Flavorful Slow Cooker Asian BBQ Chicken Fusion (2025)

The ingredients list for this chicken dish seems a little out there for classic BBQ dishes—lemon, BBQ sauce, ginger?

But WOW, do they work well together! The flavor of this dish is BOLD… I almost guarantee you’ve tasted nothing like this before. You will LOVE it!!

You will also love it because it’s a slow cooker meal and freezes great if you want to prepare it ahead of time!

Key Takeaways

• Cook Time: High- 4 hours
• Main Ingredients: Boneless chicken thighs, soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic, jalapeno pepper, BBQ sauce, tomato sauce, and more
• Servings: 4-6
• Extras: This will go great over rice, but if you’re in the mood for noodles, get yakisoba and make it a lazy hibachi dinner!
• Tips: If you’re not into the spice or got a strong jalapeno like I did, add a teaspoon on brown sugar to your sauce pot before adding the sauce back to the chicken

Flavorful Slow Cooker Asian BBQ Chicken Fusion

You may already have the majority in your pantry, and the combination is an amazing sauce that my girls loved!

To start making this mouth-watering Asian BBQ chicken, gather all your ingredients. First, take 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs and place them in your slow cooker.

You could also use chicken breasts, but you may need to cut them down so they’re a bit smaller and cook evenly.

I prefer chicken thighs because they are juicy dark meat and get some tender in the crock pot!

Once you’ve got the chicken it, you can take everything else and toss it right on top, but leave out the water and corn startch, that’s for later.

You can substitute ground ginger for the ginger and lemon juice from a bottle instead of a fresh lemon. Make whatever substitutes you need to save time or money, Mama!

Set your slow cooker to low and cook for 8-10 hours. You can just throw everything in and walk away. Well, I mean, put the lid on and turn it on, too lol

Once the cooking time is up, I take the extra juices and sauce from the crock pot out to make a nice thick sauce for serving.

Use the water and cornstarch to make a slurry, mix it thoroughly, and pop it into a saucepan.

Get the slow cooker juices into a saucepan and simmer them on the stove until they reduce to your desired consistency.

Now the sauce is ready, and we can get that Asian BBQ chicken on the table!

Serve the chicken drizzled with the sauce over a bed of steamed rice and alongside your favorite vegetables.

Garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and a few slices of green onion for an extra touch of flavor and a pop of color.

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Slow Cooker Asian-BBQ Fusion Chicken

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours hours

Total Time: 4 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 -6

Author: Brittany Kline

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Ingredients

• 6 boneless chicken thighs skin removed
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp chili powder
• 3 cloves garlic minced or pressed (or 1 Tbsp minced jarred garlic)
• 1 Tbsp minced fresh ginger or 1 tsp dried ground ginger
• 1 jalapeno seeded and minced
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• Juice from 1 lemon or 3 Tbsp lemon juice
• Lemon zest if using a fresh lemon
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• Toasted sesame seeds
• 1 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1/4 cup cold water

Instructions

• Place chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker.
• Season chicken with the spices.
• Add all of the ingredients on top except for the water and corn starch (the order doesn't really matter)
• Cook on high for 4 hours (or medium for 6, low for 8)
• In a small sauce pan, whisk the cold water with the cornstarch until well blended.
• Add about 1/2 cup of the liquid from the slow cooker to the sauce pan and whisk.
• Heat over medium heat until it bubbles and thickens.
• Mix the thickened liquid back into the slow cooker and stir. Let it cook for another 10 minutes.
• Serve chicken over rice. Top with some of the sauce and then some sesame seeds.

Recipe Swaps

For adventurous kitchen spirits, swapping out chicken for other types of meat can transform this dish into a whole new culinary experience.

The Meat

Consider using beef short ribs or pork shoulder to bring a richer flavor and heartier texture to the table.

I love Korean short ribs, and I’ve made other slow cooker ribs, and this sauce would be so tasty for it!

If you’re aiming for a lighter option, turkey thighs can be a fantastic alternative, still keeping the dish succulent and flavorful.

The Sauce

When it comes to the sauce, the possibilities for experimentation are endless. Swap the BBQ sauce for a hoisin sauce to add a sweeter, more complex flavor profile.

For a tangier twist, try adding lime juice or a dash or orange juice- not too much, but a little gives a good acidity that works nicely with honey and BBQ sauce.

