This Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken & Broccoli Rice is a delicious, healthier and easier version of your favorite Asian restaurant sesame chicken take out!  Sweet, savory, saucy and loaded with flavor plus nutrients, this slow cooker chicken dish is guaranteed to become a family favorite!

Hi-ya, friends!

So, how is 2018 treating you thus far?!

Did you make any healthy resolutions?

…better question, are you still keeping those healthy “New Year, new you” resolutions?  I know, almost 2 weeks in, people start to drop like flies and ditch their diets.

Well, in case you are like me, someone who doesn’t do diets, and instead just wants to leads a healthy lifestyle, you are in luck!

I have a SLEW of healthier meals coming to this blog over the next few weeks and I am SUPER excited to share them.

I’m a huge believer that healthier food shouldn’t be bland, boring, or make you want to run to the nearest fast food drive through.  So, trust and believe the recipes headed your way are nothing short of delicious!

With that said, let’s do the dang thang, shall we?

Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken & Broccoli Rice

Tender, succulent, slow cooked chicken tossed and glistening in a sweet, savory and umami Asian sauce packed with notes of sesame, honey and ginger.

Piled high on a bed of tender-crisp broccoli rice and garnished with sweet red bell peppers, creamy avocado, spicy red pepper flakes and fresh scallions.

This chicken and broccoli rice is LOADED with healthy vibes – think fiber, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein – yet seriously delicious… like, lick the bottom of the bowl clean type of yum.

Basically, it’s goodness for the SOUL.

And, if you are looking to eat healthier, without sacrificing flavor, this meal is for YOU.

But wait, even if you AREN’T looking to eat healthier, this meal is STILL for you.  Boy doesn’t do “healthy food” and he went to town on this honey sesame chicken AND polished off the broccoli rice like nobody’s business.  <- Proof this meal is hands down delish!

How to make broccoli rice:

In case you are new to broccoli rice, it is basically the same exact thing as cauliflower rice… it’s just made with broccoli florets instead of cauliflower.  Obviously.

If you have a food processor, it is super easy to prepare.  You simply cut a head of broccoli into florets and pulse them in the food processor until it resembles “rice”.

If you don’t have a food processor, no worries!  You can use a box grater and grate the florets.  Just make sure you use the large holes on your box grater.

How to cook broccoli rice:

There are a few different ways to cook broccoli rice: in the microwave, in a skillet, or in the oven.

I’ve included instructions on all three in the recipe below for Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken & Broccoli Rice.

In the recipe video I microwaved it for ease and convenience, but I actually prefer the skillet or oven method as it lends the most flavor.

How to make Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken & Broccoli Rice (Notes, Tips & Tricks):

1. While I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the recipe below, you can substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat.
2. If you want to take the lazy prep route, you can skip cutting the chicken into 1’’ cubes and instead place whole chicken breasts (or thighs) in the slow cooker.  Just increase the cooking time by 30 minutes – 1 hour in step 2, before adding the cornstarch and water mixture (step 3), use two forks to shred the chicken (you can do this right in the slow cooker, or you can remove the chicken to a cutting board and add the chicken back to the slow cooker).  Then, add the cornstarch mixture and proceed with the recipe as instructed.
3. You can easily double the sauce in the recipe if you like your chicken super saucy.
4. All slow cookers vary.  If your slow cooker runs on the hot side, be sure to check your chicken earlier, as it may cook faster than the times suggested in the recipe.  The opposite goes for your slow cooker if it runs on the cool side, as your chicken may take longer to cook.  If you aren’t sure of your slow cookers abilities, be sure to use an instant read thermometer.  Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Sticky, sweet, savory and loaded with flavor plus good for you ingredients, this Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken & Broccoli Rice needs to grace your table!

Until next week, friends, cheers – to fake out, take out done healthier, yet just as delicious!

