CROCKPOT GENERAL TSO’S CHICKEN

Are you craving that takeout-style General Tso’s Chicken, but dreading the deep-frying and the mess? Imagine coming home to a delicious, tangy, and slightly spicy dinner that practically cooks itself! This Easy Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken recipe is your answer – a flavorful, healthier, and incredibly simple way to enjoy this classic dish. Get ready to impress your family and friends with your culinary prowess (even if your slow cooker did most of the work!).

Gathering Your Aromatic Ingredients

Here is everything you’ll need to create this incredible dish. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything on hand; substitutions are always welcome!

For the Chicken:

• 2 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: Cut into 1-inch cubes (chicken breasts work too, but thighs stay juicier!)
• 1/4 cup Cornstarch: For lightly coating the chicken and thickening the sauce.
• 1/4 tsp Salt: To season the chicken.
• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper: For a little kick.

For the General Tso’s Sauce:

• 1/2 cup Soy Sauce: Low sodium preferred, for a less salty dish.
• 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar: Balances the savory flavors.
• 1/4 cup Rice Vinegar: Adds that signature tang.
• 1/4 cup Chicken Broth: Helps to thin the sauce.
• 2 tbsp Hoisin Sauce: For a richer, more complex flavor.
• 1 tbsp Sesame Oil: Adds a nutty aroma and flavor.
• 1 tbsp Cornstarch: To thicken the sauce.
• 1 tbsp Water: To mix with the cornstarch.
• 2 cloves Garlic: Minced, for that classic garlic flavor.
• 1 inch Ginger: Freshly grated, for a zingy spice.
• 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes: For heat! Adjust to your liking.

For Garnish (Optional):

• Sesame Seeds: For a pretty finish.
• Chopped Green Onions: For a fresh, vibrant touch.

Step-by-Step to General Tso’s Chicken Nirvana

Let’s get cooking! This recipe is so easy, it’s almost unfair.

Prepping the Chicken:

1. In a large bowl, toss the cubed chicken with 1/4 cup cornstarch, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. This step is important because the cornstarch helps the chicken retain moisture and also helps the sauce adhere better.

Making the Sauce:

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, chicken broth, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tbsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp water to create a slurry. This will help thicken the sauce beautifully.
3. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture. Give it a good stir!

Crockpot Magic:

1. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken in the crockpot. Make sure all the chicken is submerged in the sauce.
2. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and easily shredded with a fork.
3. During the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the cornstarch slurry. This will thicken the sauce to that perfect General Tso’s consistency.
4. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. You might want to add a little more soy sauce, sugar, or red pepper flakes to your liking.

Serving Your Masterpiece:

1. Serve the Easy Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken over cooked rice or noodles.
2. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for a beautiful presentation.

Why This Crockpot Method is a Game-Changer

Okay, let’s be real. Deep-frying is a pain. This crockpot method delivers amazing flavor without all the fuss. Plus, the slow cooking process allows the chicken to become incredibly tender and infused with the General Tso’s sauce. You get all the deliciousness with minimal effort!

Tackling Common Crockpot Concerns

Slow cookers are fantastic, but sometimes we run into snags. Let’s address a few potential issues and how to avoid them:

My Sauce is Too Thin!

Don’t panic! Make sure you’ve added the cornstarch slurry at the end of the cooking time. If it’s still too thin, remove about 1/4 cup of the sauce from the crockpot and whisk it with another tablespoon of cornstarch. Return the mixture to the crockpot and cook on high for another 15-20 minutes, or until thickened.

My Chicken is Dry!

Using chicken thighs helps prevent dryness, but sometimes it still happens. Be sure not to overcook the chicken. If you’re using chicken breasts, you might want to reduce the cooking time. Also, ensure the chicken is fully submerged in the sauce during cooking.

My Sauce is Too Sweet/Salty/Spicy!

Taste as you go! If the sauce is too sweet, add a splash of rice vinegar or soy sauce. Too salty? Add a little chicken broth. Too spicy? Add a touch more sugar or hoisin sauce. Adjusting the flavors is key to making this dish your own!

Level Up Your General Tso’s Game

Want to take your Easy Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken to the next level? Here are a few ideas:

• Add Veggies: Toss in some broccoli florets, bell peppers, or snow peas during the last hour of cooking for a complete meal.
• Make it Crispy: After the chicken is cooked, you can quickly pan-fry it in a little oil to get a crispy exterior before tossing it with the sauce.
• Spice it Up: Add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
• Serve with Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl Recipe rice for a perfect pairing!

What to Serve with Your General Tso’s Triumph

This Easy Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken is delicious on its own, but here are some sides that will complement it beautifully:

• Steamed Rice: A classic and simple choice.
• Noodles: Lo mein or chow mein noodles are a great alternative to rice.
• Stir-Fried Vegetables: A healthy and flavorful addition.
• Egg Rolls or Spring Rolls: For a complete Asian-inspired meal.
• CHICKEN FRIED RICE. A double chicken delight!

Variations to Keep Things Interesting

Feeling adventurous? Here are a few variations to try:

• General Tso’s Tofu: Substitute the chicken with firm tofu, pressed and cubed.
• General Tso’s Shrimp: Use peeled and deveined shrimp instead of chicken. Reduce the cooking time accordingly.
• General Tso’s Pork: Use pork tenderloin cut into cubes.
• For another delicious slow cooker chicken recipe, why not try my recipe for HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN?

Making it Ahead & Storing the Leftovers

This recipe is perfect for meal prepping! You can assemble the entire dish in the crockpot the night before and store it in the refrigerator. Just pop it in the slow cooker in the morning and let it do its thing. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

More Crockpot Chicken Adventures Await!

If you loved this Easy Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken, you’re in for a treat! Slow cookers are amazing for creating flavorful and easy meals. Why not also try BUTTER CHICKEN for another flavor explosion? Or for something with a kick, consider the Spicy Ginger Chicken Delight!

So, there you have it! A foolproof recipe for Easy Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken that will impress your family and friends. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, this dish is sure to become a weeknight staple. Happy cooking!

Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken

Enjoy a flavorful and easy weeknight meal with this Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken recipe. Skip the deep-frying and let your slow cooker do the work, resulting in tender chicken infused with a tangy and slightly spicy General Tso’s sauce. Serve over rice or noodles for a delicious takeout-style dinner at home.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 hours hrs

Total Time 7 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese-American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup soy sauce, low sodium preferred
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp water
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, freshly grated
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• Sesame seeds, for garnish
• Chopped green onions, for garnish
• Cooked rice or noodles, for serving

Equipment

• Slow Cooker (Crockpot)
• Large bowl
• Small bowl
• Whisk
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Spoon or Ladle

Method

 

1. In a large bowl, toss the cubed chicken with 1/4 cup cornstarch, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, chicken broth, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tbsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp water to create a slurry.
4. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture. Stir well.
5. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken in the crockpot, ensuring all the chicken is submerged.
6. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and easily shredded.
7. During the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the cornstarch slurry.
8. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add more soy sauce, sugar, or red pepper flakes to your liking.
9. Serve the General Tso’s Chicken over cooked rice or noodles.
10. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.

Notes

For a thicker sauce, remove about 1/4 cup of the sauce from the crockpot and whisk it with another tablespoon of cornstarch. Return the mixture to the crockpot and cook on high for another 15-20 minutes, or until thickened. To prevent dryness, use chicken thighs and avoid overcooking. This dish can be assembled the night before and stored in the refrigerator until ready to cook. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For a crispier chicken, pan-fry it briefly after cooking in the crockpot before adding it back to the sauce.