Slow Cooker Gochujang Chicken and Tomatoes Recipe

Introduction

This Slow Cooker Gochujang Chicken and Tomatoes recipe brings together tender chicken thighs and burst cherry tomatoes in a flavorful, spicy sauce. Perfect for a hands-off dinner, the slow cooker does all the work while infusing the dish with rich Korean-inspired flavors.

Ingredients

• 1½ to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, patted dry
• Salt, to taste
• 1½ pounds cherry tomatoes
• 1 (3-inch) piece of ginger, halved lengthwise and smashed with a knife
• 1 to 3 tablespoons gochujang, depending on heat preference
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, plus more as needed
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon honey, plus more as needed

Instructions

1. Step 1: Lightly sprinkle the chicken thighs all over with salt and place them in a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker.
2. Step 2: Add the cherry tomatoes, smashed ginger, gochujang, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and honey to the slow cooker. Stir gently to coat the chicken and tomatoes evenly.
3. Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours, until the chicken is very tender and most of the tomatoes have burst.
4. Step 4: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning by adding more honey if the sauce is too tart, salty, or spicy. Add more soy sauce if it tastes too sweet or muted.

Tips & Variations

• Adjust the amount of gochujang to suit your preferred spice level, starting with less if you’re sensitive to heat.
• For extra texture, serve with steamed rice or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
• If you don’t have cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes or chopped plum tomatoes can be used instead.
• Remove the ginger before serving if you prefer a smoother sauce.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, chicken breasts can be used, but thighs remain juicier and more flavorful when slow cooked. If using breasts, check for doneness earlier to avoid drying out.

What if I don’t have gochujang?

You can substitute gochujang with a mix of miso paste and a bit of chili paste or sriracha. The flavor won’t be the same but will still provide a spicy, savory element.

Slow Cooker Gochujang Chicken and Tomatoes Recipe

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4.8 from 124 reviews

This Slow Cooker Gochujang Chicken and Tomatoes recipe combines tender chicken thighs with burst cherry tomatoes in a flavorful, spicy-sweet broth enriched with ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and honey. The dish is effortlessly prepared in the slow cooker, allowing the ingredients to meld into a rich, comforting meal that is perfect for a cozy dinner.

• Author: Nora
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 to 6 hours
• Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Korean

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 1½ to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, patted dry
• Salt, to taste

Sauce and Vegetables

• 1½ pounds cherry tomatoes
• 1 (3-inch) piece of ginger, halved lengthwise and smashed with a knife
• 1 to 3 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste), depending on heat preference
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, plus more as needed
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon honey, plus more as needed

Instructions

1. Prepare Ingredients: Lightly sprinkle the boneless, skinless chicken thighs all over with salt to season them evenly.
2. Combine in Slow Cooker: In a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker, place the salted chicken thighs. Add the cherry tomatoes, halved and smashed ginger, gochujang, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and honey. Stir gently but thoroughly to coat the chicken and ingredients with the sauce mixture.
3. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for 5 to 6 hours. The chicken should become very tender and most of the cherry tomatoes will burst, releasing their juices into the sauce.
4. Adjust Seasoning: After cooking, taste the broth and adjust the flavor by adding more honey if the sauce is too tart, salty, or spicy, or more soy sauce if it tastes too sweet or muted. Stir well to combine any additional seasoning.

Notes

• Adjust gochujang quantity to control the spice level to your preference.
• Use chicken thighs for maximum tenderness and flavor as opposed to chicken breasts.
• If preferred, serve the dish over steamed rice or with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
• The ginger adds a subtle aromatic note; do not skip or substitute with powdered ginger.
• To make the broth thicker, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to reduce excess liquid.

Keywords: gochujang chicken, slow cooker chicken, Korean chicken recipe, spicy chicken, cherry tomato chicken, slow cooker dinner