Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup cornstarch or arrowroot powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2-3 pieces), cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
  • **4 - 5 dried red chili peppers (to taste) found in Asian supermarkets or the International section of a large chain grocery store - see NOTE)
  • Sauce
  • 1/2 cup gluten free tamari (or low sodium-soy sauce or coconut aminos for paleo)
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 3 tablespoons honey (use raw for paleo)
  • 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce (use gluten free or the homemade paleo version instead - see NOTES)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2-3 tablespoons concentrated organic tomato paste or ketchup (for paleo or gluten free - use the homemade ketchup recipe - see NOTES)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper chili flakes
  • 1-2 teaspoons red chili garlic paste (for gluten free or paleo use 1/2 - 1 teaspoon dried red pepper chili flakes instead - use more if you prefer it spicier)
  • Starch slurry
  • 2-3 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot powder
  • 3 tablespoons water


Instructions

  1. In a large zip-top bag, toss in the chicken, cornstarch and black pepper. Shake until well-coated.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken about 2-3 minutes on each side, until lightly browned. Transfer chicken into the slow cooker.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the sauce and pour over chicken.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 2.5 - 4 hours or HIGH for 1.5 - 3 hours. (SEE NOTES)
  5. About 30 minutes before serving, whisk together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl and stir into the slow cooker. Toss in the dried red chili peppers or red pepper chili flakes. Cover and cook on HIGH for another 20-30 minutes or until the sauce has thickened up.
  6. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, green onions and serve over rice, quinoa or zoodles, if desired.


Notes

*For homemade hoisin sauce --> https://goo.gl/4hWHV9

**For homemade ketchup sauce -> https://goo.gl/OA23dq

**If you can't find dried red chili peppers, leave out and add an additional 1 teaspoon red pepper chili flakes

***If your slow cooker runs hot, be sure to check on chicken earlier as it may cook faster than the suggested cooking times.


Slow Cooker General Tso's Chicken: