Tender chicken thighs slowly cooked with onion in a rich, savory Asian-inspired sauce. The chicken becomes incredibly juicy while soaking up the sweet, salty, garlicky flavors of the sauce. Serve it over steamed rice for an easy and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Add to the Slow Cooker First
- 6 chicken thighs, boneless or bone-in, cut into chunks
- 1 onion, chopped
For the Sauce
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup honey or brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- ½ cup chicken broth
For Thickening
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
For Serving
- Cooked white or jasmine rice
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds, optional
Instructions
1. Add the Chicken and Onion
Place the chopped chicken thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the chopped onion and spread everything into an even layer.
2. Make the Asian-Style Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and chicken broth.
Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken and onions.
3. Slow Cook
Cover and cook on:
- LOW: 4–5 hours
- HIGH: 2–3 hours
The chicken should be tender and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
4. Thicken the Sauce
When the chicken is cooked, mix the cornstarch with cold water until smooth.
Stir it into the cooking liquid. Cover and cook on HIGH for another 10–15 minutes, or transfer the sauce to a saucepan and simmer until thickened.
5. Serve
Spoon the tender chicken and onions over hot steamed rice. Drizzle with plenty of the flavorful sauce and finish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
Helpful Tips
- Chicken thighs work best because they stay juicy during slow cooking.
- For a deeper flavor, brown the chicken briefly in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker.
- Adjust the honey depending on how sweet you like your sauce.
- Add sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, carrots, or broccoli for extra vegetables.
- For a spicier version, increase the red pepper flakes or add a little chili garlic sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this slow-cooked Asian-style chicken with jasmine rice, fried rice, noodles, steamed broccoli, stir-fried vegetables, or a simple cucumber salad.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooked Asian Style Chicken is an easy set-it-and-forget-it dinner with tender chicken, sweet and savory sauce, caramelized onions, and plenty of garlic and ginger. It’s especially delicious served over fluffy rice so none of that flavorful sauce goes to waste.