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Crockpot Honey Sesame Chicken combines simple ingredients you probably have in your pantry with an effortless cooking method to create a standout dinner without the fuss.
It’s astonishing how tempting takeout menus are on a busy weeknight. That’s why I like to keep a few better-than-takeout recipes on hand. And using a crockpot means I can start early in the day, and the food is ready to eat when dinner rolls around.
Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken and Slow Cooker Sesame Beef Noodles have been long-time favorites. And now I can add Crockpot Honey Sesame Chicken to the repertoire.
When you need a quick, easy, filling dinner, reach for these tried-and-true crockpot recipes. After you taste this home-cooked Honey Sesame Chicken, you won’t hesitate to delete all those food delivery apps.
Why This Recipe Works
Crockpot Honey Sesame Chicken is that weeknight superhero recipe for when you simply don’t have time to spend at the stove.
- Freshly grated garlic and ginger create a punchy, umami flavor bomb in every bite.
- Cornstarch eliminates any guesswork and thickens the sauce perfectly.
- Since the crockpot does virtually all the work, you have time to whip up some extraordinary sides that’ll blow your family away.
What You’ll Need
- Chicken – Use boneless and skinless chicken. Both breasts or thighs will work, but I prefer using thighs in a crockpot because they won’t dry out as much over the long cooking time.
- Onion
- Garlic – Since garlic is a prominent flavor in this dish, I’d stick to the fresh stuff. Skip the pre-minced, tubed, or powdered versions because you won’t get as much flavor from them.
- Ginger – Just like with the garlic, you’ll want to use freshly grated ginger for the best flavor.
- Honey
- Soy Sauce – If you want, you can use Teriyaki sauce instead for a little more sweetness and added ginger goodness.
- Ketchup – Don’t skip the ketchup! Even though it might seem like a surprising ingredient, even professionals use ketchup in their honey sesame chicken.
- Canola Oil
- Red Pepper Flakes – Feel free to omit this if you don’t want any heat.
- Cornstarch
- Water
- Sesame Seeds – Either toast these yourself or buy toasted ones. The depth of flavor you get once these seeds are toasted to golden brown is unmatched.
- Green Onion – This is an optional garnish, but it really perks up the whole dish.
How to Make Crockpot Honey Sesame Chicken
- Create Honey Sauce – Mix together all of the ingredients except the cornstarch, water, and toppings.
- Season & Coat the Chicken – Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper, and add it to the slow cooker. Then, pour the honey sauce mixture over the top.
- Cover & Cook – Cover the crock pot, and set it to cook on low for 3-4 hours.
- Remove the Chicken & Thicken the Sauce – When there are 20 minutes left in the cooking time, remove the chicken from the crockpot. Mix cornstarch and warm water until dissolved, then whisk it into the sauce. Cover the sauce and cook for the last 20 minutes until it’s glossy and thick.
- Shred the Chicken & Combine All Ingredients – Shred the chicken, and add it to the sauce. Toss to coat and allow it to reheat thoroughly.
- Serve – Spoon the Honey Sesame Chicken over rice, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
Recipe Tips
- If you want to save some dishes, mix the honey sauce in the crockpot. Then, add the chicken to the sauce and flip it to coat.
- The sauce won’t get thick immediately after you add the cornstarch. It needs to come to a simmer to fully thicken. So don’t stress if the sauce is thin when you add the shredded chicken.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll keep for 1-2 days.
Can I Make Ahead of Time
You can make the honey sauce and add it to a resealable freezer bag a day or two in advance. Then, place raw chicken into the bag, and leave it in the fridge to marinate for a few hours or overnight. When you’re ready to cook, pour the contents into your slow cooker and you’re set!
How To Serve Honey Sesame Chicken
Rice is a classic side dish for Honey Sesame Chicken that’s hard to beat. I love this Instant Pot Jasmine Rice because it always comes out fluffy and perfect.
Green Beans with Bacon are also a must try along with the Honey Sesame Chicken. The beans can take the place of rice if you’re on a carb-conscious diet. However, the meal is best if you serve all three––chicken, rice, and green beans in a bowl sprinkled with sesame seeds and green onions. Seriously, even takeout can’t beat it.
For a fun and surprising side, serve up some Parmesan Garlic Roasted Edamame. They’re crispy, coated in cheese, and so addicting.
My ultimate dinner would be serving the Honey Sesame Chicken with all these pairings. You’ll create a weeknight spread that’s as easy to pull off as it is exciting and delicious.
More Comforting Slow Cooker Recipes
- Pork Roast
- Tikka Masala
- French Dip Sandwiches
- Balsamic Pork with Polenta & Avocado Cream
- Korean Beef Tacos
- Potato Soup
- Chili
- Chicken & Gravy
Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken, breasts or thighs
- salt and pepper
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 Tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons canola oil
- 1/4 -1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/3 cup warm water
- 3 Tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, chopped (optional garnish)
- 3 cups cooked white rice
Instructions
- In a bowl combine onion, garlic, ginger, honey, soy sauce, ketchup, canola oil, and red pepper flakes. Mix to combine.
- Place chicken in the slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper. Pour honey mixture over chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours.
- During the last 20 minutes of cooking remove the chicken from the slow cooker. Dissolve cornstarch in the warm water. Add to sauce, and whisk to combine. Cover and cook for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile shred the chicken. Add back to the sauce, tossing to combine.
- Serve over rice, with a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Garnish with green onions if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Honey sesame chicken is so good, and I love the convenience of a slow cooker!
I use my slow cooker all the time. Since we adore Asian food, this will be total winner for us too. Pinning it now!
This is a favorite of mine when I order takeout as well. I love my slow cooker and can’t wait to give this a try.
I love sesame chicken, and making it in the crock pot just sounds that much better!
Slow cooker recipes are the best for easy and delicious food especially since you can forget about it. This recipes looks like a yummy one.
This looks delicious. I am wanting some Chinese right now but I would much rather make it myself than go out.
Hey there, wow this looks amazing! I am a fan of honey. I am a fan of sesame!!! I need to try this! I just wanted to point out, normally it’s kind of taboo to stick your chopsticks upright like you did in your first pic-rumor has it that it’s traditionally considered a bad omen and likened to incense burning at a funeral. Even though, culture aside it’s still a striking photo;)
Thanks Christine – I had no idea about the chopsticks! Thanks for the compliment, I will have to think about that next time though.