Description
Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken offers a perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors with tender, juicy chicken thighs slow-cooked in a glossy, tangy sauce. This hands-off recipe uses simple, natural ingredients like grape juice, apple cider vinegar, and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce to create a healthier, family-friendly comfort meal that’s effortless to prepare and delightful to enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Protein
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, chopped
Sauce
- 1 cup grape juice (natural)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (natural)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 3 cloves garlic, freshly minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
Thickener
- 1 tsp natural gelling agent dissolved in 2 tbsp warm water
Garnish
- 2 green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken and Bacon: Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Chop the smoked turkey bacon into small strips. Brown the smoked turkey bacon slightly in a skillet over medium heat until it crisps up and releases its smoky flavor.
- Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together grape juice, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce (natural), brown sugar, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), freshly minced garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
- Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker: Place the chicken and the browned smoked turkey bacon into the slow cooker. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and bacon. Stir gently to coat all the pieces evenly. Add the natural gelling agent dissolved in warm water to the slow cooker to help thicken the sauce as it cooks.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4 to 6 hours until the chicken is tender and fully infused with the sauce. Stir gently once or twice during cooking for even flavor distribution.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, sprinkle chopped green onions over the dish for freshness and color. Serve the Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken over steamed rice, cauliflower rice, or your preferred grain for a complete meal.
Notes
- Prep ingredients ahead of time by chopping garlic, ginger, and smoked turkey bacon to save time on cooking day.
- Chicken thighs retain moisture better than chicken breasts during slow cooking, making for juicier results.
- Adjust red pepper flakes gradually to control the spice level; it is easier to add heat than to reduce it.
- Stir the contents once or twice during cooking to ensure even flavor and sauce distribution.
- Dissolve the natural gelling agent in warm water before adding to avoid clumps and achieve a smooth sauce texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken, slow cooker chicken, sweet and spicy chicken, natural ingredients, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, healthy comfort food