Description
This Slow Cooker Hoisin Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken thighs simmered in a rich and flavorful sauce made with hoisin, soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and Chinese five-spice powder. Perfectly easy to prepare and ideal for busy days, this dish delivers a delightful balance of savory and sweet flavors that make for a satisfying meal served over rice or vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Sauce
- 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
Garnish
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Green onions, thinly sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker, arranging them evenly.
- Mix the sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and Chinese five-spice powder.
- Whisk the sauce: Whisk all the sauce ingredients together until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
- Coat the chicken: Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken thighs in the slow cooker, using a spoon or spatula to ensure the chicken is well-coated with the sauce.
- Cook the chicken: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
- Check for tenderness: About 30 minutes before serving, check the chicken to ensure it is tender and fully cooked.
- Shred the chicken: Remove the chicken thighs from the slow cooker and place them on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Mix shredded chicken with sauce: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the sauce to absorb the flavors.
- Let it soak: Cover the slow cooker again and allow the chicken to absorb the sauce for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Garnish and serve: Before serving, garnish the hoisin chicken with sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions.
- Serving suggestion: Serve the tender, flavorful hoisin chicken over rice or alongside steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Enjoy: Enjoy the perfect balance of savory and sweet in this delicious slow-cooked chicken dish.
Notes
- For a thicker sauce, you can remove the lid of the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes and let the sauce reduce slightly.
- Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli to the slow cooker for a one-pot meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- This dish freezes well; freeze leftovers in portions and thaw before reheating.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of honey to suit your taste preferences.
