Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Sesame Chicken Recipe
This Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Sesame Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken thighs are cooked low and slow with a delectable combination of Asian sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil, creating a sticky, savory, and mildly sweet sauce. Serve it over rice or noodles to soak up the delicious sauce for a satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 2 hrs 50 mins
- Total Time: 3 hrs 5 mins
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
Chicken and Aromatics
- 2 pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
Sauce
- 1/2 cup Asian sweet chili sauce
- 1/4 cup less-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
Thickening Mixture
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Garnish
- 2 medium green onions, chopped
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients needed for the recipe to ensure smooth cooking.
- Coat Slow Cooker: Spray the inside of a 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Add Chicken and Onion: Place the chicken thighs and chopped onion into the slow cooker, spreading them evenly.
- Make Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the Asian sweet chili sauce, less-sodium soy sauce, ketchup, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated fresh ginger, and toasted sesame oil until well combined.
- Pour Sauce Over Chicken: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and onions in the slow cooker, then gently stir to coat everything evenly.
- Cook Chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on Low for 5 to 6 hours or on High for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Shred Chicken: Using two forks, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker to mix it well with the sauce.
- Prepare Thickening Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together water and cornstarch until smooth.
- Thicken Sauce: Stir the cornstarch mixture into the shredded chicken and sauce in the slow cooker. Cover again and cook on High for 30 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened. If initially cooked on Low, you may need to cook up to 45 minutes longer until the sauce thickens and the cornstarch is fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 205°F or 96°C).
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the sweet chili sesame chicken hot, garnished with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Enjoy over rice or noodles to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Notes
- For best flavor, use fresh ginger and garlic rather than powdered forms.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add some crushed red pepper flakes or a splash of sriracha to the sauce.
- Adjust the honey quantity if you desire a sweeter or less sweet sauce.
- When thickening the sauce, ensure the cornstarch is fully cooked to avoid a raw flavor.
- This recipe works well with chicken breasts, but thighs remain more juicy and tender.
