Mongolian Chicken Delight In A Slow Cooker Recipe

Savory Mongolian Chicken Delight Slow Cooker Recipe

Mongolian chicken emerges as a tantalizing culinary adventure that promises extraordinary flavor sensations.

Regional influences converge in this remarkable dish, creating a complex yet approachable meal.

Tender meat marinates in rich, savory ingredients that dance across your palate with remarkable depth.

slow cooker techniques guarantee succulent results that melt effortlessly with each delectable bite.

Home cooks can easily master this straightforward recipe without complex kitchen skills.

Aromatic spices and balanced sauces elevate simple ingredients into something truly spectacular.

You can experience a remarkable journey through bold, comforting flavors that transport your senses to distant culinary landscapes.

Explore this mouthwatering experience and unlock a world of delicious possibilities.

Why Mongolian Chicken Delight in a Slow Cooker Is a Weeknight Win

  • Effortlessly create a mouthwatering chicken dish with minimal hands-on time, perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious meals without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • The combination of soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and Sriracha creates a rich, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce that transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary meal.
  • Cooking chicken thighs in a slow cooker ensures incredibly moist and tender meat that falls apart easily, making it a crowd-pleasing protein option for family dinners or meal prep.
  • Adding broccoli florets provides a nutritious green element that complements the savory chicken, creating a well-balanced one-pot meal that's both delicious and wholesome.

Ingredients for Mongolian Chicken Delight

Protein Base:
  • Chicken Thighs: Juicy and tender meat that becomes succulent when slow-cooked, perfect for absorbing rich flavors.
Sauce Ingredients:
  • Soy Sauce, Hoisin Sauce: Provides deep umami and sweet-savory base for the chicken, choose low-sodium options if preferred.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds caramelized sweetness and helps balance the salty components.
  • Sesame Oil: Brings nutty and aromatic flavor, use toasted sesame oil for more intense taste.
  • Rice Wine Vinegar: Adds bright acidity to cut through rich flavors.
  • Ginger, Garlic: Classic Asian aromatics that provide depth and warmth to the sauce.
  • Sriracha: Introduces a spicy kick, adjust amount based on heat preference.
Thickening and Finishing Ingredients:
  • Cornstarch, Water: Creates a slurry to thicken the sauce, ensuring a glossy and clingy consistency.
  • Broccoli Florets: Adds fresh green color and nutritional value, provides textural contrast to the tender chicken.

Slow Cooker Steps for Mongolian Chicken Delight

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Base

Line the slow cooker with chicken thighs, creating a perfect foundation for your flavorful meal. Ensure the thighs are evenly spread across the bottom of the cooker.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Sauce

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the following ingredients:
  • Soy sauce
  • Water
  • Brown sugar
  • Sesame oil
  • Rice wine vinegar
  • Hoisin sauce
  • Fresh ginger
  • Minced garlic
  • Sriracha sauce

Blend these ingredients until they form a harmonious, aromatic mixture that will infuse the chicken with incredible taste.

Step 3: Initiate Slow Cooking

Pour the vibrant sauce directly over the chicken thighs. Cover the slow cooker and set it to low heat. Allow the chicken to simmer and absorb the rich flavors for 2-3 hours, transforming it into a tender, mouthwatering delight.

Step 4: Prepare Sauce Reduction

Once the chicken is cooked, carefully transfer the pieces to a separate plate. Pour the remaining liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan, preparing it for the next magical step.

Step 5: Thicken Sauce Perfectly

Create a smooth cornstarch slurry by mixing water and cornstarch. Gradually whisk this into the saucepan of liquid. Heat the mixture on high, stirring constantly until the sauce becomes gloriously thick and begins to bubble with excitement.

Step 6: Combine and Finish

Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Add the luscious thickened sauce and fresh broccoli florets. Gently toss everything together, ensuring each piece is beautifully coated. Cook on low for an additional 30 minutes, allowing the broccoli to become tender and absorb the incredible flavors.

Tips for Bold Flavor in Mongolian Chicken

  • Master Sauce Balancing: Adjust seasonings like soy sauce and Sriracha to create a perfect sweet-tangy flavor profile that complements the chicken.
  • Prevent Dry Chicken: Keep chicken thighs submerged in sauce during cooking to maintain moisture and ensure tender, juicy meat.
  • Cornstarch Slurry Secret: Whisk cornstarch and water thoroughly to avoid lumps and achieve a smooth, glossy sauce consistency.
  • Broccoli Texture Trick: Add broccoli florets toward the end of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain a crisp, vibrant green color.
  • Temperature Control Technique: Use low heat setting to allow chicken to slowly absorb flavors and become incredibly tender without becoming tough.

How to Store and Reheat Mongolian Chicken Delight

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover Mongolian Chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Freeze: Transfer cooled chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen chicken maintains quality for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat: Warm refrigerated chicken in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water to prevent drying. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even heating, until the chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.

