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Easy Crockpot Sesame Chicken (Gluten-Free)

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This Easy Crockpot Sesame Chicken is a gluten-free, set-it-and-forget-it dinner that delivers sticky, savory-sweet flavor with minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights, it uses simple pantry ingredients and yields tender, fall-apart chicken in a glossy sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/2 cup tamari (or coconut aminos for soy-free)
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (unseasoned)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup cold water mixed with 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • Cooked white rice or cauliflower rice (for serving)
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Whisk the sauce together. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup tamari, 1/3 cup honey, 3 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon grated ginger, and 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil. Whisk until smooth.
  2. Place the chicken in the slow cooker. Arrange 2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a single layer at the bottom of your crockpot. Pour the sauce over the chicken, making sure each piece gets coated.
  3. Cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The chicken is done when it shreds easily with a fork. About 30 minutes before serving, remove the lid to let some liquid evaporate.
  4. Shred the chicken. Using two forks, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Do not drain the sauce. Stir to coat evenly.
  5. Thicken the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk 1/4 cup cold water with 2 tablespoons cornstarch until smooth. Pour this slurry into the slow cooker and stir well. Let it cook on high for 10-15 minutes, uncovered, until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
  6. Toast the sesame seeds (optional). Toast 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, shaking frequently, until golden and fragrant.
  7. Serve and garnish. Spoon the sesame chicken over steamed rice or cauliflower rice. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Drizzle extra sauce over the top.

Notes

If using chicken breasts, reduce cook time to 3-4 hours on low. Pat chicken dry before adding to crockpot to help sauce cling. For frozen chicken, add 1-2 hours to cook time and an extra tablespoon of cornstarch to the slurry. Double the sauce if you love extra. Add cornstarch slurry only at the end, not at the beginning.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot sesame chicken, gluten-free sesame chicken, slow cooker chicken, easy dinner, gluten-free dinner, sesame chicken recipe

Find it online: https://chloeplate.com/easy-crockpot-sesame-chicken-gluten-free/