Craving takeout flavor at home? This Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken Recipe delivers tender and sticky-sweet chicken effortlessly. Gochujang heat meets brown sugar bliss.
Dump and go dinner! I’ve fed my family this weekly. Learn how to make Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken with simple steps. Your slow cooker becomes Korean restaurant tonight!
My Story With This Comforting Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken
Rainy Tuesday chaos. Kids hungry. No time for fancy cooking. Threw chicken in slow cooker with Korean sauce. Forgot about it. Came home to kitchen smelling like Seoul! Family devoured it over rice. Instant hit.
Now it’s weekly savior. That glossy, sticky bite? Pure magic. My Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken Recipe changed dinner forever.
Equipment List
- 6-quart slow cooker
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Small mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Tongs
- Two forks for shredding
- Rice cooker (optional)
- Serving bowls
Recipe Overview
- Recipe Name: Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken
- Servings: 6
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 mins
- Course: Main Dish
- Cuisine: Korean Fusion
- Calories: 320 kcal per serving

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken
- 2.5 pounds boneless chicken thighs
- 1 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/4 cup gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- Cooked white rice for serving
These Ingredients for Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken create authentic sticky glaze. Gochujang makes the magic!
Instructions for Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken
1. Prep the Chicken Base
Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Trim excess fat. Place in bottom of slow cooker. No need to season—just wait for sauce magic.
2. Mix the Korean BBQ Sauce
Whisk soy sauce, brown sugar, gochujang, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and chicken broth in bowl. Everything dissolves beautifully. Spicy-sweet perfection.
3. Slow Cook Magic Begins
Pour sauce over chicken. Spoon some over tops. Cover slow cooker. Set LOW 4 hours or HIGH 2.5 hours. Kitchen fills with amazing smells.
4. Shred the Tender Chicken
Chicken falls apart tender. Use two forks to shred right in cooker. Stir to coat every piece in that glossy sauce. Discard any stringy bits.
5. Thicken the Sticky Glaze
Mix cornstarch and water into smooth slurry. Pour into cooker. Stir well. Cover and cook HIGH 20-30 more minutes. Sauce transforms to perfect glaze.
6. Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle sesame seeds and green onions. Serve over hot steamed rice. Spoon extra sauce generously. Family dinner perfection achieved.
Cooking Tips and Simple Recipe Variations
- Chicken thighs stay juiciest—don’t swap breasts.
- Gochujang in Asian aisle or online. Worth finding!
- Less spicy? Use 2 tablespoons gochujang.
- Variation: Add sliced carrots and onions with chicken.
- Slow cooker liners make cleanup dream.
- Double sauce recipe for rice lovers.
- Air fryer finish: Broil shredded chicken 2 minutes for crispy bits.
These tips nail how to make Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken perfectly.
Little History Behind This Comfort Food
Korean BBQ (Dak Galbi style) traditionally grilled. Slow cooker version born from busy American home cooks. Gochujang paste from Korea’s Gochugaru chili tradition.
Fusion hit social media 2010s. Now slow cooker staple worldwide. My recipe blends authenticity with convenience.
What to Serve With This Dish
Steamed white rice essential. Kimchi on side cuts sweetness. Cucumber salad cools spice. Pickled radish too. Seaweed soup balances richness. Cold Hite beer perfect.
Occasion or Event Ideas
Weeknight dinners. Potluck stars. Game day Asian twist. Birthday dinners. Meal train deliveries. Rainy comfort food. Date night in. Kids’ first Korean food.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Fridge: Airtight container 4 days. Sauce soaks in more!
- Freezer: Quart bags 3 months. Thaw overnight.
- Reheat: Microwave covered or stovetop with splash water.
- Rice separate for best texture.
- Sauce thickens—add broth when reheating.
Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 320 kcal |
| Total Fat | 12g |
| Carbohydrates | 28g |
| Sugars | 20g |
| Protein | 32g |
| Sodium | 980mg |
| Iron | 15% DV |
| Vitamin A | 8% DV |
Is This Dish Good for You?
Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken Recipe balances indulgence and nutrition. Lean protein builds muscle. Ginger aids digestion. Garlic boosts immunity. Moderate sodium if low-sodium soy used.
Veggies optional but smart. Portion control key with sweet sauce. Better than takeout frying. Family-friendly fusion!

Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 2.5 pounds boneless chicken thighs
- 1 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cup gochujang Korean chili paste
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water
- 2 green onions sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- Cooked white rice for serving
Instructions
Prep the Chicken Base
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Trim excess fat. Place in bottom of slow cooker. No need to season—just wait for sauce magic.
Mix the Korean BBQ Sauce
- Whisk soy sauce, brown sugar, gochujang, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and chicken broth in bowl. Everything dissolves beautifully. Spicy-sweet perfection.
Slow Cook Magic Begins
- Pour sauce over chicken. Spoon some over tops. Cover slow cooker. Set LOW 4 hours or HIGH 2.5 hours. Kitchen fills with amazing smells.
Shred the Tender Chicken
- Chicken falls apart tender. Use two forks to shred right in cooker. Stir to coat every piece in that glossy sauce. Discard any stringy bits.
Thicken the Sticky Glaze
- Mix cornstarch and water into smooth slurry. Pour into cooker. Stir well. Cover and cook HIGH 20-30 more minutes. Sauce transforms to perfect glaze.
Garnish and Serve
- Sprinkle sesame seeds and green onions. Serve over hot steamed rice. Spoon extra sauce generously. Family dinner perfection achieved.
Notes
- Chicken thighs stay juiciest—don’t swap breasts.
- Gochujang in Asian aisle or online. Worth finding!
- Less spicy? Use 2 tablespoons gochujang.
- Variation: Add sliced carrots and onions with chicken.
- Slow cooker liners make cleanup dream.
- Double sauce recipe for rice lovers.
- Air fryer finish: Broil shredded chicken 2 minutes for crispy bits.
- Ina Garten Pizza Dough Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Lamb Shanks Recipe
- North Italia Strozzapreti Recipe
- Martha Stewart Pierogi Recipe
FAQs about Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken
Where find gochujang for Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken Recipe?
Asian markets, Walmart international aisle, Amazon. Red miso paste emergency substitute. Essential for authentic flavor.
How to make Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken less sweet?
Reduce brown sugar to 1/2 cup. Add 1 tablespoon fish sauce. More gochujang boosts savory heat. Perfect balance.
Can use chicken breasts for Ingredients for Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken?
Yes, but thighs juicier. Breasts dry out easier. Trim well. Same cooking time works fine.
How spicy is this Korean BBQ chicken?
Medium heat. Gochujang gives deep flavor more than burn. Adjust paste for kids. Milk ready for brave eaters.
Make ahead for parties?
Yes! Cook fully. Chill overnight. Reheat low slow cooker. Make double batch. Crowd favorite guaranteed.
Final Thoughts
Your Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken Recipe awaits! That first sticky, spicy-sweet bite transports you. I’ve won neighbors, kids, picky eaters with it. Set it morning, forget and feast at night. Rice bowl perfection.
Try this weekend—thank me later. What’s your slow cooker fave? Drop tweaks below. Chopsticks optional, napkins essential!

Hi! I’m Livy Lane, the creator of LivyCooks.com. I share easy, delicious recipes anyone can make at home. Let’s cook, taste and enjoy every bite together!















Leave a Review