Easy Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe for Perfect Weeknight Dinner
A comforting and easy slow cooker recipe featuring tender chicken coated in a sweet and savory honey sesame glaze, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) honey
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) grated fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (8 g) cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) cold water
- Water or chicken broth as needed
- Toasted sesame seeds for garnish
- Sliced green onions for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, low sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated fresh ginger, and rice vinegar. Set aside.
- Place chicken thighs or breasts in the slow cooker.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is tender enough to shred.
- About 15 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry. Stir into the slow cooker and turn heat to high. Let the sauce thicken for 10-15 minutes.
- Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the chicken before serving.
Notes
Use chicken thighs for juicier results. Do not lift the slow cooker lid frequently to avoid heat loss. Use fresh garlic and ginger for best flavor. Thicken sauce at the end to avoid gummy texture. Toast sesame seeds for extra flavor. Adjust cooking time as needed for tenderness. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. For vegan, replace chicken with tofu or tempeh and honey with maple syrup.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup cooked c
- Calories: 325
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 32
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, honey sesame chicken, easy dinner, weeknight meal, slow cooker recipe, honey chicken, sesame chicken, comfort food