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Crock Pot Sesame Chicken

Crock Pot Sesame Chicken
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This Crock Pot Sesame Chicken recipe offers a simple, hands-off way to enjoy tender chicken thighs simmered in a rich, flavorful sesame sauce. Slow-cooked to juicy perfection with a balanced blend of sweet, savory, and nutty flavors, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or anyone wanting a fuss-free Asian-inspired meal that tastes like it took hours of work.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1.5 to 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs, trimmed and patted dry

Sauce

  • 1/3 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1/4 cup honey or brown sugar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar

Sauce Thickener

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder
  • 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)

Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Trim and pat dry the boneless chicken thighs to ensure the sauce can coat them evenly and remain flavorful throughout cooking.
  2. Mix the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and rice vinegar to create a balanced marinade that will infuse the chicken with irresistible flavor.
  3. Combine in the crock pot: Place the chicken thighs in the crock pot and pour the sauce over them, turning to coat each piece thoroughly before covering.
  4. Cook low and slow: Set your crock pot to low and cook for 4 to 5 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and soak up every bit of the delicious sesame sauce.
  5. Thicken the sauce: Before serving, stir together cornstarch with water to make a slurry, then add it to the crock pot. Turn the heat to high and cook for about 15 minutes until the sauce thickens to a luscious glaze.
  6. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the finished dish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions to add texture, color, and freshness before serving.

Notes

  • Use chicken thighs for juicier meat that holds up better with slow cooking.
  • Don’t skip thickening the sauce at the end to ensure it clings nicely to the chicken.
  • Adjust the sweetness of the sauce by tasting and modifying honey or sugar before cooking.
  • Toast sesame seeds briefly in a dry skillet to enhance their flavor and aroma.
  • Serve over jasmine or brown rice to soak up the savory sauce for a complete meal.

Nutrition

Keywords: Crock Pot, Sesame Chicken, Slow Cooker, Asian Recipe, Easy Dinner, Gluten-Free, Weeknight Meal, Chicken Thighs

Find it online: https://cherrycooks.com/crock-pot-sesame-chicken/