Name: Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 5 min
Cuisine: Chinese-American
Ingredients: 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into one inch cubes; 1/4 cup cornstarch; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 1/2 cup hoisin sauce; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 1/4 teaspoon dry ginger; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (adjust to taste); Green onions, sliced; Sesame seeds; Additional red pepper flakes

If you’re craving that perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors, wait until you try my Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken Recipe. It’s one of those meals that feels restaurant-worthy but so easy to make at home. You’ll love how tender the chicken gets after slow cooking in a sauce loaded with garlic, brown sugar, and just the right kick of crushed red pepper. Seriously, once I discovered this slow cooker version, it quickly became a family favorite that I make again and again.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hands-off Cooking: Pop everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic while you go about your day.
Flavorful & Tender: Slow cooking locks in moisture, making the chicken juicy and infused with that classic General Tso’s sauce.
Simple Ingredients: No fancy sauces or hard-to-find spices—just pantry staples that come together beautifully.
Family Friendly: My crew can’t get enough of this dish; it’s perfect for weeknights or meal prep.

This image shows a close-up of small, golden-brown chicken pieces coated in a thick, dark brown sauce inside a black pot. The chicken chunks are covered with small white sesame seeds and sprinkled with chopped green onions, adding a bright green touch. A wooden spoon is scooping some of the chicken in the middle right area, with a woman's hand holding it. The background has a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken, Chinese chicken recipes, easy slow cooker dinner, homemade General Tso’s chicken, family-friendly Chinese dishes

Ingredients You’ll Need

Everything in this Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken Recipe works perfectly together to bring you that signature tangy-sweet taste. When shopping, I recommend getting fresh garlic and good quality hoisin sauce — they really lift the flavors.

Flat lay of fresh cubed boneless skinless chicken breasts in a simple white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl of fine cornstarch powder, a small white bowl filled with dark glossy hoisin sauce, a small white bowl of deep amber soy sauce, a small white bowl of packed brown sugar, three whole uncracked garlic cloves beside a few minced garlic pieces, a small white bowl of clear rice wine vinegar, a small white bowl with golden sesame oil, a small white bowl of light brown dry ground ginger powder, a small white bowl of crushed red pepper flakes, a few fresh green onions with bright green tops and white bulbs, a small white bowl of white sesame seeds, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken, Chinese chicken recipes, easy slow cooker dinner, homemade General Tso’s chicken, family-friendly Chinese dishes

Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Cubed for even cooking and easy serving.
Cornstarch: Coats the chicken to help thicken the sauce later on and gives great texture.
Vegetable oil: A neutral oil that’s perfect for lightly browning the chicken before slow cooking.
Hoisin sauce: Adds that deep, sweet-savory flavor fundamental to General Tso’s dishes.
Soy sauce: Brings saltiness and umami hit—choose low sodium if you prefer milder saltiness.
Brown sugar: Balances the acidity and heat with a rich caramel note.
Garlic cloves: Freshly minced garlic makes all the difference in flavor brightness.
Rice wine vinegar: Provides acidity to brighten and balance the sauce.
Sesame oil: Just a splash adds warmth and nuttiness—don’t skip it!
Dry ginger: Lends a subtle zing and depth that you don’t want to overlook.
Crushed red pepper: Adjust to your spice tolerance—this brings the heat that wakes up the dish.
Optional garnishes: Green onions, sesame seeds, and extra red pepper flakes make it look as good as it tastes.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how adaptable this Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken Recipe is—you can easily tweak it to match your mood or dietary needs. Feel free to experiment and make it your own!

Spicy kick: When I want a bolder heat, I add an extra ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper or a splash of sriracha to the sauce.
Vegetarian swap: I’ve swapped chicken for firm tofu or cauliflower florets for a meatless twist that still soaks up all that sauce beautifully.
Thicker sauce: If you like your sauce a bit saucier, I stir in a cornstarch slurry during the last 20 minutes of slow cooking to thicken it up.
Extra veggies: Sometimes I toss in sliced bell peppers or snap peas toward the end for fresh crunch and color.

