Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken
A flavorful, easy-to-make General Tso’s chicken using a slow cooker, perfect for busy weeknights with minimal hands-on time.
I make this slow cooker General Tso’s chicken on hectic weeknights when I want the sweet-spicy comfort of takeout with almost no hands-on time. The sauce is tangy and sticky, the chicken stays moist, and you can walk away for errands or help kids with homework while dinner finishes itself. If you like slow-cooker dinners that feel special without the fuss, this one’s for you — and it plays nicely alongside other cozy slow-cooker meals like Keto Crack Chicken in the Slow Cooker when you want variety through the week.
Why you’ll love this dish
This version gives you the familiar General Tso’s flavor using pantry staples and a hands-off slow-cooker method. It’s excellent for:
- Busy weeknights when you need dinner ready with minimal babysitting.
- Budget-friendly meal planning — boneless skinless chicken breasts are economical and stretch well over rice.
- Feeding picky eaters: adjust the red pepper flakes to control heat.
- Meal prep: it reheats and freezes well, making lunches and leftovers a treat.
How this recipe comes together
You’ll combine a simple sauce in the slow cooker, nestle in chicken breasts, and let low, steady heat do the rest. After 4–6 hours on low the chicken is tender and infused with sauce. Finish by stirring in a cornstarch slurry to thicken the juices into a glossy glaze. Expect about 5 minutes active work at the start and 10 minutes to finish — everything else is hands-off.
What you’ll need
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5–2 pounds)
- Soy sauce (use low-sodium if preferred)
- Brown sugar (light or dark)
- Rice vinegar
- Garlic (minced or crushed)
- Fresh ginger (grated) or 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- Red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Cornstarch (for slurry)
- Chicken broth (or water + bouillon)
- Green onions (sliced for garnish)
Notes and substitutions:
- For a gluten-free version, swap soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos.
- Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for more forgiving results and extra richness.
- If you don’t have rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar plus a pinch of sugar will work.
Step-by-step instructions
- Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, red pepper flakes, and chicken broth in the slow cooker. Make sure the sugar dissolves.
- Add the chicken breasts to the sauce and turn them so each piece is coated evenly.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours. The chicken is done when it reaches 165°F (74°C) and is tender.
- Remove one piece and shred or slice it if you like, then return it to the sauce. Mix 1–2 tablespoons cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water to make a slurry. Stir the slurry into the sauce.
- Turn the slow cooker to HIGH and let the sauce bubble 3–5 minutes until thickened and glossy. Taste and adjust heat or sweetness if needed.
- Serve the chicken over steamed rice and sprinkle with sliced green onions.
01Ingredients
For the chicken
For the sauce
02Method
- Preparation
- Cooking
- Serving
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0 OF 7 DONE03Recipe notes
- 01For a gluten-free version, swap soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for more forgiving results. If you don’t have rice vinegar, rice vinegar plus a pinch of sugar will work. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Freeze in portion-sized containers for up to 3 months.
04Nutrition
Per serving- Calories
- 393
- Protein
- 49G
- Net carbs
- 33G
- Fat
- 6G
- Fiber
- 1G
Net carbs are total carbs minus fiber. Numbers are estimates from the ingredients listed.
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Best ways to enjoy it
Serve this chicken over plain jasmine or brown rice, or pile it atop steamed vegetables for a lower-carb plate. For texture contrast, add roasted broccoli or quick-pickled cucumbers on the side. You can also spoon the chicken into lettuce cups for a lighter presentation.
If you like bold sides, pair it with a creamy corn dish — I often rotate this with recipes like Savory Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken for Cozy Nights when we want a themed dinner night.
Storage and reheating tips
Refrigerate: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Freeze: Portion into freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce, or microwave covered in 30–45 second bursts until heated through. Avoid boiling aggressively; it can dry the chicken.
Food safety: Always reheat until steaming hot (165°F / 74°C) and don’t leave cooked chicken sitting at room temperature more than 2 hours.
Creative twists
- Tofu option: Replace chicken with firm tofu (pressed and cubed). Add tofu in the last 1–2 hours to avoid over-saturation.
- Sticky-sesame: Stir in 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds before serving.
- Hoisin boost: For a sweeter, richer profile, add 1–2 tablespoons hoisin sauce to the slow-cooker sauce.
- Spicy honey twist: Stir in 1 tablespoon honey and 1 teaspoon Sriracha for a different sweet-heat balance.
Your questions answered
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
A: Yes — thighs are juicier and tolerate longer cooking. Reduce cooking time slightly if they’re boneless thin pieces, but 4–6 hours on low still works well.
How long does thickening with cornstarch take?
A: Once the slurry hits a bubbling sauce on HIGH, it usually thickens within 2–5 minutes. If it doesn’t, add a touch more slurry and simmer for another minute.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
A: Absolutely. Freeze in meal-sized portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How can I make it less salty?
A: Use low-sodium soy sauce or dilute the sauce with a bit more chicken broth and a tablespoon extra brown sugar to keep the balance.
Can I make this in an Instant Pot?
A: You can adapt it to a pressure-cooker method, but timing and liquid requirements differ. Sear for flavor, then pressure-cook chicken for 6–8 minutes with quick release and thicken with slurry after.
Conclusion
If you love easy, hands-off dinners with big flavor, this slow cooker General Tso’s chicken delivers a takeout-style meal with minimal effort. For an alternate slow-cooker approach with a similar comfort-food vibe, check this Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken – Creme De La Crumb for inspiration. Looking for more? Try my Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken Recipe.
Crockpot & Slow Cooker
Crockpot & Slow Cooker
Crockpot & Slow Cooker
