What kind of chicken is General Tso?

Traditionally dark meat, but breasts, thighs, or drumsticks all work well in the crockpot.

Is General Tso chicken crispy?

No — slow cooking makes it tender. For a crispier finish, broil it for 2–3 minutes after cooking.

Is General Tso chicken sweet?

Yes, but you can adjust sugar or add extra vinegar for balance.

What is General Tso chicken?

A Chinese-American classic — crispy chicken in a sweet, tangy, slightly spicy sauce. This slow cooker version makes it lighter and hands-free.

How long to cook General Tso chicken in a crockpot?

3–4 hours on high or 6–7 on low for perfectly tender pieces.

General Tso Crockpot Chicken – Easy Weeknight Takeout-Style Dinner

Name: General Tso Crockpot Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 15 min
Cuisine: Chinese-American
Ingredients: 2 lbs chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or wings, cut into 1-inch pieces; ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (or ½ tsp ground); ½ cup honey or pineapple juice; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 2 cups broccoli florets or 1 bell pepper, sliced; ½ cup pineapple chunks; 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce; ¾ cup cornstarch; ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, pinch of cayenne, or 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional); 2 tablespoons chopped green onions; 1 teaspoon sesame seeds; 3 tablespoons vinegar (apple cider, rice, or white); 2 tablespoons oil for pan-searing (optional); 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)

Description

Bold, sticky-sweet General Tso Crockpot Chicken with garlic, ginger, and hoisin — a takeout classic made easy and hands-free.

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or wings, cut into 1-inch pieces
½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger (or ½ tsp ground)
½ cup honey or pineapple juice
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 cups broccoli florets or 1 bell pepper, sliced
½ cup pineapple chunks
3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
¾ cup cornstarch
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, pinch of cayenne, or 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional)
2 tablespoons chopped green onions
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
3 tablespoons vinegar (apple cider, rice, or white)
2 tablespoons oil for pan-searing (optional)
2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)

Instructions

Prep the Chicken: Cut chicken into uniform 1-inch pieces. Thaw overnight if using frozen.
Make the Sauce: Whisk soy sauce, hoisin, honey or pineapple juice, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Add red pepper flakes or sriracha if desired.
Pan-Sear (Optional): Heat oil in a skillet and brown chicken for 1–2 minutes per side.
Load the Slow Cooker: Place chicken in a 6-quart crockpot and pour sauce over evenly.
Set & Forget: Cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours without lifting the lid.
Thicken the Sauce: Whisk cornstarch with water and stir into sauce 30 minutes before serving.
Serve: Spoon over steamed jasmine or cauliflower rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce. For keto, replace honey with monk fruit sweetener. Refrigerate leftovers for 3–4 days or freeze up to 3 months. Nutritional values are estimated.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Category: Dinner
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: Chinese-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 310
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 720mg
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: General Tso Crockpot Chicken