How to Make Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Coat and Brown the Chicken

Start by tossing the cubed chicken breasts in cornstarch until each piece is coated—it helps give the final dish that lightly crisp texture even in a slow cooker. Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken just until the edges turn golden but don’t cook it fully. This step adds excellent flavor depth. Once browned, transfer the chicken straight into your slow cooker.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Sauce

While the chicken is browning, mix hoisin sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, dry ginger, and crushed red pepper in a bowl. Whisk it until the sugar dissolves and everything is well combined. I usually give it a quick taste to adjust heat and sweetness—sometimes I add a smidge more vinegar if I want a brighter tang.

Step 3: Slow Cook the Chicken and Sauce

Pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker and give it a gentle stir to evenly coat all pieces. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through. You’ll notice the sauce thickens slightly and the flavors meld beautifully during this time—so rewarding to come back to!

Step 4: Serve and Garnish

Once your chicken is done, serve it over steamed white or brown rice to soak up all that beautiful sauce. Sprinkle with chopped green onions, a handful of toasted sesame seeds, and extra crushed red pepper flakes if you want that little pop of color and heat. I personally love how these simple garnishes add a fresh finish.

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Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

Don’t skip browning: It adds a caramelized flavor layer that turns this dish from good to spectacular.
Adjust sweetness and heat: Taste your sauce before slow cooking and tweak sugar or pepper to your liking.
Use fresh garlic: Fresh minced garlic pops more in the sauce than pre-minced jarred versions.
Watch the slow cooker time: Overcooking can dry out the chicken; check at 3 hours and adjust as needed.

How to Serve Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

A black bowl holds a layer of white rice at the bottom, topped with thick pieces of shiny, brown glazed chicken scattered evenly. Green chopped scallions are sprinkled on top, adding bright green color. White and black sesame seeds are spread over the chicken and rice, creating a textured look. A woman's hand is using wooden chopsticks to pick up one piece of chicken. The bowl is on a white marbled surface with small bowls of chopped scallions and sesame seeds nearby, and some scattered sesame seeds add a casual feel. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken, Chinese chicken recipes, easy slow cooker dinner, homemade General Tso’s chicken, family-friendly Chinese dishes

Garnishes

I always go for a sprinkle of thinly sliced green onions because their mild onion flavor balances the richness of the sauce perfectly. A dash of toasted sesame seeds adds a lovely crunch and nutty aroma. And if you like some visual flair plus a little more heat, extra crushed red pepper flakes are a must.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides are fluffy jasmine rice or even cauliflower rice if I’m going low-carb. Steamed broccoli or roasted snap peas offer a nice fresh crunch that contrasts the saucy chicken wonderfully. Sometimes I even serve it with simple fried rice to make it feel extra special.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I like serving this dish family-style in a large bowl, surrounded by bowls of colorful veggies and rice. It looks inviting and lets everyone scoop their favorites. You can also spoon it over crispy wonton chips for a fun appetizer twist that guests rave about.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken in airtight containers in the fridge, where it keeps beautifully for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens a bit overnight, making it even easier to portion out for quick lunches or dinners.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish several times with great results. Just cool it completely, then freeze in portion-sized containers. When thawed, the flavors remain just as vibrant. It’s a lifesaver for busy weeks.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much. Stir often so it heats evenly and stays nice and saucy without drying out.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs work wonderfully in this Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken Recipe because they stay extra juicy and tender during slow cooking. Just cut them into similar-sized pieces as the breasts to ensure even cooking.
Can I make this recipe spicy or mild?

Yes! The crushed red pepper in the sauce controls the heat level. For milder flavor, reduce or omit it; for spicier, add more or extra chili sauce. I always recommend starting moderate—you can add heat later when serving if needed.
Do I have to brown the chicken first?

Technically, you can skip browning for super easy prep, but I don’t recommend it. Browning adds rich flavor and slightly crisps the chicken edges, which really elevates the finished dish.
Can I prepare this Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken Recipe the night before?

Definitely! You can brown the chicken and prep the sauce ahead of time, then refrigerate separately. When you’re ready, combine everything in the slow cooker and start cooking. This saves time on a busy day.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken Recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Every time I make it, the house fills with those amazing sweet-and-spicy aromas that get everyone excited to eat. If you’re anything like me and want a fuss-free dinner that still feels special, you’re going to enjoy making this recipe your go-to. Trust me, once you try it, it’ll quickly become a staple in your meal rotation too!