Slow-Cooker General Tso’s Chicken

2024-11-03 /Posted byYoga Pit / 26

If your comfort food list does not include General Tso’s chicken, you’re missing out!

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Every time I go out to eat at an American-Chinese restaurant, General Tso’s chicken is definitely one of the classics I can’t resist. This dish is sticky, sweet, and slightly spicy—the perfect combination. The chicken is perfectly tender and juicy, with an irresistibly crispy exterior. And the sauce—oh, the sauce!—adds the perfect balance of flavor and savory goodness. It’s so good, I just can’t pass it up! But now, I no longer have to go out to enjoy it. With the help of a slow cooker, I can enjoy the amazing flavors of General Tso’s chicken from the comfort of my own home.

I really love this General Tso’s chicken recipe. It’s so delicious that I struggle not to go back for seconds! While it does take about four hours to cook, the slow cooker handles most of the work, allowing me to relax instead of spending time at the stove. Served over a fluffy bed of white rice with roasted vegetables like broccoli and carrots, this dish is the ultimate comfort meal. I can’t wait for all of you to try it!

Is Slow-Cooker General Tso’s Chicken Healthy?

This slow-cooker General Tso’s chicken is high in protein and relatively low in fat. However, it’s also quite high in sodium, so it’s best to enjoy it in moderation. To create a more balanced meal, serve the chicken with sautéed vegetables and swap white rice for brown rice or quinoa.

What substitutions can I make with slow-cooker general tso’s chicken?

If you only have chicken thighs on hand or prefer their flavor, you can use them instead of chicken breasts. You could also use turkey breast to reduce the calories and fat. If you’re gluten-free, coconut aminos are a great substitute for soy sauce. And if you don’t have any rice wine vinegar, you can use white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or even lemon juice as a replacement.

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Cooking spray or 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Toss chicken with cornstarch and pepper; brown in skillet.

Combine

Mix sauce ingredients and pour over chicken in slow cooker.

Cook

Cook on low for 4 hours.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store

Leftover chicken can be stored in the fridge (in an airtight container) for up to 4 days. Or, if you prefer, this recipe will also freeze well for up to 3 months. I recommend making fresh rice whenever you plan to enjoy leftover General Tso’s chicken.

Have fun with garnishes!

This dish is delicious as is, but that doesn’t mean you can’t top it with some of your favorite garnishes! I recommend green onions, sesame seeds, or even extra red pepper flakes for added flavor and presentation.

Just a dash of sriracha

Red pepper flakes give this dish the level of spice we’re looking for. However, some recommend using both red pepper flakes and a small amount of sriracha to achieve the ideal balance of sweet and slightly spicy.

Serving Suggestions

To enjoy slow-cooker General Tso’s chicken, all you really need is a side of white rice and roasted vegetables like broccoli and carrots. Instead of white rice, you could make brown rice or even something fun like garlic rice. If you’re a side or appetizer lover, then you can’t go wrong with some crispy egg rolls or spring rolls. Tuck in and enjoy!