Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken

This slow cooker sesame chicken is the perfect dish for any night of the week. It’s easy, healthy, and delicious! You can make this in your crockpot or Instant Pot, and either way, you’ll have dinner ready in no time!

My slow cooker is one of my favorite tools in the kitchen. If you like using yours, make sure you also check out our recommendations below for the best Crock-Pot or slow cooker for your kitchen.

round and square white plates of sesame chicken on counter by chopsticks

What Goes with Sesame Chicken?

When trying to think of side dishes to go with your sesame chicken, think Chinese food take out. Of course, white rice goes with this dish and you can serve the chicken over it. You can make fried rice which will taste fabulous or this fragrant Indian style rice for a different but still delicious option.

You can also make a variety of vegetables, including roasted broccoli and cauliflower, or a favorite stir fry blend. Another popular option is to serve with noodles. You can make homemade egg noodles for a simple option, or make it a full takeout style meal and serve with beef yaki udon stir fry noodles.

And if you really want to make it a full takeout style meal, you can whip up some of this sweet and sour chicken with pineapple or a tasty bourbon chicken recipe.

square plate of chicken on rice next to round plate of chicken and broccoli

Can I Make This in My Instant Pot?

The slow cooker is great when you want to set your dinner up in the morning and have it ready for you when you come home. Because I know you want dinner in a hurry sometimes, I am also including directions on how to make this recipe in the Instant Pot. It is a great way to have dinner on the table when you didn't have time or forgot to set the slow cooker up in the morning. You can find the instructions for how to make Instant Pot sesame chicken in the printable recipe card below.

chicken in sauce on white plate with broccoli and sesame seed garnish

Ingredients

Chicken thighs
Garlic
Honey
Soy sauce
Ketchup
Vegetable oil
Cornstarch
Water
Sesame seeds

Handy Kitchen Tools

How to Make Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken

Cut your chicken thighs into 1" chunks then place them into the slow cooker.

In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, and vegetable oil.

Pour the mixture over your chicken.

Cover with the lid, and cook on low for 3 ½ hours.

Remove the chicken from the slow cooker, leaving the sauce in the bottom.

In a small bowl, whisk together water and cornstarch.

Turn the slow cooker on high, and whisk in the cornstarch slurry then cook for 10 to 15 minutes until it thickens.

glass bowl of cornstarch slurry above crockpot of sauce

Put the chicken back into the slow cooker and stir to coat in the sauce.

chicken thigh pieces in sauce with sesame seeds

How to Make Sesame Chicken in the Instant Pot

In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, and vegetable oil along with ¼ cup chicken broth.

Place the chicken pieces and the sauce mixture into the Instant Pot liner and cover with the lid.

Set the lid to seal and cook for 10 minutes on high pressure then naturally pressure release for 15 minutes.

Once pressure is fully released, remove the chicken from the pot, leaving the sauce in the pot, and set it aside. Then turn the Instant Pot to the saute setting.

Whisk together the water and cornstarch in a small bowl.

Whisk the cornstarch slurry into the sauce in the Instant Pot, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes until thickened.

Toss the chicken back in the sauce before serving with a sprinkle of sesame seeds on top.

Can I Use Chicken Breasts in Sesame Chicken?

Yes! You can use both chicken breasts and chicken thighs interchangeably in this recipe. Thighs tend to be more tender and richer so add more flavor, but if you prefer breasts, you can swap them in equal amounts in this recipe.

Can I Put Frozen Chicken Into My Slow Cooker?

No. While slow cooking chicken is safe according to the US Department of Agriculture, it is truly not recommended to cook chicken from a frozen state in the slow cooker. The FDA states that the chicken sits too long in the danger zone of temperature when started from a frozen state. Always thaw your meat before slow cooking.

Can I Freeze Sesame Chicken?

Yes. You can both freeze this raw to dump in your slow cooker after thawing overnight, or cooked in portions. Just make sure to cool the recipe completely before placing in an airtight container or storage bag that has been dated and labeled. It is good for up to 3 months in the freezer.

marble counter of white plates of chicken and rice

More Slow Cooker Recipes

If you want to put your slow cooker to work this week, make sure you add even more of my great Crock-Pot recipes to your meal plan. Bookmark, print, or pin these recipes to add to your menu soon!

📖 Recipe

Yield: 6