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Crockpot Sticky Sesame Ginger Chicken. Homemade Asian inspired chicken tossed in a gingery, sweet, spicy, and sticky soy-pomegranate sauce. Cook everything together in the crockpot, even the Brussels sprouts for the easiest set-it-and-forget-it dinner. Just add steamed rice and a sprinkle of sesame seeds on top. Simple, so flavorful, and great any night of the week!
I’m often asked what recipes I make over and over again. Honestly? Not many. I’m usually testing something new almost every day, so I rarely go back to an old recipe when there’s something fresh on the menu.
But there are nights when things don’t go as planned. Maybe I only baked all day, or a new recipe just didn’t work out. On those nights, I reach for tried-and-true family favorites: Dad’s crispy beef tacos, my sheet pan buffalo chicken, butter chicken, or anything Asian-inspired with a sweet-spicy sauce.
This sticky sesame ginger chicken is one of those go-tos. It’s a slow-cooker update of an older sheet pan recipe, made even easier because everything goes in the crockpot all at once. Hit start, walk away, and come back to the most delicious dinner waiting for you.
Serve it with steamed rice, toasted sesame seeds, and you’re done. My little sister Asher especially loves this one, and I hope your family will too!
These are the details
Ingredients
- chicken breasts or thighs
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- ginger
- flour or gluten-free flour
- tamari
- pomegranate juice – or try orange juice, but to me, pomegranate is best
- honey
- molasses
- creamy peanut butter – optional
- chili flakes
- pickled ginger
- Brussels sprouts – broccoli is great too
For Serving
- steamed jasmine rice
- pomegranate arils
- green onions
- toasted sesame seeds
Special Tools
For this recipe, you’ll need a crockpot. You can also use a baking dish instead.
Steps
Step 1: Prep the chicken
Arrange the chicken in the bowl of your crockpot. Sprinkle with the onion powder, garlic powder, ginger, black pepper, and flour, then toss gently to coat.
Step 2: Make the sauce
Add the tamari (or soy sauce), pomegranate juice (orange juice works too), honey, molasses, creamy peanut butter (if using), chili flakes, and pickled ginger directly to the crockpot. Stir everything together with the chicken until well coated.
Step 3: Add the Brussels sprouts
Arrange the halved Brussels sprouts on top of the chicken. They’ll cook beautifully in the sauce, turning tender, flavorful, and a little “hidden” — perfect if kids aren’t big veggie fans! Slow cook for 3–4 hours on low. Once done, remove the lid and switch to high for about 15–20 minutes to thicken the sauce.
Step 4: Serve and enjoy
Spoon the sticky chicken and sauce over bowls of warm jasmine rice. Finish with pomegranate arils, green onions, and toasted sesame seeds. So easy, so flavorful, and the perfect cozy dinner!
Looking for other quick weeknight dinners? Here are some favorites:
Chili Crisp Chicken Mango Cucumber Rice Bowl
30 Minute Caramelized Shallot Beef Ramen Noodles
Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper
Coconut Popcorn Chicken with Sweet Thai Chili Lime Sauce
30 Minute Sticky Thai Meatballs with Sesame Noodles
Better Than Takeout Sweet Thai Basil Chicken
Spicy Chipotle Honey Salmon Bowls
Lastly, if you make this Crockpot Sticky Sesame Ginger Chicken, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love hearing from you and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Crockpot Sticky Sesame Ginger Chicken
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 325 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- black pepper
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose or gluten-free flour
- 1/2 cup tamari/soy sauce
- 1/3 cup pomegranate juice (orange juice works well too)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter (optional)
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon pickled ginger
- 3/4 pound brussels sprouts, halved
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- rice, sesame seeds, and green onions, for serving
- 1 cup pomegranate arils (optional)
Instructions
Crockpot
- 1. In the bowl of your crockpot, add the chicken, garlic powder, onion powder, ginger, and pepper. Toss to coat. Add the flour and toss again.2. To the crockpot, add the tamari, pomegranate juice, honey, molasses, peanut butter, chili flakes, and pickled ginger. Stir it all together. Add the Brussels sprouts and sesame oil. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2 hours.3. Crank the heat on the slow cooker to high. Remove the lid, stir, and shred the chicken. Cook for 20 minutes to thicken the sauce.4. Serve the chicken, Brussels sprouts, and sauce over bowls of rice topped with pomegranate arils, green onions, and sesame seeds. Enjoy!
Oven
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425° F.2. In a rectangular baking dish, add the chicken, garlic powder, onion powder, ginger, and pepper. Toss to coat. Add the flour and toss again. 3. Add the tamari, pomegranate juice, honey, molasses, peanut butter, chili flakes, and pickled ginger. Stir it all together. Add the Brussels sprouts and sesame oil. Cook for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and coated in sauce.4. Serve the chicken, Brussels sprouts, and sauce over bowls of rice topped with pomegranate arils, green onions, and sesame seeds. Enjoy!