If you’re looking for more spice, adding a dash of Sriracha (closer to a traditional Korean BB chicken sauce) or a bit more jalapeno can turn up the heat.

Oh, and if you’re watching your salt intake, of course, you can use low-sodium soy sauce; it makes the dish a little less salty, but not in a bad way.

Serving It Up

Don’t shy away from experimenting with sides to complement the flavors of your Asian BBQ fusion.

Instead of the traditional steamed rice, consider serving the meat over a bed of fluffy quinoa or alongside a vibrant Asian slaw.

Grilled vegetables like bok choy, bell peppers, and zucchini can add a smoky note to the meal, making it even more memorable.

I’m also trying to think of a cool way to turn this into a topping for a Poke Bowl. Does that sound good?

Other Slow Cooker Recipes

If you like this one and want more easy recipes, you might be interested in 40 other slow cooker dump recipes that are AMAZING!

FAQs

What are the main ingredients for good Asian BBQ chicken?

The main ingredients for good Asian BBQ chicken are chicken thighs, soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic, jalapeno pepper, lemon juice and zest, sesame oil, BBQ sauce, and tomato sauce.

Is this chicken recipe spicy?

Yes, this chicken recipe does have a bit of spice from the jalapeno pepper and chili powder, but it can easily be adjusted to suit your taste by reducing or omitting these ingredients.

You could also add more BBQ sauce or honey to balance out any spiciness.

I also sometimes add brown sugar after I taste-test my sauce- some jalapenos are spicier than others, and I don’t want to overload the girls.

I use maybe a teaspoon of brown sugar at a time, but you can start with a tablespoon if the spice is too much.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can use chicken breasts instead of thighs in this recipe.

Make sure to cut them into smaller pieces so they cook evenly, and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Chicken breasts may also be less tender than thighs, so don’t go too long in the crock pot.

What sides would go with Asian BBQ chicken?

Rice is a common side dish for Asian BBQ chicken, but you can also serve it with steamed or stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or bok choy.

For a complete meal, you could also try pairing it with some Asian-inspired salads or noodles. I love yakisoba, which would be tasty with this saucy chicken on top!

Is Asian BBQ chicken the same as Korean BBQ chicken?

Although they share some similarities, Asian BBQ chicken and Korean BBQ chicken are not the same.

Korean BBQ chicken often uses a soy sauce-based marinade with heat from sriracha and less tanginess because it doesn’t have lemon juice or tomato sauce.

Asian BBQ chicken recipes can use a variety of ingredients in their sauce, which is why my recipe will be different from others.

Additionally, Korean BBQ is usually cooked on a grill or in the oven for super crunchy pieces, while my recipe uses a slow cooker.

Could I make this recipe in the air fryer for crispy chicken?

This recipe is specifically written for a slow cooker, but you could adapt it for the air fryer. To achieve crispy chicken, I would suggest following these steps:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
2. Cook the chicken in the air fryer for 10-15 minutes or until fully cooked and crispy on the outside.
3. In a small saucepan, mix the remaining ingredients (except for cornstarch and water) until well combined.
4. Heat over medium heat until it bubbles and thickens.
5. In a separate bowl, mix together the cold water and corn starch to create a slurry.
6. Add the slurry to the saucepan and whisk until well blended.
7. Once the chicken is done cooking in the air fryer, toss it with the thickened sauce until well coated.
8. Serve over rice with veggies on the side.

Keep in mind that this will create a slightly different dish than if cooked in a slow cooker, but it should still be delicious!

Final Thoughts

Are you excited to try this recipe? I’m sure your kids will love it, just like mine did!

My Asian BBQ chicken recipe is a blessing made from slow cooking. It brings together a symphony of flavors that are now in my monthly meal plan rotation.

Its blend of sweet, savory, and a hint of spice, combined with the convenience of a slow cooker, makes it a go-to recipe for anyone looking to infuse some Asian flair into their meal repertoire.

Whether you’re seeking a weeknight dinner solution or a savory dish to impress guests, this recipe is perfect.

Pair it with your favorite sides for a balanced and fulfilling meal. Then dig in and enjoy!

Have you grabbed my Chaos to Control Starter Guide, yet? I might be biased but I think its pretty amazing! Check it out!

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