Chinese Plum Chicken (Slow Cooker Recipe)

Overhead, landscape shot of a white bowl filled with rice and topped with Slow Cooker Bourbon Plum Chicken, with a pale purple linen, lime wedges, small bowl of sesame seeds, wine glass and sliced scallions surrounding the bowl.

5 from 5 votes

Chinese Plum Chicken (Slow Cooker Recipe)

This Plum Chicken in the slow cooker is a flavorful mash up of Chinese Chicken in Plum Sauce and popular Bourbon Chicken. Featuring tender shredded chicken breasts coated in the most delicious sticky, sweet and sour sauce. BEYOND delicious, yet ridiculously easy to prepare, this chicken plum recipe is sure to be a weeknight dinner winner!

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time2 hrs 30 mins

Total Time2 hrs 45 mins

Course: entree

Cuisine: Asian, Chinese

Keyword: chicken plum, chicken plum recipe, plum chicken, plum sauce chicken, plum sauce for chicken

Servings:

Calories: 367kcal

Author: Cheyanne Holzworth

Equipment

1 Slow Cooker or Crock Pot

Ingredients

3 cloves Garlic – minced
¾ tsp fresh Ginger – minced
½ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
¼ tsp Chinese 5 Spice Powder
¼ Cup Brown Sugar - packed
½ Cup Plum Sauce (substitute option: 2 TBS Hoisin + 2 TBS Honey)
¼ Cup Bourbon (substitute option: Apple Juice)
2 TBS Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce
1 ½ pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – diced into 1-inch cubes
1 TBS Cornstarch
2 TBS Water
Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper - to taste
Optional Garnishes: Lime Wedges, Sliced Scallions, Sesame Seeds, Sliced Chilli
Optional Serving Suggestions: Rice or Asian Noodles, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Mushrooms, Carrots and/or Sweet Red Peppers

Instructions

Make the plum sauce: In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the garlic through the soy sauce.
Add to slow cooker: Season the chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper and place them in the slow cooker. Pour the plum sauce over top of the diced chicken.
Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 3 ½ - 4 ½ hours or HIGH for 1 ½ - 2 ½ hours, stirring halfway through. (The chicken will continue to cook in the next step)
Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl whisk together the cornstarch with the water. Carefully add the cornstarch mixture (slurry) to the slow cooker and stir well to combine.
Cook again: Cover and cook on HIGH for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the sauce is thickened to your liking.
Serve: Spoon plum chicken over rice, noodles or a bed of veggies. Top with optional garnishes and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Chicken: While the recipe calls for boneless, skinless chicken breasts, you can absolutely substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat!
- 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.
Plum Sauce: If you prefer super saucy chicken I recommend doubling the measurements for the plum sauce!
Slow Cooking: 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.

Nutritional information is an estimate based upon 4 servings. Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.

Nutrition