Super Easy Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken. Cooked in a slightly sweet and tangy Chinese-inspired sauce. Way better (and healthier) than takeout! Serve with my Chinese Fried Rice, Lo Mein, or Chicken Chow Mein to make it a meal!
If you are short on time and want to have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes try my Easy 30-minute General Tso’s Chicken, with a side of Garlic Fried Rice!
General Tso’s Chicken is my all-time favorite take-out dish. It’s my go-to whenever I order Chinese takeout. This General Tso Chicken recipe turns out incredibly tender and juicy way better than the takeout version. It is coated in a sweet and tangy sauce. It tastes just like the General Tso’s Chicken you get at a restaurant!
You can also feel better about eating this dish because it is healthier than the takeout version! There is no deep-frying in this recipe just a little oil is used to sauté the chicken. You can also control the sweetness, saltiness and spice level when you make this at home!
To add an extra depth of flavor to this dish I brown the coated chicken in a hot pan. This gives the chicken a nice caramelization on the outside and helps it stay tender and juicy while cooking in the slow cooker. The cornstarch also helps to thicken up the sauce.
If you like this recipe then try out my other Crockpot Chicken Recipe!
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Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: Cut into bite-size pieces. You can substitute chicken thighs as well.
- Cornstarch: This helps to thicken up the sauce.
- Hoisin Sauce: Can be found in the International Isle in the grocery store. It is thick, sweet, and slightly salty. It makes the perfect addition to the sauce!
- Rice wine vinegar: Can also be found in the International Isle in the grocery store. Resist the urge to substitute with another vinegar. I find that rice wine vinegar works the best in this recipe.
- Light brown sugar: Adds the perfect amount of sweetness to the sauce. Feel free to reduce the amount of sugar if you do not like it as sweet.
- Sesame oil: Also found in the International Isle in the grocery store or at Asian supermarkets. Sesame oil has a wonderful nutty flavor. A little goes a long way!
- For serving: I sprinkle the chicken with black and white sesame seeds and green onions! For a kick add some crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of Sriracha or chili garlic sauce!
How to make Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken
- Cube chicken thighs: Into bite size pieces.
- Coat in cornstarch: Add chicken and cornstarch to a large ziplock bag. Toss to coat the chicken with the cornstarch.
- Brown chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet or wok. Saute chicken until golden brown on both sides about 2 minutes on each side. (Note the chicken will not be fully cooked and that is ok)
- Add the ingredients to the slow cooker: Add the chicken to the slow cooker. Combine hoisin sauce, vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil in a medium. Pour the sauce onto the chicken and stir to coat the chicken.
- Cook on low for 2-3 hours. Or until the chicken reaches 165 degrees and is heated through. Depending on how big you cubed your chicken it might take more or less time.
- Serve: With green onions and sesame seeds for serving, if desired.
What to serve with General Tso Chicken
- Authentic Chicken Lo Mein
- Chicken Chow Mein
- The BEST Fried Rice
- Garlic Fried Rice
- Air Fryer Fried Rice
- Cauliflower Fried Rice
- White or brown rice. For a low-carb option try cauliflower rice.
- Steamed vegetables
- Crunchy Asian Broccoli Slaw
- Air Fryer Egg Rolls
- Garlic Green Beans
- Zucchini Noodle Stir Fry
- Japanese Cucumber Salad
storage instructions
- Reheat: Leftovers (chicken and sauce) in a saute pan over medium-high heat until rewarmed. You can also rewarm in the slow cooker as well!
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before reheating as above.
kelley’s tips
- You can use different meat! Try adding chicken thighs, pork, or beef instead, and increase the cooking time to 3-4 hours depending on the cut of meat.
- Vegetarian? No Problem! Cauliflower, broccoli, bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots are all delicious in this recipe! Use what you have on hand. You can dust the vegetables with cornstarch, or make a cornstarch slurry by adding it to water and then pouring it straight into the sauce.
