Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken Recipe

If you’re craving a weeknight dinner that sits right on the line between takeout comfort and home-cooked magic, Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken is your new best friend. This dish is incredibly flavorful, exceptionally easy, and just the thing to make you feel like a kitchen hero with hardly any effort. Imagine juicy, tender chicken thighs that practically melt off the bone, blanketed in a shiny, sweet-savory sauce, then finished with the crunch of fresh green onions. Whether you’re cooking for your family, meal prepping, or serving friends, Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken brings big, bold flavor you won’t soon forget!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The joy of this recipe lies in its simplicity — every ingredient has a job, from giving the chicken its crave-worthy taste to creating that irresistible glossy glaze. Let’s break down what makes each component shine in Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken:

• Chicken thighs: Rich, tender, and full of flavor, bone-in, skin-on thighs stay juicy and develop a deep flavor as they slow cook.
• Lite soy sauce (low sodium): Adds that unmistakable umami depth and saltiness without overpowering the dish, keeping things balanced.
• Dark brown sugar: Lends both sweetness and a deep caramel note that makes the sauce taste like it came from your favorite Asian restaurant.
• Ground ginger (or fresh ginger): Brings gentle warmth and zing, brightening up the sauce — go with fresh for extra pop if you love a strong ginger flavor.
• Garlic powder (or minced garlic): Infuses each bite with aromatic, savory undertones — fresh garlic gives even more pungent charm for garlic lovers.
• Sesame seeds and sliced green onions (optional): For the perfect finishing touch — they add color, crunch, and just a hint of toasty, fresh flavor on top.

How to Make Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce

Start by grabbing a bowl and mixing together the lite soy sauce, dark brown sugar, ground or fresh ginger, and garlic powder or minced garlic. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely. This sauce is the heart of your Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken — it’s sweet, salty, and a little bit spicy, with a glossy texture that soaks into every bite.

Step 2: Arrange the Chicken

Place your chicken thighs in the slow cooker, skin side up. This ensures the skin gets slightly crisp and bastes itself in the flavorful sauce as it cooks. Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken so each thigh is well coated.

Step 3: Set It and Forget It

Now for the best part — let your slow cooker do all the work! Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours. The chicken will emerge irresistibly tender, falling right off the bone and steeped in that rich Mongolian-style sauce.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Once the chicken is cooked through and your kitchen smells out-of-this-world, it’s time for the finishing touches. Sprinkle the Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. These garnishes add freshness, color, and a delightful crunch to every bite.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken

Garnishes

This dish really shines with a handful of sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds on top. Not only do they make everything look restaurant-worthy, but their fresh bite and nuttiness elevate the whole meal. Feel free to get creative with a drizzle of chili oil if you like a little heat, or even some crunchy fried shallots for extra texture.

Side Dishes

Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken begs to be served over a warm bed of steamed jasmine rice or fluffy brown rice to soak up all that luscious sauce. For a lighter option, try serving it over cauliflower rice or with a side of simply sautéed bok choy or steamed broccoli. Anything that can absorb the sauce or provide a veggie balance is perfect alongside this flavorful chicken.

Creative Ways to Present

Transform leftovers into a standout lunch by shredding the chicken and stuffing it into soft lettuce wraps or steamed buns, or slice and pile it over a vibrant noodle salad. For an easy crowd-pleaser, lay out toppings like pickled veggies and extra herbs so everyone can customize their own bowl with the Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken as the star.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken makes for fantastic next-day meals. Once cooled, transfer chicken and sauce to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen even more overnight, making each bite extra satisfying.

Freezing

You can easily freeze leftovers if you want to plan ahead. Just remove the chicken from the bones, mix it with the sauce, and store it in a freezer-safe bag or container. This Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken will keep beautifully in the freezer for up to 2 months — a lifesaver for busy nights.

Reheating

When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, gently reheat the chicken and sauce in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it seems too thick. You can also microwave individual portions in short bursts, stirring frequently to make sure everything heats evenly. The rich sauce will become glossy again, and the flavors will bloom with a quick reheat.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Absolutely! Chicken breasts will work just fine, though they tend to be less juicy than thighs. Be sure not to overcook them, as breasts can dry out a bit faster in the slow cooker. Reduce the cooking time by about an hour if using boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

Is it possible to make Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken spicy?

Yes, if you love a little kick, add a pinch (or more!) of red pepper flakes or a squirt of sriracha to the sauce before pouring it over the chicken. The touch of heat pairs beautifully with the sweet and salty profile of the dish.

Do I have to brown the chicken before slow cooking?

No browning is necessary for this recipe, which keeps things simple! However, if you want extra color and flavor, you can quickly sear the chicken thighs in a hot skillet for a couple of minutes per side before adding them to the slow cooker.

Can I double the recipe?

Definitely! Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken is easy to double for a crowd. Just make sure not to overfill your slow cooker and adjust the layering so every thigh gets some sauce. Cooking time may be slightly longer if your slow cooker is very full.

What if I don’t have dark brown sugar?

If you only have light brown sugar, go ahead and use it — the flavor will be slightly milder, but still delicious! You can also add a teaspoon of molasses to regular brown sugar to mimic the depth of dark brown sugar.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like coming home to the aroma of Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken bubbling away, promising a satisfying, delicious meal with almost no hands-on prep. If you haven’t tried this dish yet, it’s about to become a new favorite in your rotation. Put it on your menu this week — you’ll be amazed at how easy and rewarding it is!

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