Crockpot Sesame Chicken

Crockpot Sesame Chicken is a ten minute prep slow cooker recipe that the whole family will love. This is the easiest way to make sesame chicken!

I’m always looking for more quick and easy dinner ideas, and I bet you are too. When my days are especially busy, I like to use my crockpot to help me get dinner on the table. My family’s favorite easy slow cooker recipes include Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken, Crock Pot Pork Chops, and this Crockpot Honey Sesame Chicken.

Crockpot Sesame Chicken: A Weeknight Staple

This crockpot sesame chicken is one of my easiest, fast prep crockpot chicken recipes. It’s a dump and go slow cooker recipe that requires just a few ingredients. This sesame chicken recipe is perfect for busy days when you hardly have time to cook dinner.

I first shared this recipe years ago, and since then I’ve made this honey sesame chicken many, many times. I’ve adapted the recipe over the years to perfect it and make it a bit healthier.  Below you’ll find the version that I always make now.

This recipe is a crowd pleaser, and one that both kids and adults will love!

If you prefer a stovetop recipe, try this easy Sesame Chicken.

Ingredients

• Chicken: You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or boneless, skinless chicken breasts, or a combination of the two.
• Soy Sauce: I recommend using low sodium soy sauce so that there will be less sodium in the finished dish.
• Ketchup: Ketchup adds flavor to the sauce. If you prefer, you can substitute a few tablespoons of tomato paste thinned with some water to make 1/3 cup.
• Honey: Honey provides sweetness to balance the savory flavors of the soy sauce. Combined with the garlic and other ingredients, the sauce in this sesame chicken is has a flavor profile similar to a honey garlic sauce.
• Sesame Oil: This adds a hint of sesame flavor to the sauce. If you don’t have sesame oil in your kitchen, you can omit it and the sauce will still be delicious.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds flavor.
• Pepper: Black pepper adds flavor to the sauce. We do not need to add salt because the soy sauce provides enough salty flavor. If you want a spicier sauce, you can also add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes.
• Cornstarch & Water: A mixture of cornstarch and water, called a cornstarch slurry, is used to thicken the sauce after the chicken cooks.

How to Make Sesame Chicken in the Slow Cooker

Here’s a quick look at the recipe steps. You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below.

1. Place the chicken in the slow cooker.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients: soy sauce, ketchup, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic and black pepper. If you want extra heat, also mix in a pinch of red pepper flakes.
3. Pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker.
4. Cook on low or high, according to the times given in the recipe card below. Chicken thighs will take a little bit longer to cook through than chicken breasts. Chicken is done when the internal temperature measures 165° F on an instant read thermometer.
5. Remove the chicken to a clean bowl or cutting board and let it rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
6. Mix together the cornstarch and water and stir the cornstarch slurry into the sauce in the slow cooker. Cook the sauce on high for 10 to 20 minutes, or until thickened. If you prefer, you can thicken the sauce in a pot on the stove over medium heat, stirring frequently.
7. Shred the chicken and return it to the sauce in the slow cooker.

What to Serve with Honey Sesame Chicken

• We like to serve the chicken over Instant Pot rice or brown rice. Sesame seeds and sliced green onions (scallions) are the perfect garnish.
• For a vegetable side dish, I recommend roasted carrots, roasted broccoli, roasted zucchini or Instant Pot green beans.

Storage & Reheating Tips

• The sesame chicken and sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 
• Reheat chicken and sauce in a saucepan on the stove over medium-low heat, or reheat in the microwave.

More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

• Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
• Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes
• Tuscan Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
• Slow Cooker Orange Chicken
• Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

5 from 1 rating

Crockpot Sesame Chicken

Servings: 6 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 3 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Author: Kristine Roseblatt

This Crockpot Sesame Chicken has tender shredded chicken in a delicious sweet and savory sauce. Serve it over rice and topped with sesame seeds. One of the easiest slow cooker recipes!

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Ingredients

• ▢ 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, or boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• ▢ ⅓ cup low sodium soy sauce
• ▢ ⅓ cup ketchup
• ▢ ¼ cup honey
• ▢ 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ pinch red pepper flakes, optional
• ▢ 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• ▢ 1 tablespoon water
• ▢ cooked brown or white rice, sesame seeds and chopped green onions, for serving

Instructions

 

• Place the chicken breasts (or thighs) in the slow cooker.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, ketchup, honey, sesame oil, garlic, black pepper (and red pepper flakes, if using). Pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or high for 1½-2½ hours, or until chicken is cooked through to 165° F. If using boneless chicken thighs, cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-4 hours.
• Remove the chicken to a clean bowl or cutting board and let it rest for a few minutes.
• Meanwhile, stir together the 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of water in a small bowl. Pour the cornstarch mixture into the sauce in the slow cooker and stir. Cook on high for 10-20 minutes, until sauce thickens slightly.
• Shred the chicken and return it to the sauce in the slow cooker.
• Serve chicken and sauce over rice, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.

Notes

• The sesame chicken and sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 
• Reheat chicken and sauce in a saucepan on the stove over medium-low heat, or reheat in the microwave.

Calories: 272kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 34g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 97mg, Sodium: 773mg, Potassium: 673mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 19g, Vitamin A: 198IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 28mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is an estimate.

Cuisine: Asian

Course: Main Dish, Slow Cooker

Author: Kristine Roseblatt

Tried this recipe?Mention @kristines_kitchen on Instagram or tag #kristineskitchenblog.