This post was originally published on September 29, 2025
Made this tonight in the Crock-Pot and the house smelled amazing! However, it tasted really salty, and I’m so confused as to why with ingredients like OJ, molasses, and honey – any ideas on how to save it?
Hi Emily,
Thanks for making this recipe! So sorry it is so salty. Did you use low sodium soy sauce? I would recommend that for next time!
Delicious! The sauce is so yummy – spicy and sweet. I couldn’t find pickled ginger at the store, so I made it. Very simple, and so tasty. I used broccoli and will try the brussel sprouts next time. Thanks Tiegan!
Hey Christine,
Awesome! Love to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it and your comment!
Have a great weekend!
I’ve been loving your recipes!! I have all the ingredients on hand except pomegranate or orange juice. Do you think cherry juice would be a substitute that isn’t terrible?
Thanks so much, Leigh!! I think that would be okay for you to use:) I hope you love this recipe!
Thank you!! I made this last night and it was delicious!!! No surprise there since all of your recipes have been hits for me.
Thanks so much, Leigh!
Maybe the oven route is the way to go. Please don’t cook this in a crockpot. It’s wet chicken and the Brussels are brown and wet. Not a winner. Also why only Brussels? Broccoli on the side would be better. We couldn’t stop laughing. I used a lot of organic chicken. More than doubled this. But we do love you Teagan. Keep rocking. First fail.
Hi Wendy,
Thanks for trying this dish and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear it did not turn out for you!!
I don’t waste food, and I threw all of this out. Normally a fan, but you really disappointed me here.
Hi Suzanne,
So very sorry to hear this. If there is something that I can help with, please let me know! I’m sorry it didn’t turn out for you!
Delicious recipe! Thank you. Have to agree with other patrons though that it was not sticky. Also, tasted no ginger. Followed the crockpot recipe exactly. Chicken was amazingly tender, juicy and delicious! I am not a big fan of brussels sprouts, but they work great here – add great flavor, texture and healthy components.
Thanks so much, Larry! I appreciate you trying this recipe, so glad it was enjoyed! Have a great fall weekend!
Thanks a lot for this amazing recipe! I tried it today, and it turned out great. Really appreciate the effort you put into your blog.
Hi there,
Happy Friday!! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, I am so glad to hear it was a hit!
Really good recipe. I agree with another commenter that it is not sticky. The sauce is thick for sure…but sticky requires an adjustment to the overall chemistry. Could be the sugar content of the honey that is used. I will work on it as it is a recipe worth doing again. We substituted crushed peanuts for the sesame seeds as it gives that peanut profile a little forward bump if you are a fan of them. Someone else mentioned roasted broccoli which would also be a good sub. Keep the recipes coming Tieghan!
Hi Rob,
Thanks for the thoughtful feedback after trying this recipe, I’m happy to hear it was a win. Have a wonderful day!
Hi Tieghan
Help! it doesn’t go sticky. it just cooks in the lovely juice – but it doesn’t go all gooey and sticky. what am I doing wrong?
Hi Poppy,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe! Are you following the crockpot instructions or the oven instructions? You can always add a cornstarch slurry to help thicken it up. I hope this helps!
Thank you for the abundance of amazing recipes! Any possibility of substituting fresh ginger in this recipe for the pickled? If worthwhile, how much would you suggest?
Hi Larry,
Sure, that would be just fine for you to use! I would use 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger. I hope you love this dish!
This turned out perfect! Very easy and super flavourful! I’ll be making this one again!!
Hi Heidi,
Yay! Thank you so much for trying this recipe. I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed. Have a great week!
Love this one, so easy and great flavors! I roasted broccoli separately and it was a delish topping along with the green onions, toasted sesame seeds & pom seeds! Thank you!
Hi Karyn,
Love to hear this! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe and your feedback! Have a great day!
Delicious!!! Everyone loved this and my house smells amazing from it cooking all day in the crockpot
Hey Sarah,
Happy Monday! I appreciate you trying this recipe and your feedback, love to hear it turned out well!
Made this today for dinner. My family INHALED IT! I especially love how the pomegranate gave the dish a sweet little pop. Definitely making again!
Hi Lynn,
Yay!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad it was enjoyed! Have the best fall weekend!
I used pomegranate molasses and apple juice and cooked this on the stovetop.
It thickened , but was not sticky at all and very spicy.
Hi Susan,
Sorry to hear this recipe was not enjoyed, thanks for trying it and sharing your feedback!