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This single serving Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken is a lighter take on the popular takeout dish, made with tender chicken thighs simmered in a flavorful honey-soy sauce. Perfectly portioned for one and cooked in a mini slow cooker, it’s an easy and satisfying meal.
Featured Comment
“This recipe is so good, and almost effortless…”
– Kathleen
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and minimal prep.
- Lighter Option: No breading or frying, but still full of flavor.
- Adaptable: Easy to adjust for dietary needs or preferences.
I love this recipe so much and couldn’t wait to share it with you. It’s our lighter take on classic sesame chicken – no breading, no frying, just tender, flavorful chicken in a sweet and tangy sauce made right in the slow cooker. It’s the kind of meal that feels special but couldn’t be easier to make.
Looking for more mini slow cooker recipes? We’ve got plenty! Try our small slow cooker ropa vieja, small slow cooker Italian wedding soup, single serving slow cooker pot roast, single serving slow cooker chickpeas and sausage, and small slow cooker ribs.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this easy sesame chicken recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Chicken: Use 1 or 2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the best flavor and tenderness. A chicken breast can also be used if you prefer a leaner option. Got extra thighs? Use them in chicken cacciatore for one or a chicken burrito bowl.
- Sauce Ingredients: A mix of honey, soy sauce, ketchup, olive oil, garlic, and dried onions creates a thick, flavorful sauce. For a gluten-free option, use Tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. To make it vegan, substitute honey with agave or maple syrup.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How To Make Sesame Chicken In A Slow Cooker
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
Place one or two chicken thighs in the base of a 1.5-quart slow cooker and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, olive oil, dried onions, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Pour the sauce over the chicken, cover, and cook on low for 4 hours, or until the chicken is tender. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water, then stir it into the sauce. Cover and cook on high for 10 minutes, until the sauce thickens. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, return to the slow cooker, and stir to coat with the sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve with rice, if desired.
For rice, try our single serving recipes for baked white rice or baked brown rice.
Single Serving Rice Tip:
Make a batch of rice, portion it into a muffin pan, and freeze. Transfer the frozen rice portions to a freezer bag, then reheat individual servings as needed.
Expert Tips
- Adjust the Heat: Add more or less red pepper flakes to suit your taste.
- Thin the Sauce: If the sauce is too thick, stir in a little water or chicken broth.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Double It: To make more, double the ingredients and use a 3-quart slow cooker instead of a mini one.
RELATED: How To Cook Small Meals In A Large Slow Cooker
Serving Suggestions
Pair your Sesame Chicken with a simple vegetable side or a lighter grain to round out the meal. Here are a few recipes from our site that go well with it:
Frequently Asked Questions
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
A 1.5-quart slow cooker is ideal for this single serving recipe.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small crock pot recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this small batch slow cooker sesame chicken or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Mini Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 (6 to 7 ounce) boneless skinless chicken thigh
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried onions
- 1 clove garlic -minced
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 cup cooked rice (optional)
Instructions
- Place the chicken thigh in the base of a 1.5-quart slow cooker and season with salt and pepper.
- In a bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, olive oil, dried onions, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender.
- Remove the chicken and place it on a cutting board.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water. Stir the mixture into the sauce, cover, and cook on high for 10 minutes to thicken.
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and return to the slow cooker. Stir to coat with the sauce.
- Top with sesame seeds and serve over rice, if desired. (See notes for single serving rice instructions.)
Notes
- Adjust the Heat: Add more or less red pepper flakes to suit your taste.
- Thin the Sauce: If the sauce is too thick, stir in a little water or chicken broth.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Double It: To make more, double the ingredients and use a 3-quart slow cooker instead of a mini one.
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup white rice
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Delicious will definitely make again!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it.
I made this slow cooker chicken thigh, and it was good, with one exception. Would reduce honey to one tablespoon.
I made this for dinner tonight. Used a chicken breast and I have 2 meals from it! I loved it and it will fall into my rotation!! Thanks for the recipe!
I’m so glad you loved it. Thank you for making it part of your recipe rotation!
This recipe is so good, and almost effortless. I used one large breast, instead of the thighs.
We had it over wide egg noodles.
Definitely saving this one!
This looks like a great recipe but I only have a large low cooker. Should I just double the recipe?
Thanks for your interest in our recipes. It’s great that you’re eager to try them out. Our slow cooker recipes are specifically tailored for a 1.5-quart slow cooker. If you’re using a larger, standard 6-quart slow cooker, simply doubling the recipe might not be the best solution, as the size difference is quite significant.
However, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We have a helpful post on how to adapt small meals for a larger slow cooker. This guide will assist you in making adjustments so you can enjoy our recipes with your current appliance: https://onedishkitchen.com/cook-small-meals-in-slow-cooker/
For future reference, the ideal slow cooker size for our recipes is between 1.5 to 2 quarts. But for now, do check out the post for tips on using your larger slow cooker effectively.
Absolutely delicious
Made this for dinner tonight and my husband and I really liked it. Also made the baked white rice from this site and it turned out perfect. I did two thighs and it made enough for three small servings. I am always telling people about this site because the recipes are easy and really good.
Really like my new small crockpot. Would love to see more recipes other than the four chicken ones. I did find some on the internet but I prefer your recipes
Thank you, Kathleen. We’ll be adding new slow cooker recipes soon. In the meantime, you might like to try our slow cooker red beans and rice recipe: https://onedishkitchen.com/slow-cooker-red-beans-and-rice-for-one/ or our slow cooker meatloaf in addition to our chicken recipes: https://onedishkitchen.com/slow-cooker-meatloaf-for-one/
I made this last night and my husband loved it. The sauce is so good.
Just made it, thank you, really lovely x
Fantastic I made as per recipe only using half as much honey for dietary reasons and served over cauliflower rice for a low/no carb dinner which I thoroughly enjoyed. Very little time to make and the crock pot/slow cooker did all the work couldn’t ask for better thank you made for What’s On The Menu tag game at FF&F.
Is it possible to make the sauce and pour over the chicken and freeze it. Then place it in the refrigerator the night before to slightly thaw, then throw in the crockpot the next morning?
Yes.
I too have a 1.5 quart slow cooker. Thank you for having recipes that I can use in it.
I got mine for a local thrift shop down the street!
Thank you again!!!
God Bless you!,
Have been looking for 1.5 qt crock pot recipes. So happy to find your site. The recipe looks so good. If I use chicken breasts instead of thighs would I need to shorten the cooking time?
No, the cooking time stays the same. Enjoy!
If you cooked brown rice rather than white is water to rice ratio the same? Also do you plan on giving cooking instructions for your recipes using air fryer and Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker when possible? So many of us have these appliances now. I am getting your cookbook, I am loving your recipes!
Pam, I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipes. Thank you so much for your support. I use this recipe for brown rice, and it makes perfect rice every time – https://onedishkitchen.com/baked-brown-rice-for-one/.
We have a few Instant Pot recipes and they can be found by using the search bar in the upper right side of the page. At the moment we do not have any air fryer recipes.
Hi Joanie. I made the Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken in a 1-1/2 quart oval-shaped corning ware dish that fit perfectly inside my larger slow cooker. It was delicious!! The second time I used 2 pork chops instead of chicken and, again, it was a hit. Thank you so much!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thank you for taking the time to let me know.
Just ordered your book & looking forward to trying the recipes.
Thank you so much, Isabelle. I hope you find many new recipes you love. Please let me know if you find any favorites.
Very tasty! My husband and I loved it. Will definitely make again. I did cook the sauce a little on the stove top to thicken a little more, but otherwise made exactly as per the recipe. Thank you for these smaller crockpot recipes. Please keep developing more! My sister-in-law bought us a 3 crock slow cooker which has three 1.5 quart crocks about 5 years ago. Haven’t used it til now and this was perfect! Did your sesame chicken & chicken piccata, Didn’t have the ingredients or would have done a 3rd. Can’t wait to try your red beans & rice. Tried your quiche the other day & adapted the time & temp for my air fryer. Very nice! I plan to use your recipes when preparing meals for a sick friend who lives alone as well as for my husband and me. Thanks again. Love your site & have been recommending it to others. Wish I’d known about it sooner!
Thank you so much, Rona. I’m so glad you’re finding the recipes helpful.
I’m 92 years old and still cooking; Does the chicken have to be boneless?
No, the chicken does not have to be boneless.
When I turn to metric measurement the cup and spoon measurements stay the same although I know that they are different here in Britain than in the US, any advice? Thank you. Just cooking Sesame Chicken in new mini cooker and it smells delicious. Thanks..
Hi Catherine,
There is a very slight difference between UK cups and US cups,the difference is very small (5%). At a 1/4 cup, the UK and US measurements are essentially the same.
A US teaspoon is 20% bigger than a UK teaspoon. I’m not sure why this change isn’t reflected in the recipe and I’ll look into it.
Thank you.
I tried this sesame chicken recipe yesterday and it is delicious! This is definitely one that will be made again and again. The sauce I plan to try with different meats to change things up. I hope there will be more crockpot recipes since they are so fast and easy. Love the site, and the recipes I’ve tried have been winners!
