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If you love bold, takeout-style flavors, this slow cooker General Tso’s chicken is one of the easiest crockpot Asian recipes to make at home.
With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy tender chicken with a sweet and savory sauce right in your own home.
Tap to jump right to recipe.Slow cooking lets the chicken soak up all the flavors, making it a perfect choice for busy days.
It’s also a perfect fit for busy weeknights when you need dependable easy crockpot dinners without extra work.

For even more hands-off meals, browse all of my crock pot recipes to find chicken, beef, pork, soups, and seasonal favorites.
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You’ll come home to a warm, hearty meal that’s ready to serve. This dish pairs well with rice or veggies, making it great for the whole family.
Get ready to impress your friends and family with this easy recipe. Cooking General Tso’s chicken in a slow cooker is a fun way to bring a popular restaurant dish into your kitchen!
If you enjoy Asian-inspired slow cooker meals like this, you might also love my slow cooker teriyaki chicken or Korean beef for another easy weeknight option.
Here’s why this slow cooker version works so well…
Why You’ll Love This General Tso’s Slow Cooker Chicken
Slow cooker General Tso’s chicken is a simple way to enjoy a takeout-style favorite at home without standing over the stove.
The slow cooking process allows the sweet and savory sauce to soak into the chicken, creating tender pieces packed with flavor. It’s an easy set-it-and-forget-it dinner that works perfectly for busy weeknights.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken
Start by gathering your ingredients. You’ll need:
- 2 pounds of chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
- 1/2 cup of soy sauce
- 1/3 cup of brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of ginger, minced
- Chili flakes, to taste
- 2 tablespoons of sesame oil
Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes.
In another bowl, combine cornstarch with a little water to make a slurry. This will help thicken the sauce later.
Now here’s where the magic happens…
How to Make Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken
Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and place them in the slow cooker.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes until well combined. Pour the sauce over the chicken and stir gently so all the pieces are coated.
Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with a little water to create a slurry. Stir it into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking to thicken the sauce.
Once the sauce has thickened, stir the chicken to coat evenly before serving.
Slow Cooker Tips
Chicken thighs work best for this recipe because they stay tender during long cooking times. Chicken breasts can be used, but they may cook slightly faster.
If you want extra texture, you can quickly broil the cooked chicken on a baking sheet for a few minutes before serving. This helps caramelize the sauce slightly.
For added vegetables, stir in broccoli florets, bell peppers, or snap peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Taste the sauce before serving and adjust sweetness or heat if needed by adding a little honey or extra chili flakes.
And this is where it all comes together…

Serving and Storage Suggestions
Serve slow cooker General Tso’s chicken over steamed jasmine rice, fried rice, or noodles so the flavorful sauce soaks in. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for extra flavor and color.
For a complete meal, pair it with steamed broccoli, stir-fried vegetables, or a simple cucumber salad. The fresh vegetables balance the rich sauce perfectly.
Best Dishes to Pair With
Serve alongside steamed broccoli or another vegetable for a balanced plate. Enjoy your homemade General Tso’s Chicken!
Once you make this once, it’s going into regular rotation.
For a complete spread, pair this with steamed broccoli or try it alongside my Asian meatballs for a party-style dinner.
Creative Leftover Ideas
Leftover General Tso’s chicken is perfect for quick lunches and easy second meals.
Serve it in rice bowls with roasted vegetables, tuck it into lettuce wraps, or add it to noodle stir-fries. It also works well in wraps or sandwiches with crunchy cabbage slaw.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Store leftover General Tso’s chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze it in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
To reheat, warm the chicken gently on the stove over medium-low heat or in the microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water or broth while reheating.
If you enjoy takeout-style slow cooker dinners like this, you might also like my slow cooker Mongolian beef, crock pot Thai peanut chicken, or easy egg roll in a bowl.

- 2 pounds of chicken thighs boneless and skinless
- 1/2 cup of soy sauce
- 1/3 cup of brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon of ginger minced
- Chili flakes to taste
- 2 tablespoons of sesame oil
-
Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and place them in the slow cooker.
-
In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes until well combined. Pour the sauce over the chicken and stir gently so all the pieces are coated.
-
Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
-
In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with a little water to create a slurry. Stir it into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking to thicken the sauce.
-
Once the sauce has thickened, stir the chicken to coat evenly before serving.
-
Chicken thighs work best for this recipe because they stay tender during long cooking times. Chicken breasts can be used, but they may cook slightly faster.
-
If you want extra texture, you can quickly broil the cooked chicken on a baking sheet for a few minutes before serving. This helps caramelize the sauce slightly.
-
For added vegetables, stir in broccoli florets, bell peppers, or snap peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
-
Taste the sauce before serving and adjust sweetness or heat if needed by adding a little honey or extra chili flakes.
Follow my Asian Crock Pot Recipes board on Pinterest.