- Enjoy a little heat? Me too! Sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes in, or as a few dashes of sriracha for a little kick of spice.
frequently asked questions
What is Chinese General Tso Sauce made of?
It’s made of 4 simple ingredients that you may already have in your pantry. General Tso’s Chicken sauce includes hoisin sauce, rice wine vinegar, light brown sugar, and sesame oil. The meat is coated with cornstarch which thickens the sauce up beautifully.
How long do you cook boneless skinless chicken in the crockpot?
For this Slow Cooker General Tso Chicken recipe, I cooked the chicken along with the sauce for 2-3 hours in the crockpot. It turns out super tender and the chicken is absolutely bursting with flavor.
Is General Tso Chicken the same as Orange Chicken?
Not quite! Orange Chicken Sauce has marmalade, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes. On the other hand, General Tso Chicken contains hoisin sauce, rice wine vinegar, light brown sugar, and sesame oil. They are very different flavor profiles! One is orange-tasting, and the other has hoisin sauce which is made from fermented soybeans.
Is General Tso Chicken spicy?
This recipe for Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken is not spicy at all, however, if you like a kick of heat I recommend adding in crushed red pepper flakes or a few dashes of sriracha. A little spice is delicious in this recipe!
Here are more Chinese Takeout Recipes you can make at home!
- 20 Minute Beef and Broccoli
- Easy Kung Pao Shrimp
- Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken
- Easy Pepper Steak
- 30 Minute Sweet and Sour Chicken
products i used
Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup hoisin sauce
- 4 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 4 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- green onions for serving, if desired
- sesame seeds for serving, if desired
Instructions
- Add chicken and cornstarch to a large ziplock bag. Toss to coat the chicken with the cornstarch.
- Heat oil in a large skillet or wok. Saute chicken until golden brown on both sides about 2 minutes on each side. (Note the chicken will not be fully cooked and that is ok) Add the chicken to the slow cooker.
- Add hoisin sauce, vinegar, sugar and sesame oil to a medium bowl and whisk until combined. Pour the sauce onto the chicken and stir to coat the chicken.
- Cook on low for 2-3 hours.Serve with green onions and sesame seeds for serving, if desired.
Nutrition Information
Did you make this?
I’d love to hear your feedback! Leave a review and make sure to share your pictures on social media! Don’t forget to follow @thechefsavvy.
Lesley
I do a lot of cookin and have read countless recipes online and this is the first time I have truly been moved to comment. I made this and it was DELICIOUS and so easy I can’t wait to make it again!! The only thing is it took me about 1.5 hours in the slow cooker- which was perfect because I was soooo ready to eat it rather than wait another hour based on its smell 🙂
Kelley
I am so happy you enjoyed it Lesley!! Thank you so much for sharing!
Kelley
Lois
If it’s ready in 4 hours, why does it say cook at low for 2-3 hours?
Kelley
Hi Lois,
The recipe was corrected for 2-3 hours. I will correct the typo.
Thank you,
Kelley
Leigh-Anne Soules
So only 1 1/2 hrs in stead of 3?
Kelley
Hi Leigh-Anne,
I would check the chicken after 1 1/2 – 2 hours.
Thank you & Enjoy!
Kelley
Angil
Did you have it on low for the 1-1.5 hours?
Kelley
Hi Angil,
Yes I cook it on low.
Thanks!
Kelley
Kathie Siemer
What are nutritional facts per serving for this dish?
Kelley
Hi Kathie,
I do not have the nutritional facts for this recipe. However there is a recipe calorie counter that works pretty well if you would like to plug the recipe into that.
https://www.caloriecount.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php
I hope this helps! Thanks,
Kelley
Leigh-Anne Soules
I would like to also know that as I am a weight watcher lifetime member and want to make this chicken recipe..
val cole
HUH!!? Kelly says cook low 4 hrs. Lesley says cook 1.5hrs. How so?
