Go Back
Easy Crockpot General Tso's Chicken simmers in a slow cooker, promising a flavorful and convenient weeknight meal.

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
Cook Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 15 minutes
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.