Description
This mouthwatering Crockpot Chinese chicken recipe is perfect for flavor lovers looking for an easy, tender, and savory meal. Slow-cooked chicken thighs are simmered in a rich sauce of soy, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger, with fresh vegetables added toward the end for a vibrant finish. It’s perfect for a comforting dinner served over steamed rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 2 pounds chicken thighs
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
Sauce
- 1 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Thickening Agent
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken in Crockpot: Place the 2 pounds of chicken thighs in the crockpot, ensuring they are spread evenly at the bottom.
- Make the Sauce: In a bowl, combine 1 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup honey, 1/4 cup rice vinegar, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon grated ginger, and 1 tablespoon sesame oil. Mix well to blend all flavors.
- Add Sauce to Chicken: Pour this flavorful sauce mixture evenly over the chicken thighs in the crockpot, ensuring each piece is coated.
- Add Vegetables: Add the sliced bell pepper and onion on top of the chicken and sauce in the crockpot.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours, or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Add Broccoli: About 30 minutes before serving, add the 2 cups of broccoli florets to the crockpot to cook until just tender but still bright and crisp.
- Thicken the Sauce: Mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water to create a slurry. Stir this mixture into the crockpot to thicken the sauce during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- Serve: Once the sauce is thickened and the broccoli is tender, serve the chicken and vegetables hot over steamed rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts, but thighs remain more tender in slow cooking.
- Adjust honey to taste for desired sweetness level.
- Add other vegetables like snap peas or mushrooms for variation.
- If sauce is too thin, increase cornstarch slurry quantity slightly.
- Serve with steamed jasmine or basmati rice to complement the flavors.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