Kelley
Hi Val,
I cooked my chicken for 3-4 hours but you can check it after 1-1/2 like Lesley. (It depends on how small you cut your chicken and if you cook it longer when you sauté it in the cornstarch.)
Thank you and I hope you enjoy!
Kelley
Mary
I’d love to make the General Tso’s Chicken & Mongolian Beef recipes, but I’ve been living overseas and cannot use my slowcooker. Do you think I cook make the recipes on my stove top in a dutch oven (one of those very heavy Creuset pans)?
Kelley
Hi Mary!
You can definitely make the Mongolian beef recipe in a dutch oven. As for the general tso’s you can make that in a dutch oven as well. Most recipes coat the chicken in cornstarch and deep fry the chicken. Here is a good recipe for that: http://rasamalaysia.com/general-tsos-chicken/
Thanks and Enjoy!
Kelley
Melissa
Am I able to do this in my instant pot?? Have you tried it? If so what is the recommended cooking time?
Kelley Simmons
Hi Melissa,
Yes it can definitely be made in the Instant Pot. I would use the saute option to brown the cornstarch coated chicken then add in the sauce ingredients and manual cook for 5 minutes. Serve with the green onions and sesame seeds!
Thanks & Enjoy!
Kelley
Carol
Made this in my dutch oven today. I put on low on the stove covered ..it was outstanding
Libby
Hey Carol! How long did you cook it for may I inquire? (:
I’m excited to try this but I don’t use a Crock-Pot. C:
Ann Stradley
I love the flavor of this dish but my chicken was really tough. Can you think of why that would be?
Kelley
Hi Ann,
I am very sorry that the chicken was tough for you. I have found that the chicken can be take out sooner. I will change the recipe cooking time to 2-3 hours. I appreciate your feedback!
Thank you,
Kelley
C.giles
Probably need to check chicken at the 1&1/2 hour mark. Most likely it was over cooked.
Jean-Sebastien
Hello,
What size slow cooker this recipe is for? I have quite a big one so I must adjust quantity for it. I have one about 5 pints if I’m not mistaken (quite big, I bought a big one on purpose to make extra for lunch and freezer).
Kelley
Hi!
I used a 6 quart slow cooker for this recipe. It came about halfway up the slow cooker.
Hope this helps! Thanks!
Kelley
Josianne
Hi!
Your recipe looks awesome!
What I like to do is prepare meals ahead of time and freeze them. Afterwards, I put them in the slow cooker when I want to use them.
Is it possible to do so with this recipe?
Thanks a lot 🙂
Kelley
Hi Josianne,
I wouldn’t cook the chicken for as long the first time. My worry would be it would be over cooked if you cook it and then reheat it again in the slow cooker. I would maybe cook just until it reaches 165 so maybe 1-1/2 hours. Then cool it and freeze it and reheat in the slow cooker.
I hope this helps and you enjoy!!
Kelley
Josianne
Hi!
Thanks for your qyick answer.
However, I think I may have expressed myself in the wrong way 🙂
What I am wondering is if I can NOT cook all the ingredients, put them all in a freezer bag and them cook them in the slow cooker when I want to?
Hope I am clearer 🙂
Thanks again!
Josianne
Kelley
Hi Josianne,
I have never tried doing that before so it is hard for me to say yes or no that will work. Sorry I couldn’t help more!
Thanks!
Kelley
Luana
A cup is 8 ounces, or 16 tablespoons
Milli
I’m sorry, this just doesn’t measure up
Chris
Going to give this a go tonight, just one question though, how much is a cup?
Bret
Hi Chris,
I’m guessing by your question that you might be needing to Metricize (convert to Metric)
If that’s the case, 1 cup is 250 ml
Tammy
Is this a spicy dish?
Kelley
Hi Tammy,
No this dish is not spicy. You can add sriracha or red pepper flakes to this dish to add some spice.
Thanks!
Kelley