Description
This Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken is a delicious and easy way to enjoy the bold, savory flavors of Korean BBQ at home. Tender chicken thighs are cooked low and slow in a sweet, spicy, and tangy sauce made with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Perfect for serving over rice or in tacos, this recipe is a hands-off, flavorful dinner that’s sure to become a weeknight favorite.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts, if preferred)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean red chili paste) or sriracha (for spice)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
- 2 tablespoons green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 1/2 cup water (optional, to thin the sauce)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey (or brown sugar), sesame oil, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and gochujang (or sriracha). Stir until well combined.
- Slow Cook the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker and pour the sauce over the top, ensuring the chicken is well-coated. Add 1/2 cup of water if you prefer more sauce.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Thicken the Sauce (optional): If you’d like a thicker sauce, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and transfer the sauce to a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and mix in the cornstarch (dissolved in a small amount of water) to thicken. Alternatively, you can shred the chicken and allow it to absorb the sauce.
- Serve: Shred the chicken (optional) and serve over steamed rice, in tacos, or with roasted vegetables. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of gochujang or sriracha to taste.
- This recipe works well with chicken breasts, but thighs are recommended for their juiciness and flavor.
- You can add vegetables like bell peppers or onions into the slow cooker for added texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe (about 1 chicken thigh with sauce)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 75mg