Thank you so much, Adele. I’m so happy you enjoyed the chicken – and yes, more slow cooker recipe will be coming soon!
Joanie
Small batch banana bread muffins. Outstanding…I added1/4plus teaspoon of cinnamon. These are a WINNER!! THANK YOU!!
Hi Carol,
I’m so happy you enjoyed the muffins. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know.
Joanie
I just found your blog today and I’m so happy! I just bought a 1.5 qt cooker and looked for recipes under that. Not much. I tried slow cooker recipes for one thinking much won’t come up. This will be the 1st recipe I try in my new cooker!
I have a Rival little slow cooker. Model 3215. Just the right size. I have had it for many years but if you google it I’m sure you can find one. Love all your recipes. I have just pinned a bunch of them. Thank you so much❤️
Hi Pauline,
Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing the type of slow cooker you use and love. Reader recommendations help so much.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Joanie
Susan,
At this time, Amazon does sell the Elite Gourmet that I link to in the recipe. It is a 1.5 quart slow cooker. The blue Hamilton Beach shown in the photos may not be available.
Here is a link describing how to cook small meals in a large slow cooker if you would like to modify the size you already own.
https://onedishkitchen.com/cook-small-meals-in-slow-cooker/
Since Amazon no longer has the tiny slow cooker like your blue one, I’m curious to know who makes it. The ones they carry now don’t suit me and cost over $20 more than yours did. Perhaps it can be found elsewhere. I’m hoping so anyway. Still enjoying your recipes and handy info. in the newsletter, on Pinterest and with the group on Facebook.
Hi Tess,
The blue slow cooker is a Hamilton Beach Party Crock and you’re right, it doesn’t seem to be carried on Amazon at the moment. I also have and use a 1.5 quart Elite Gourmet slow cooker and on Amazon the price ranges from $12 – $15. I’ve used it for a while and it hasn’t given me any trouble. Here is a link to the slow cooker I use – https://amzn.to/2VM4IDF
I’m so happy you are enjoying the recipes. Thank you so much for letting me know and have a wonderful weekend!
Joanie
This looks great and that little slow-cooker is too cute!
Yum! What a cute little mini slow cooker!
Even though it’s BBQ season, I still like to use my slow cooker now and then too. This chicken dish looks delicious, so I’ll definitely be giving it a try.
This is the first time I on your blog and I am loving it! I often am cooking by myself and it’s hard for me to make meals. I need to look into your recipes!
I’m so glad you found us and I hope you find many recipes here that you love!
How cute is that mini slow cooker?! I’m definitely passing this along the singles in my life — looks delicious!
Thanks so much, Dee!
How cute is that slow cooker! Love this scaled down version.
it’s impossible to find recipes for one – especially great ones like this- Im seeing your blog for the first time today & Im loving it!
Thank you so much!!
This is some delicious looking sesame chicken! I would much prefer it to the breaded kind!
I love the idea of making a meal for one! There are so many people out there who don’t cook because it makes so much. I can’t wait to share this one!
Thank you Dorothy!
I love using my slow cooker. It’s the easiest way I can prepare delicious meals without putting in too much effort. I am going to try this sesame chicken.
Awesome, I would love to know how you liked it.
I love using my slow cooker. It’s the easiest way I can prepare delicious meals without putting in too much effort. I am going to try this sesame chicken.
This sounds delicious! I’m always looking for interesting and easy recipes for weeknight meals– this one sounds like a winner. Thanks for sharing!
xoxo,
Liv
Yum! I’m always looking for new recipes I can use for the slowcooker! So good!
That looks great. I am a huge fan of slow cooker meals to help save me time in the kitchen. Only, then I end up eating the same meal for the rest of the week because there’s so much! I didn’t realize you could buy the small sized slow cookers!
Thanks, Deborah. This mini slow cooker is great for anyone cooking for one or two. They can be found on Amazon.
This looks so delicious! I am definitely trying it! Thanks for sharing!
I love how all your recipes are for one! I like the combination of ingredients you chose for the Sesame Chicken – looking forward to making it. Thanks for sharing!
Oh my goodness this looks amazing!! And I have to say that mini slow cooker is so cute!! I’ll probably just double the recipe so my husband and I can try it. I love how the ingredients are all things I normally have!
Thank you, Kathleen. You can definitely double the ingredients in this recipe. I’ve done it successfully – Enjoy!
This looks really good. I wonder how it would taste with shrimp?
I’m not sure, Lynn. The sauce is amazing so I assume it would taste great with shrimp. If you try it, let me know.