My family LOVES Chinese food. If I let them, they would order Chinese takeout every night. That is why I developed this Crock Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe.
It tastes just like the takeout version, but made in less time and for 1/4 of the price!
Plus, there’s something so satisfying about making it at home—no more waiting for delivery or worrying about the quality of your meal.
With this recipe, you get all the delicious flavors of your favorite dish without any of the guilt.
Ready to get started? Grab your crock pot, and let’s make some delicious General Tso’s Chicken together!
Key Takeaways
- Cook Time: 4 hours (crock pot); 15 minutes (instant pot)
- Main Ingredients: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and more.
- Servings: 4
- Extras: Add red peppers, sugar snap peas, red chile peppers (for spice), broccoli, or other veggies to make this a completely balanced meal over rice.
- Tip: Change things up by serving over stir-fry noodles, zoodles, or other things besides rice- it’ll feel like a new takeout meal each time.
This is the crock pot that I recommend using for all of my recipes is a 6-quart crock pot like the one below. The crock pot I use in all of my recipes is an older model, and it works like a charm.
Easy Crock Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
Say goodbye to those takeout menus and hello to a homemade meal that’s sure to become a family favorite.
Not only is this recipe incredibly easy to prepare, but it’s also a great way to save money and eat healthier. I don’t miss the deep frying; it all comes together great in the pot.
With simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, like soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, you can whip up this dish effortlessly.
This slow-cooker recipe ensures that the chicken is tender and juicy and perfectly infused with a rich, tangy sauce.
This Crock Pot General Tso’s Chicken recipe is part of my latest meal plan—I don’t think I’ll stop making more slow cooker meal plans any time soon!
If you don’t plan on freezing this for later, you can simply add all the ingredients except the corn starch and water (or chicken stock/bouillon) to the Instant Pot or Crock Pot and start cooking now!
Once you’re ready to eat, add the contents of the bag of General Tso’s Chicken into your Instant Pot or Crock Pot.
Set it to high for 15 minutes (Instant Pot) with a natural release, or cook it on low for 4 hours (Crock Pot).
This won’t have golden-brown, fried chicken, which some people may miss, but I like the texture and the low effort of this meal more than I miss the fried foods, LOL
You can always cook chicken pieces in a skillet with some vegetable oil if you want a crispy chicken, but it won’t be the breaded and deep-fried chicken you may be used to from your favorite restaurant.
When the crock pot or instant pot is finished cooking, mix the corn starch and water together in a cup to create a smooth slurry.
Add the the slurry into the pot, and cook until thickened. Stir constantly.
Serve it over a bed of steamed rice or with a side of stir-fried veggies for a complete, mouth-watering meal that your whole family will adore. You can also top with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions!
To toast the sesame seeds, you can do it two ways: put them in your toaster or on top of tin foil for about 3-4 minutes.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts cubed
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce or dark soy sauce
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- 5 drops hot sauce
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water or chicken stock/bouillon
- red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Cube the chicken breasts up to get bite-sized chunks.
- Mix together all the wet and dry ingredients except for the cornstarch and water for the sauce.
- To cook in the Crock Pot, add everything to the pot and cook on low for 4 hours.
- To cook in the Instant Pot, add everything into the pot and cook for 15 minutes on high with a manual release.
Notes
Nutrition
Serving It Up
Serving your Crock Pot General Tso’s Chicken over a variety of bases can create fun and versatile takeout experiences right at home.
By mixing and matching these different bases, you can create a variety of dining experiences, each with its own unique twist.
One of the most traditional ways to enjoy General Tso’s Chicken is over a bed of steamed rice.
White rice, jasmine rice, brown rice, or even fried rice can be used to soak up the savory, tangy sauce, providing a perfect complement to the flavorful chicken.
You can also get creative with other bases like quinoa or cauliflower rice, both of which offer healthy and delicious alternatives.
Stir-fried vegetables are another fantastic accompaniment. You can create a vibrant medley of your favorite veggies, such as bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, and carrots, stir-fried with a touch of soy sauce and garlic.
This not only adds nutritional value but also brings a variety of flavors and textures to the meal.
If you’re in the mood for noodles, stir-fried noodles are an excellent choice. Whether you prefer lo mein, chow mein, or even egg noodles, they make a hearty base that pairs wonderfully with the chicken and sauce.
For a low-carb option, consider serving General Tso’s Chicken over zoodles, which are spiralized zucchini noodles.
Adding To The Pot
Adding vegetables to your Crock Pot General Tso’s Chicken is a fantastic way to make it a complete, well-rounded meal.
Not only do the veggies add vibrant colors and textures, but they also boost the nutritional value of the dish, ensuring your family gets a balanced meal. You can incorporate a variety of vegetables to complement the flavors of the chicken and sauce.
Bell peppers or sweet peppers are a popular choice, adding a sweet crunch that pairs beautifully with the tangy sauce. Opt for a mix of red, yellow, and green peppers to enhance the dish’s visual appeal.
For those who enjoy a bit of heat, incorporating thinly sliced red chile peppers can give the dish an extra kick, adding a spicy depth that balances the sweetness of the sauce.
Broccoli is another great addition, providing a healthy dose of fiber and vitamins. The florets soak up the sauce, becoming tender and flavorful while retaining a slight crunch.
Snow peas and carrots can also be excellent choices. Snow peas bring a mild sweetness and a crisp texture, while thinly sliced carrots add a touch of earthiness and a pleasing contrast to the softness of the chicken.
To incorporate these vegetables, simply add them to the crock pot during the last hour of cooking.
If you prefer your vegetables with a bit more bite, you can steam them separately and stir them into the chicken just before serving.
Other Inexpensive Crock Pot Recipes
A lot of my recipes are dump recipes. Why? Because they are SO easy, and I am not a HUGE fan of cooking! I can cook well, but I would much rather spend my time doing something else.
If you love this Crock Pot General Tso’s Chicken recipe, you will have to check out more of my crock pot recipes.
Final Thoughts
With this Crock Pot General Tso’s Chicken recipe, you can enjoy the delicious flavors of your favorite takeout without the high cost or effort.
The slow cooker does all the hard work, allowing you to serve a meal that’s just as tasty as what you’d order from a restaurant but made in the comfort of your own home.
Not only is it budget-friendly, but it also offers the flexibility to customize with your favorite vegetables and sides, creating a variety of satisfying and nutritious meals.
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Can’t wait to try it, sounds yummy! But one question… I’ve found that chicken breast sizes vary wildly, so its hard to tell how much chicken this really calls for. Approx how much chicken, in weight, is needed?
I used about 1.5 lbs. You can use less if you want it to be saucier/