What to Pair with Mongolian Chicken Delight

  • Pair with Jasmine Rice Harmony: Serve the Mongolian Chicken over fluffy jasmine rice to soak up the rich, savory sauce and balance the bold flavors.
  • Complement with Asian Slaw Crunch: Create a side of crisp Asian-style coleslaw with rice vinegar dressing to provide a refreshing contrast to the tender, spicy chicken.
  • Match with Crisp Riesling Delight: Choose a slightly sweet Riesling wine that cuts through the dish's spiciness and complements the umami-packed sauce, creating a perfect flavor balance.
  • Enhance with Green Tea Cooldown: Brew a light, subtly grassy green tea to cleanse the palate and soothe the mild heat from the Sriracha and ginger in the chicken.

Fun Twists for Mongolian Chicken Delight

  • Spicy Ginger Kick: Replace Sriracha with fresh jalapeños and double the ginger for an extra fiery and bold flavor profile.
  • Thai-Inspired Version: Swap hoisin sauce with red curry paste and add coconut milk for a creamy, exotic Southeast Asian-style chicken dish.
  • Honey Sesame Fusion: Substitute brown sugar with honey, increase sesame oil, and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top for a nutty, sweet-savory combination.
  • Low-Carb Green Swap: Replace broccoli with cauliflower florets and use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a keto-friendly alternative that maintains the rich, complex flavors of the original recipe.

Mongolian Chicken Delight FAQs

  • Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, chicken breasts work fine, but thighs tend to be more tender and flavorful in slow cooker recipes.

  • How long can I store leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat gently to maintain moisture.

  • Is this recipe spicy?

The Sriracha adds a mild kick, but you can adjust or omit it for a milder version. The heat level is moderate and customizable.

  • Can I make this recipe without a slow cooker?

While slow cookers are ideal, you can adapt this to an oven-safe dish. Bake at 325°F for about 1.5-2 hours, checking chicken’s internal temperature.

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Mongolian Chicken Delight In A Slow Cooker Recipe

Mongolian Chicken Delight In A Slow Cooker Recipe


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4.8 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Slow-simmered Mongolian Chicken Delight brings bold Asian flavors to your dinner table with tender chicken bathed in a rich, sweet-savory sauce. Hearty ingredients meld perfectly, delivering a comforting meal that satisfies deep hunger and delights taste buds.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless skinless chicken thighs

Sauce Ingredients:

  • 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) low sodium soy sauce
  • 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) water
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 12 teaspoons sriracha (adjust to desired spiciness)

Thickening and Additional Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water (additional for cornstarch mixture)
  • 3 cups (approximately 300 grams) broccoli, cut into florets
  • Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Position chicken thighs as a single layer along the base of the slow cooker, ensuring even distribution.
  2. Create a rich flavor base by whisking together soy sauce, water, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, hoisin sauce, minced ginger, crushed garlic, and Sriracha in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
  3. Cascade the prepared sauce over the chicken pieces, guaranteeing complete coverage across the meat.
  4. Configure the slow cooker to low temperature and allow the chicken to simmer and absorb flavors for approximately 2-3 hours until meat becomes tender and easily pulls apart.
  5. Extract the cooked chicken and transfer to a separate plate, letting it rest momentarily while preparing the sauce reduction.
  6. Transfer the remaining cooking liquid into a saucepan, heating over high intensity to concentrate the flavors.
  7. Craft a cornstarch slurry by blending water and cornstarch until smooth, then gradually incorporate into the simmering liquid to create a glossy, thickened sauce.
  8. Delicately shred the rested chicken using two forks, pulling the meat into succulent, bite-sized fragments.
  9. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker, introducing broccoli florets and thoroughly coating everything with the newly developed sauce.
  10. Allow the mixture to meld together on low temperature for an additional 30 minutes, ensuring broccoli reaches perfect tenderness and absorbs the surrounding flavors.

Notes

  • Slow cooking transforms tough chicken thighs into meltingly tender meat bursting with rich Asian-inspired flavors.
  • Cornstarch slurry acts as a magical thickening agent, turning thin liquid into a glossy, restaurant-quality sauce.
  • Hoisin and Sriracha bring complex sweet, tangy, and spicy notes that elevate this simple dish beyond ordinary weeknight meals.
  • Cooking broccoli during the final 30 minutes ensures crisp-tender vegetables without losing their vibrant green color and nutritional value.
  • Sesame oil and rice wine vinegar contribute authentic depth and brightness, creating a perfectly balanced sauce that coats every chicken morsel.
  • Resting the chicken before shredding helps retain moisture, resulting in juicier and more succulent meat texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Mongolian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 31 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
Isabella Rossi

Isabella Rossi

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life. 

His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.

He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.

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