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Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken

Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken

  • Author: Jonathan
  • Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken is a sweet, tangy, and comforting dish featuring tender chicken thighs simmered slowly in a luscious sauce made with natural ingredients like grape juice, apple cider vinegar, and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce. This hands-off recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, delivering bold, rich flavors with minimal prep. Serve it over steamed rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice for a versatile, family-friendly meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, chopped

Sauce

  • 1/4 cup vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup grape juice
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (natural)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent

Garnishes

  • 2 scallions, sliced thinly
  • Toasted sesame seeds (optional)
  • Chopped roasted peanuts (optional)

Optional Vegetables (Add halfway through cooking)

  • 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers
  • 1/2 cup broccoli florets
  • 1/2 cup snap peas

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Trim excess fat from the boneless, skinless chicken thighs and cut them into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and optimal sauce absorption.
  2. Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, combine apple cider vinegar, grape juice, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), brown sugar (natural), minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes. Stir well until the sugar dissolves completely, creating a balanced sweet, tangy, and spicy base.
  3. Load the Slow Cooker: Place the chicken pieces and chopped smoked turkey bacon into the slow cooker. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken evenly. Toss gently if possible, but do not rinse the chicken to preserve the flavors.
  4. Cook Low and Slow: Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 4 to 5 hours until the chicken is tender and infused with the sauce flavors. The natural gelling agent will thicken the sauce during cooking.
  5. Add Vegetables (Optional): If using optional vegetables, add chopped bell peppers, broccoli florets, or snap peas about halfway through the cooking time to keep them crisp and colorful.
  6. Final Touches: Before serving, taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Stir in fresh scallions for a crisp, mild onion flavor and garnish with toasted sesame seeds or chopped roasted peanuts if desired.
  7. Serve: Serve the Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken over steamed jasmine or basmati rice, stir-fried rice noodles, sautéed greens, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.

Notes

  • Use chicken thighs for tender, juicy results that hold up well in slow cooking.
  • Fresh garlic and ginger are essential for authentic flavor; avoid substitutes when possible.
  • Allow leftovers to rest covered overnight to deepen and intensify the flavors.
  • If the sauce is too thin after cooking, mix a small amount of natural gelling agent with cold water, stir it into the slow cooker, and cook on high for an additional 15 minutes.
  • Sprinkle scallions just before serving to maintain their bright color and crunch.
  • Variations include adding more red pepper flakes or chili paste (natural) for extra heat, swapping chicken breasts or turkey slices as protein alternatives, reducing sweetness by adjusting brown sugar and grape juice, and garnishing with toasted sesame seeds or roasted peanuts for extra texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Sodium: 550mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 90mg

Keywords: General Tso's chicken, slow cooker chicken, easy dinner, sweet and tangy chicken, slow cooker recipe, comfort food, chicken thighs, natural ingredients

Find it online: https://familycookspot.com/slow-cooker-general-tsos-chicken/