This Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken is a dream come true for busy food lovers—tender, juicy chicken coated in a sticky-sweet glaze with a hint of nutty sesame. With just 5 minutes of prep and a hands-off 4-hour cook time, your kitchen will fill with irresistible aromas of honey, garlic, and soy sauce. Perfectly balanced between sweet and savory, every bite delivers a satisfying crunch from sesame seeds and a velvety sauce that clings to every piece. It’s comfort food made easy, with a touch of elegance that feels like a restaurant-quality meal.
Packed with 19g of protein and bursting with flavor, this dish is as nourishing as it is delicious. The golden, glossy sauce pairs beautifully with steamed rice or crisp veggies, creating a meal that’s both hearty and wholesome. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Dive into a plate of tender chicken, rich with honey-kissed goodness, and let the slow cooker do all the work for you!
What You’ll Need
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (thighs work too!)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup honey
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup diced onion
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil (olive oil or canola oil are fine substitutes)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, adds flavor without much heat)
- 4 teaspoons cornstarch, dissolved in 6 Tablespoons water
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
How to Make It
- Prepare the slow cooker: Spray the inside of your crock pot with non-stick cooking spray.
- Season the chicken: Lightly season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then place them in the slow cooker.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce, diced onion, ketchup, vegetable oil, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well, then pour the mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Cook the chicken: Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1½ to 2½ hours, until the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Thicken the sauce: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and set aside. In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in water, then pour it into the slow cooker. Stir to combine with the sauce. Replace the lid and cook on high for 10 more minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Finish the dish: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, then return it to the slow cooker. Toss the chicken in the thickened sauce to coat evenly.
- Serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve over rice or noodles. For extra heat, add more red pepper flakes on top.
Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions
This Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken is incredibly versatile! Serve it over a bed of steamed jasmine rice or lo mein noodles for a classic pairing. For a lighter option, try it with cauliflower rice or alongside a crisp Asian-inspired salad. Don’t forget to garnish with extra sesame seeds and a sprinkle of green onions for a pop of color and flavor!
Make It Your Own: Recipe Variations
Want to switch things up? Swap the chicken breasts for boneless thighs for a richer, juicier result. If you’re feeling adventurous, add sliced bell peppers or broccoli florets to the slow cooker for a veggie-packed twist. For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes or drizzle with sriracha before serving. Vegetarian? Substitute the chicken with firm tofu or chickpeas!
Time-Saving Tips for Busy Cooks
Short on time? Prep the sauce the night before and store it in the fridge. In the morning, simply pour it over the chicken and let the slow cooker do the work. If you’re in a rush, cook on high for 1.5–2.5 hours instead of low. For an even quicker option, use pre-minced garlic and pre-diced onions to cut down on prep time!
Storage and Reheating Made Easy
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it in a skillet over medium heat or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen it up. This dish also freezes well—just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating!
Equipment Guidance for Success
Using a 4-6 quart slow cooker is ideal for this recipe. If you don’t have one, you can adapt it for the stovetop by simmering the chicken in the sauce on low heat for 25–30 minutes. A whisk or fork works great for dissolving the cornstarch, and a sharp knife makes cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces a breeze!
Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, (thighs would be fine too)
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup honey
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil, (could also use olive oil or canola oil)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, (optional – doesn’t really add heat, just adds more flavor)
- 4 teaspoon cornstarch, dissolved in 6 Tablespoons water
- sesame seeds
Instructions
- Spray crock pot with non-stick cooking spray.
- Season both sides of chicken with lightly with salt and pepper, put into crock pot.
- In a small bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, oil, garlic and pepper flakes. Pour over chicken.
- Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours, or just until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove chicken from slow cooker, leave sauce. Dissolve 4 teaspoons of cornstarch in 6 tablespoons of water and pour into slow cooker. Stir to combine with sauce.
- Replace lid and cook sauce on high for ten more minutes or until slightly thickened.
- Cut chicken into bite size pieces, then return to pot and toss with sauce before serving.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve over rice or noodles.
- *You can also sprinkle more red pepper flakes on top if you want more heat.