I’m always on the hunt for good, flavorful and healthy slow cooker recipes.  I really kind of love my slow cooker.  Dinner time is sometimes hard to predict, especially after adding a little person to the household.  Perhaps there’s been a night (or SEVERAL) when I just couldn’t get around to dinner because of other demands.   Thus, the slow cooker saves us most of those nights (and some of those nights we get saved otherwise).    I’m SURE none of you have ever had this happen, but just in case you’re in my same boat and can relate, I will share my newest slow cooker find.

This is definitely a great addition to the slow cooker recipe family.  I love the rich, Chinese flavors.  I’m a huge fan of Asian cooking and flavors and this recipe didn’t let me down.  In fact, I’ve been enjoying it for a few days thanks to all the leftovers (which also saves us on some of those chaotic nights).

Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken
Adapted from Greatest.com and Emily Loves Food

24 oz. skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 4 large)
1/2 an onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup water

To serve (Optional):
2 cups broccoli florets, chopped into bite sized pieces and briefly steamed
brown rice  (My favorite method to prepare is to bake it!)
toasted sesame seeds

Place the chicken breasts in the bowl of a slow cooker.

Combine the onion, garlic, honey, soy sauce, tomato paste and oil in a bowl, and pour over the chicken. Cook on low for at least four hours, preferably six.

20 minutes before you want to serve remove the chicken from the slow cooker. (If using, You’ll want to make sure your rice is nearly done at this point and broccoli is ready to be steamed.)

Combine the cornstartch and water in a cup or small bowl to create a slurry, and add it to the remaining sauce in the slow cooker, turning the temperature up to high to allow the sauce to thicken. While it thickens up, shred the chicken with a fork.

Add the shredded chicken back to the thickening sauce, turning the mixture occasionally.

When ready to serve, lay the broccoli over the rice, and top with 3 ounces of the chicken/sauce mixture, then sprinkle with sesame seeds. Couldn’t be easier.

Serves 8.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving = 3 ounces of Sesame Chicken)
Calories:  170
Protein:  18.7g
Carbs:  20.9g
Fat:  1.9g (0.2g = Sat.)
Fiber:  0.4g
Sugars:  18.4g

Nutritional Information
(Per Serving = 3 ounces of Sesame Chicken + 1/2 cup brown rice)
Calories:  278
Protein:  20.9g
Carbs:  43.4g
Fat:  2.9g (0.4g = Sat.)
Fiber:  2.2g
Sugars:  18.4g