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Easy Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken

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A quick and easy slow cooker recipe featuring tender chicken thighs coated in a sweet and savory honey sesame glaze, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/3 cup honey (113 g)
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce (80 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (30 ml)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (5 ml)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (16 g) mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
  • 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs and pat them dry with paper towels. (5 minutes)
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes if using. (5 minutes)
  3. Place chicken thighs in the slow cooker and pour the sauce evenly over them, coating each piece. (2 minutes)
  4. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or until chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). (4-5 hours)
  5. About 15 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Pour slurry into the slow cooker and stir gently. Recover and cook on high for 10-15 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes glossy. (15 minutes)
  6. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the chicken. Stir gently to distribute garnishes. (2 minutes)
  7. Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

For a deeper flavor, sear chicken thighs in a hot skillet for 2 minutes per side before slow cooking. Use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce saltiness. Fresh garlic and ginger are recommended over powdered for best flavor. Do not skip the cornstarch slurry to avoid watery sauce. If short on time, cook on high for 3-4 hours but monitor doneness closely. Toast sesame seeds in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes for extra aroma.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, honey sesame chicken, easy dinner, weeknight meal, chicken thighs, honey glaze, sesame seeds, comfort food

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/easy-slow-cooker-honey-sesame-chicken-recipe-perfect-for-weeknight-dinners/