9 Best Crockpot Chinese Recipes to Try at Home

Cooking has always been a joy for me. The warmth from stirring a dish and watching as the flavors meld is unforgettable. But, you can imagine my excitement when I discovered the magic of using a crockpot to craft rich and savory Chinese recipes!

The convenience of tossing ingredients into a pot, setting the time, and having a delightful dish ready upon return is nothing short of transformative. In an effort to share this revelation with fellow cooking enthusiasts, I’ve put together a list of the 9 Best Crockpot Chinese Recipes.

These dishes cater to a spectrum of tastes, from tangy and sweet to spice-infused sensations. Each one promises a unique culinary journey you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home.

1. Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken

Who doesn’t love the iconic General Tso’s Chicken? Its bold, savory, yet subtly sweet flavors steal the show every time. I remember the first time I tried making it in a crockpot; the anticipation was unbearable.

But my patience was rewarded with tender chicken and a sauce that hit all the right notes. This dish resonates with both comfort and indulgence, truly deserving a spot in any home cook’s repertoire.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/4 teaspoon dry ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (more or less to liking)
• Optional garnish: green onions, sesame seeds, additional red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Coat the chicken cubes in cornstarch, shaking off excess.
2. Heat oil in a skillet, then lightly brown chicken cubes. Transfer to crockpot.
3. Mix hoisin sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and red pepper in a bowl.
4. Pour mixture over the chicken in the crockpot.
5. Cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 6 hours.
6. Stir every hour if possible.
7. Serve hot, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.

2. Slow Cooker Lo Mein

Lo Mein was always my go-to takeout order. Once, driven by a sudden craving and no delivery in sight, I tried my hand at the crockpot version. To my delight, it surpassed any takeout experience.

Packed with vibrant veggies and tender chicken, this recipe is my homage to convenience and taste—a sure hit for an easy weekday dinner.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup seasoned rice vinegar
• ¼ cup hoisin sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce (less if not spicy)
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 head broccoli (florets roughly chopped)
• 1-2 carrots (julienned)
• 1-2 red bell peppers (sliced)
• 1 (4 oz) package sliced mushrooms
• ½ pound spaghetti (cooked separately)
• Sesame seeds, green onions, cilantro for garnish

Instructions

1. Combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, chili garlic sauce, garlic powder, ginger, and pepper.
2. Place chicken breasts in the crockpot, pour over the mixture, and toss until coated.
3. Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours.
4. Add the broccoli, carrots, red bell peppers, and mushrooms in the last hour of cooking.
5. Prepare spaghetti as directed.
6. Before serving, mix cooked spaghetti into the crockpot.
7. Garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, and cilantro.

3. Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken

Sesame Chicken always takes me back to family gatherings filled with laughter and stories. Making it in a crockpot only enhances those cherished flavors with tender, marinated chicken.

It’s a dish that’s easily adapted for dinner parties or simply enjoyed in the comfort of home, each bite reminding me of those heartwarming memories.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• Cooking spray
• Sauce: 1/4 cup sesame oil, 3/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 6 cloves garlic minced, 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated, 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• Garnish: ½ teaspoon sesame seeds, 2 tablespoons sliced green onions

Instructions

1. Lightly coat chicken in cornstarch and spray with cooking spray.
2. Brown chicken in a skillet over medium heat, then transfer to crockpot.
3. Stir sesame oil, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, additional sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and sesame seeds into a sauce.
4. Pour sauce over chicken ensuring each piece is covered.
5. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2.5-3 hours or LOW for 4-5 hours.
6. Serve garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

4. Slow Cooker Kung Pao Chicken

My first taste of Kung Pao Chicken left a lasting impression—spicy, nutty, and deeply flavorful. Making it in a crockpot preserves these elements wonderfully, bringing out a rich taste I can’t resist. It’s a dish that spices up any meal plan, creating an adventurous take on a beloved classic.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 2-3 dried red chili peppers (adjust as per spice level)
• 1/2 cup roasted peanuts or cashews
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water to thicken sauce

Instructions

1. Add chicken, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and chili peppers to crockpot.
2. Cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or until chicken is cooked through.
3. In the last 30 minutes, add bell pepper.
4. Stir in cornstarch mixture to thicken the sauce.
5. Add peanuts or cashews before serving and garnish with green onions.

5. Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

There’s nothing more comforting than beef and broccoli on a chilly evening. The rich aroma wafts through the house, making everyone eager to gather at the table.

Prepared in the crockpot, this dish offers melt-in-your-mouth beef with perfectly tender broccoli—it’s like bringing a bit of your favorite restaurant into your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs beef sirloin, sliced into strips
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 4 tablespoons water for thickening
• Cooked rice for serving

Instructions

1. Place beef strips in crockpot topped with soy sauce, hoisin sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.
2. Cook on LOW for 6 hours.
3. Add broccoli 30 minutes before end.
4. Stir in cornstarch to thicken sauce.
5. Serve over cooked rice.

6. Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken

I’ve always had a soft spot for Sweet and Sour Chicken—a beautiful dance of flavors between sugar and tang. Perfecting this in the crockpot was a dream come true, turning chicken into a succulent masterpiece. Whether for a weekend lunch or treating guests, this dish is sure to brighten any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
• 1 green bell pepper, cut into chunks
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• Pineapple chunks (optional)

Instructions

1. Place chicken in the crockpot.
2. Combine and pour over ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.
3. Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 5-6 hours.
4. Add bell peppers and pineapple in the last 30 minutes.
5. Stir well before serving.

7. Slow Cooker Wonton Soup

Wonton Soup in a crockpot felt like a revelation—a wholesome, soothing dish perfect for those quiet, cozy nights. This recipe allows you to savor the simplicity and purity of flavors we all adore in Chinese cuisine. Preparing it made me appreciate even more the delicate balance of taste and warmth.

Ingredients

• 20-24 frozen wontons
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 3 green onions, sliced

Instructions

1. Combine broth, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in the crockpot.
2. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours.
3. Add wontons and spinach in the last hour.
4. Serve in bowls, garnished with green onions.

8. Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

Discovering the joy of Orange Chicken in my crockpot was akin to finding a hidden gem in familiar terrain. The tangy citrus combined with the succulent chicken is sheer delight. This dish has seen many gatherings in my home, where the sweet fragrance captivates those walking through the door.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
• 1 cup orange marmalade
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• Zest from one orange
• Sliced green onions for garnish

Instructions

1. In the crockpot, place chicken topped with marmalade, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, garlic, ginger, and orange zest.
2. Cook on LOW for 4-5 hours.
3. Stir every couple of hours.
4. Serve hot garnished with green onions.

9. Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

One taste of Mongolian Beef cooked low and slow and I was hooked. It’s a dish that’s unassuming yet packed with flavor, embodying everything I love about Chinese cuisine. I find it impossible to resist spooning a generous amount over rice and savoring each savory bite.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
• 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 3 green onions, sliced
• Cooked white rice for serving

Instructions

1. Add steak strips to crockpot along with soy sauce, hoisin sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.
2. Cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or until beef is tender.
3. Stir through green onions before serving.
4. Serve over a bed of cooked white rice.

Final Thoughts

These crockpot creations are not just meals—they’re stories embedded in every bite. Using a crockpot has transformed how I think about and prepare Chinese cuisine. From Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken to Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef, each recipe offers simplicity and flavor that appeals to the senses.

I encourage you to try these recipes, experiment with flavors, and enjoy the process of cooking at home. With each dish, you’ll discover the endless possibilities your crockpot holds, turning any meal into a delectable feast.