XOXO

Cheyanne

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How to make Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken & Broccoli Rice Recipe and Video 👇

5 from 7 votes

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Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken with Broccoli Rice

Prep Time

15 mins

Total Time

2 hrs 15 mins

 

This Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken & Broccoli Rice is a delicious, healthier and easier version of your favorite Asian restaurant sesame chicken take out!  Sweet, savory, saucy and loaded with flavor plus nutrients, this dish is guaranteed to become a family favorite!

Course: entree

Cuisine: Asian

Keyword: broccoli rice, chicken, Crock pot, honey, sesame, Slow Cooker

Servings: 4

Calories: 356 kcal

Author: Cheyanne Holzworth

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – cut into 1’’ cubes*
• 2 Cloves Garlic – minced
• 1 ½ tsp Grated Ginger Root gently packed
• ½ Cup Honey
• 1/3 Cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce
• 1 ½ TBS Sesame Oil
• 1 TBS Rice Wine Vinegar
• 1 TBS Light Brown Sugar
• 4 tsp Cornstarch
• Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper to taste
• 2 large Heads Broccoli – roughly chopped into large florets (about 28 ounces)

Optional for Serving: Sesame Seeds, Thinly Sliced Green Onion, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, Diced Red Bell Pepper, Sliced Avocado, Micro Greens

Instructions

1. Make the sauce: In a medium bowl whisk together the garlic, ginger, honey, soy sauce, oil, vinegar, and brown sugar.
2. Cook the chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and place them in the slow cooker. Pour the honey mixture over the top of the chicken. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 3-3 ½ hours or HIGH for 1 ½ - 2 hours*, stirring halfway through. (Chicken will continue cooking in next step)
3. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with 1 ½ tablespoons of water to combine. Carefully add the cornstarch mixture to the slow cooker and stir well to combine.
4. Cover and cook on HIGH for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the sauce is thickened.
5. Meanwhile, make the broccoli rice: Place the broccoli in the food processor and pulse until it resembles the texture of rice.*
6. Cook the broccoli rice: You can cook broccoli rice a few different ways*, but for this recipe I prefer to pan-fry it. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add in the broccoli rice and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5-10 minutes, or until the “rice” is golden brown and slightly crispy.
7. To serve: Divide the broccoli rice between bowls and top with honey sesame chicken and ladle with sauce from the slow cooker. Sprinkle generously with sesame seeds and serve with desired additional toppings. Enjoy!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Serves:  4-6.  Nutrition information based on 4 servings.

1. While I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the recipe below, you can substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat.
2. If you want to take the lazy prep route, you can skip cutting the chicken into 1’’ cubes and instead place the entire chicken breast (or thigh) in the slow cooker. Just increase the cooking time by 30 minutes – 1 hour in step #2 before adding the cornstarch and water mixture (step 3), use two forks to shred the chicken (you can do this right in the slow cooker, or you can remove the chicken to a cutting board and add the chicken back to the slow cooker). Then, add the cornstarch mixture and proceed with the recipe as instructed.
3. You can easily double the sauce in the recipe if you like your chicken super saucy.
4. All slow cookers vary. If your slow cooker runs on the hot side, be sure to check your chicken earlier, as it may cook faster than the times suggested in the recipe. The opposite goes for your slow cooker if it runs on the cool side, as your chicken may take longer to cook. If you aren’t sure of your slow cookers abilities, be sure to use an instant read thermometer. Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

*Other ways to cook broccoli rice:

1. MICROWAVE – transfer the broccoli rice to a microwave-safe bowl and season generously with salt and pepper. Cover with a damp paper towel and microwave for 1-2 minutes. Stir, taste and microwave for an additional minute or so, if broccoli is not yet tender.

2. OVEN ROAST – Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Toss the broccoli rice with a tablespoon of olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Transfer the broccoli to a baking sheet and spread it out in a single layer. Bake for 15-20 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Broccoli rice is done it is slightly golden and tender.

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