Sizzling tender chicken meets bold Asian-inspired flavors in this mouthwatering slow cooker Mongolian chicken delight that promises to revolutionize your dinner routine.
Packed with robust seasonings and a rich, glossy sauce, this dish delivers restaurant-quality taste straight from your kitchen.
The magic happens when each ingredient melds together, creating a symphony of sweet and savory notes.
Minimal prep work means maximum flavor with zero stress.
Succulent chicken bathes in a tantalizing sauce that clings perfectly to every bite.
Serve over steaming rice for a complete meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
This recipe transforms an ordinary weeknight into a culinary adventure worth savoring.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Calories: 291 kcal
Servings: 5
Ingredients in Mongolian Chicken in a Slow Cooker
For Protein Base:
Chicken Thighs: Delivers rich, tender meat perfect for slow cooking with deep flavor absorption and juicy texture..
For Sauce Components:
Soy Sauce, Hoisin Sauce: Creates umami-packed base with complex sweet and salty layers.
Brown Sugar: Balances savory elements with gentle caramel-like sweetness.
Water: Helps dilute and integrate sauce components.
Broccoli Florets: Adds nutritious green vegetable element with crisp freshness and color contrast.
Tools for Slow Cooking Mongolian Chicken
Slow Cooker: Essential for tender, flavorful chicken cooking.
Medium Bowl: Perfect for mixing the delicious sauce ingredients.
Small Saucepan: Ideal for thickening and reducing the sauce.
Whisk: Great for blending cornstarch slurry and stirring sauce smoothly.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Necessary for precise ingredient quantities.
Cutting Board: Helpful for preparing ingredients like garlic and ginger.
Sharp Knife: Useful for chopping ingredients and shredding chicken.
Easy Instructions for Mongolian Chicken
Mongolian Chicken Magic
Chicken Foundation Nestling tender chicken thighs into the cozy slow cooker creates the perfect base for our flavor journey.
Flavor Symphony Whisking together a dance of soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, hoisin sauce, ginger, garlic, and Sriracha transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary marinade.
Slow Cooking Embrace Letting the chicken bathe in these vibrant flavors for 2-3 hours allows every morsel to become deeply infused with rich, complex tastes.
Sauce Transformation Carefully transferring cooking liquids to a saucepan and introducing a cornstarch slurry magically thickens the sauce into a glossy, clingy coating.
Final Fusion Shredding the succulent chicken, reuniting it with the thickened sauce, and tucking in fresh broccoli florets completes this culinary adventure, creating a dish that's both comforting and exciting.
Flavor Tips for Mongolian Chicken in the Slow Cooker
Slow Cooker Savvy: Opt for bone-in chicken thighs to enhance the rich, deep flavor profile of this dish, as they remain more tender and juicy during long cooking periods.
Sauce Sensation: Experiment with heat levels by adjusting Sriracha quantities – less for mild lovers, more for spice enthusiasts who crave that extra kick of excitement.
Veggie Versatility: Swap broccoli with snap peas, bell peppers, or baby carrots to create interesting texture variations and keep the meal feeling fresh and unexpected.
Meal Prep Magic: This recipe freezes beautifully – store in airtight containers for up to 3 months, making busy weeknight dinners a breeze with minimal preparation required.
Garnish Greatness: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds, chopped green onions, or crushed red pepper flakes just before serving to add vibrant color and an extra layer of delicious complexity.
Serving Mongolian Chicken Warm
Dinner Table Transformation: Serve this Mongolian Chicken over steamed white or brown rice, creating a delicious base that soaks up all the flavorful sauce.
Asian-Inspired Plating: Garnish with thinly sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for added color and a subtle kick of heat.
Veggie Power-Up: Pair with quick-pickled cucumber slices or a crisp Asian slaw to add a refreshing crunch that balances the rich, savory chicken.
Family-Style Feast: Set out small bowls of extra sauce, additional Sriracha, and chopped herbs so everyone can customize their plate and enjoy interactive dining.
Store Mongolian Chicken for Later
Smart Storage Solutions: Transfer leftover chicken to airtight containers, keeping meals fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cooling completely before sealing helps maintain optimal texture and flavor.
Quick Freezer Stash: Portion chicken into freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, removing excess air. These meals will stay delicious for up to 2 months when properly sealed, making meal prep a breeze.
Reheating Magic: Gently warm refrigerated chicken in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to restore moisture. Microwave works too – cover and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.
Meal Prep Hack: Prepare double batches and divide into individual lunch portions. Stack containers strategically in the fridge for easy grab-and-go meals during busy weekdays, saving time and reducing daily cooking stress.
Savory Mongolian Chicken Delight beckons with rich, tangy flavors simmered to perfection. Slow cooker magic creates tender chicken infused with sweet and spicy sauce, promising a comforting meal you will crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs
3 cups (300 g) broccoli, cut into florets
0.5 cup (120 ml) low sodium soy sauce
0.5 cup (120 ml) water
3 tbsps hoisin sauce
2 tbsps light brown sugar
2 tbsps rice wine vinegar
2 tbsps water (for cornstarch mixture)
2 tsps sesame oil
1 tbsp cornstarch
4 cloves garlic, minced
1–2 tsps sriracha (adjust to desired spiciness)
1 tsp grated ginger
Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Layering Preparation: Arrange chicken thighs in a single, uniform layer across the slow cooker base.
Flavor Infusion: Whisk soy sauce, water, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, hoisin sauce, ginger, garlic, and Sriracha into a harmonious blend, ensuring complete ingredient integration.
Sauce Application: Pour the vibrant sauce over chicken, guaranteeing thorough meat coverage and flavor saturation.
Slow Cooking Process: Set slow cooker to low heat, allowing chicken to simmer and tenderize for 2-3 hours until meat effortlessly separates.
Sauce Reduction: Transfer cooking liquid to a saucepan, intensifying heat to concentrate flavors while creating a cornstarch slurry for sauce thickening.
Chicken Transformation: Shred chicken into delicate, succulent morsels using two forks, preparing for final flavor integration.
Final Fusion: Reintroduce shredded chicken to slow cooker, adding broccoli florets and coating thoroughly with glossy, reduced sauce, then allow an additional 30-minute melding period to achieve perfect texture and flavor harmony.
Notes
Chicken Placement Matters: Arrange thighs in a single layer to guarantee even cooking and consistent flavor absorption throughout the meat.
Sauce Mixing Technique: Whisk ingredients vigorously to create a harmonious blend that ensures no ingredient remains unmixed, developing a deep, complex flavor profile.
Thickening Sauce Secrets: Use cornstarch slurry carefully, adding gradually to prevent lumps and achieve a glossy, restaurant-quality sauce consistency.
Resting and Shredding Tip: Allow chicken to rest briefly before shredding, which helps retain moisture and creates perfect, tender bite-sized pieces that soak up the delicious sauce.
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles
Oregon Culinary Institute
Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.
Jessica Martin
Recipe Developer & Food Writer
Expertise
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Oregon Culinary Institute
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.