Name: Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken – A Flavor Explosion You Won’t Forget!
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: PT-483895H7M55S
Total time: PT-483895H7M55S
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1/2 cup soy sauce; 1/4 cup honey; 1/4 cup rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste) (optional for spice); 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening); 1 tablespoon water (optional, for cornstarch slurry); 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish); 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

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If you’re looking for a hands-off, flavorful meal, this Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken is your new go-to. It’s juicy, tender chicken infused with the sweet and savory flavors of Korean BBQ sauce. The best part? It’s all made in your slow cooker, so you can set it and forget it, while still getting a delicious, restaurant-quality meal. Perfect for a busy weeknight or a weekend gathering!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Minimal Effort – Just toss everything into the slow cooker, and let it do all the hard work for you. It’s super easy and convenient.
Bold and Flavorful – The combination of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar creates a rich, flavorful sauce that clings perfectly to the chicken.
Tender and Juicy – The slow cooking process results in chicken that’s incredibly moist and practically falls apart with a fork.

Ingredients

For the chicken:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons sesame oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste, optional for heat)
1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening, optional)

For serving:

Cooked rice
Sesame seeds
Green onions, chopped

(Find the full list of ingredients below)

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and gochujang (if using). This will be your flavorful sauce that gives the chicken that signature Korean BBQ taste.

Step 2: Set Up the Slow Cooker

Place your chicken breasts (or thighs) in the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the chicken, making sure it’s well-coated.

Step 3: Slow Cook the Chicken

Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 4-6 hours, or until the chicken is tender and easily shreds with a fork. If you’re in a rush, you can cook it on high for 2-3 hours, but the chicken may not be as tender.

Step 4: Thicken the Sauce (Optional)

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and set it aside. If you’d like a thicker sauce, whisk in the cornstarch and let the sauce cook on high for another 10-15 minutes to thicken. Then return the chicken to the sauce.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the shredded chicken over a bed of cooked rice. Top with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for a finishing touch. You’re all set to enjoy!

Expert Tips and Tricks

For Extra Flavor – Marinate the chicken in the sauce for an hour or two before cooking it in the slow cooker to allow the flavors to soak in.
For a Little Heat – Add more gochujang or a few dashes of chili flakes if you prefer a spicier version of the dish.
Shredding the Chicken – After cooking, shred the chicken with two forks for a perfect, pull-apart texture.

Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions

Vegetarian Option – Swap the chicken for tofu or tempeh for a plant-based version of this dish.
For More Veggies – Add in some sliced bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli during the last 30 minutes of cooking to turn this into a one-pot meal.
Korean BBQ Beef – You can easily substitute the chicken with beef (such as short ribs or flank steak) for a Korean BBQ beef version.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Pair With – Serve this dish over a bed of steamed jasmine rice, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. For extra crunch, add some kimchi on the side.
Add a Salad – Pair it with a simple Asian-inspired salad of mixed greens, cucumber, and a light sesame dressing to balance out the richness of the chicken.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Storage – Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating – Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet on low heat with a splash of water or broth to keep it juicy. You can also reheat the chicken in the slow cooker on low for about 30 minutes.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken! Just make sure to increase the cooking time by about an hour, as frozen chicken will take longer to cook through.

2. Can I make this in the Instant Pot?
Yes, you can! Use the “Pressure Cook” function for 8-10 minutes on high, then quick release. The chicken will be just as tender.

3. Can I freeze this recipe?
Absolutely! This recipe freezes well. Just store the cooked chicken and sauce in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving.

4. What can I serve with this dish?
This dish pairs wonderfully with rice, but you could also serve it with noodles, steamed veggies, or even in a wrap for a fun twist.

Conclusion

This Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken is a flavorful, easy, and hands-off recipe that’s perfect for busy days. It’s packed with bold flavors, tender chicken, and all the deliciousness of Korean BBQ without having to leave your kitchen. Give it a try, and you’ll quickly be hooked on this simple yet irresistible dish!

Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken – A Flavor Explosion You Won’t Forget!

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This delicious Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken is a perfect mix of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. The chicken cooks slowly in a flavorful sauce made with soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger, becoming melt-in-your-mouth tender. Serve it over rice or in a wrap for a quick and satisfying meal.

Author: Touria Elkoudssi
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4-6 hours (slow cooker)
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: Korean
Diet: Gluten Free

Instructions

Prepare the Sauce:
In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and gochujang (if using). Stir until the sugar dissolves.
Cook the Chicken:
Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken, ensuring it’s evenly covered.
Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and easily shreds with a fork.
Shred the Chicken:
Once the chicken is done cooking, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.
If you want a thicker sauce, mix cornstarch with a little water to make a slurry and stir it into the sauce in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Serve:
Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat it in the sauce.
Serve the chicken over rice or in wraps. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can marinate the chicken in the sauce overnight before cooking.
If you like extra spice, increase the amount of gochujang or add chili flakes.
Serve with steamed vegetables or a simple salad for a balanced meal.