Crock Pot Garlic Sesame Brown Sugar Chicken

CROCK POT METHOD:

1. Season chicken with kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste. Set aside.
2. Whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, and water. Set aside.
3. Spread sesame oil in the bottom of a large slow cooker to coat the bottom.
4. Place onion and garlic in the slow cooker and season with additional salt and pepper.
5. Place chicken on top of onions and pour sauce over everything.
6. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, or until chicken is tender but not dry.
7. Slice chicken or shred with forks; return to the pot and stir into the sauce. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if necessary. Serve chicken and sauce over rice or cauliflower rice. Garnish with sliced green onion, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes, if desired.

INSTANT POT (PRESSURE COOKER) METHOD:

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
2. Whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, and water. Set aside.
3. Press the “sauté” button and add sesame oil to coat the bottom of the pot. When the oil is shimmering, add the onions and additional salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until soft (about 3-5 minutes).
4. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 more seconds.
5. Add the chicken to the pot and pour the soy sauce mixture over top. Turn off the sauté function and close the Instant Pot (locking the lid).
6. Press the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” button and set the cooking time to 10 minutes for chicken thighs or 7 minutes for chicken breasts (if your chicken pieces are bigger than 8 ounces each, you can cut them in half or increase the cooking time to 9 minutes).
7. When the chicken is finished cooking, release the steam and open the lid right away to prevent over-cooking.
8. Slice the chicken or shred with forks; return to the pot and stir into the sauce. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if necessary. Serve over rice or cauliflower rice. Garnish with sliced green onion, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes, if desired.