Chicken: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken thighs in the slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken thighs from the slow cooker and shred them finely using two forks for consistent texture.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Whisk this mixture into the sauce remaining in the slow cooker. Turn the heat to high and cook for 10 to 15 minutes until the sauce thickens considerably.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir thoroughly to evenly coat it with the thickened sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the top for added flavor and texture. Serve hot over steamed white rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- This dish can also be served with quinoa or cauliflower rice as a lighter or lower-carb option.
- For extra flavor and a spicy kick, drizzle with sriracha or add an additional splash of sesame oil before serving.
- Leftover honey sesame chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup chicken with sauce
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
