Name: Slow Cooker Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 h
Total time: 5 h 10 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 800 g (28 oz) Chicken breast, cut into chunks; 1 tbsp Ginger puree; 2 tbsp Tomato ketchup; 6 tbsp Soy sauce; 1 tsp Chinese five spice; 1/2 tsp Chilli flakes; 1/2 tsp Garlic granules; 1 tsp Brown sugar; 1 tsp Black peppercorns, crushed; 2 Red peppers, diced; 6 Spring onions, cut into long pieces; 1 tbsp Cornflour; Sea salt, to taste; Rice; Sliced red chillies

There’s something so satisfying about a dish that’s both comforting and packed with flavor, and that’s exactly what you get with this Slow Cooker Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe. It fuses bold, savory notes with a sticky coating that keeps you coming back for more — all while being incredibly hands-off.

A black slow cooker filled with a stew made of multiple chunks of light brown meat layered with red bell pepper pieces and green spring onion stalks, all in a light brown broth that fills the pot partially. The slow cooker sits on a white marbled surface with a wooden pepper grinder and a round bowl of salt visible in the top part of the image, and a white plate of cooked rice partly visible at the bottom left corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Slow Cooker Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Slow Cooker Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe is a total game-changer when you want dinner that feels special but doesn’t demand hours in the kitchen. I’ve made it countless times, and it always delivers juicy chicken with just the right amount of sticky, peppery kick.

Hands-off cooking: Just stir your ingredients into the slow cooker and let it work its magic, freeing you up to do other things.
Flavor-packed: The combination of ginger, soy, garlic, and black pepper creates a deliciously balanced, zesty punch.
Versatile serving options: Whether you like rice, noodles, or even a wrap, this recipe pairs beautifully with loads of sides.
Minimal prep required: You can have everything ready in about ten minutes, perfect for busy weekdays or relaxed weekends.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Slow Cooker Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe comes down to a few simple but powerful ingredients working in harmony. These components build a sticky, fragrant sauce that coats every bite of tender chicken perfectly.

Flat lay of fresh chunks of raw chicken breast, a small white bowl of smooth pale ginger puree, a small white bowl of bright red tomato ketchup, a small white bowl filled with dark glossy soy sauce, a small white bowl containing light brown fine brown sugar, a small white bowl with coarse black peppercorns, crushed black peppercorns scattered nearby, a neat pile of glossy red diced bell peppers, six long vibrant green spring onions arranged in a fan shape, a small white bowl with fine white cornflour powder, a small white bowl holding deep red sliced fresh chillies, and a small white bowl of coarse sea salt crystals, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breast: A lean choice that cooks up tender and soaks in all the flavors — just cut it into chunks for even cooking.
Ginger puree: Adds a fresh, warm zing without having to peel and grate.
Tomato ketchup: It brings subtle sweetness and depth, helping the sauce thicken and stick beautifully.
Soy sauce: The salty, savory backbone of the dish — opt for a good-quality one for richest taste.
Chinese five spice: Adds an aromatic complexity that makes this recipe stand out.
Chilli flakes: For a subtle heat that complements, not overpowers.
Garlic granules: Perfect for even distribution and a gentle garlic punch without the hassle of fresh cloves.
Brown sugar: Balances salty with sweetness, helping to create that classic sticky glaze.
Black peppercorns: Crushed fresh for an authentic, vibrant peppery kick.
Red peppers: Provide crunch and color; adding them late keeps that texture alive.
Spring onions: Brighten the dish with a mild onion flavor and fresh crunch.
Cornflour: Thickens the sauce at the end so it clings to your chicken and veggies all gorgeously.
Sea salt: Used carefully to enhance without overwhelming, since soy sauce already contributes saltiness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking the spice levels depending on my mood or who I’m cooking for. This Slow Cooker Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe is super forgiving, so don’t be shy about making it your own — the slow cooker handles the rest!

Variation: Once, I swapped regular black peppercorns for Sichuan peppercorns to give it a unique numbing spice that blew our minds—totally worth trying if you want a different twist.
Diet-friendly tip: To keep it low-carb, serve over cauliflower rice or tossed greens instead of traditional rice or noodles.
Seasonal swap: In cooler months, I like adding a few shiitake mushrooms toward the end for an earthy depth.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe

The dish is served on a white plate placed on a white marbled surface with a textured beige cloth underneath. The plate is half filled with white rice, showing fluffy and separate grains. The other half has chunks of light brown cooked meat covered in a brown sauce. Mixed in with the meat are bright red pieces of bell pepper, green pieces of scallion, and thin slices of red chili pepper on top. The sauce has a smooth texture and pools slightly around the rice. Nearby, parts of a fork and small bowls with salt and crackers can be seen. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep The Ingredients

I start by cutting the chicken into bite-sized chunks — it helps the flavors seep into every piece. Then, get your wet and dry ingredients ready: ginger puree, ketchup, soy sauce, Chinese five spice, chilli flakes, garlic granules, brown sugar, crushed black pepper, and a pinch of sea salt. Mixing these beforehand makes assembling in the slow cooker quick and smooth.

Step 2: Slow Cook It Low and Slow (or High and Fast!)

Dump all ingredients except for red peppers, spring onions, and cornflour into your slow cooker. Give everything a thorough stir so the chicken is well coated. I usually cook it on LOW for about 5 hours for the best tenderness, but if you're short on time, HIGH for 3 hours works too. The smell will start filling your house with that irresistible aroma fairly quickly!

Step 3: Thicken the Sauce

About 30 minutes before the end, mix your cornflour with some of the cooking liquid to make a smooth slurry. Pour it back into the slow cooker along with the diced red peppers and spring onions. This final step gives you that perfect sticky texture while keeping the peppers crisp and fresh.

Top Tip

After making the Slow Cooker Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe dozens of times, I’ve found a few tricks that really boost your results and make the cooking process smoother.

Prep all your ingredients first: It makes assembling quick and stress-free, especially on busy days.
Crush pepper freshly: Using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle gives a much brighter, fresher kick than pre-ground pepper.
Add peppers last: This keeps their texture bright and satisfying instead of mushy.
Taste before adding salt: Since soy sauce is salty, add sea salt slowly at the end to avoid over-salting.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe

Salt and Pepper Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always add a few sliced fresh red chilies on top—not only do they bring a burst of color, but they add a punch of heat that cuts through the sweetness. Fresh spring onion slices or a sprinkle of fresh coriander also elevate the dish nicely.

Side Dishes

Rice is my go-to, especially fluffy jasmine rice or fragrant basmati to soak up all that sauce. For a lighter option, steamed broccoli or bok choy is excellent. If I’m feeling indulgent, egg fried rice complements the dish perfectly, with all those extra flavors mingling wonderfully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun dinner party, I’ve served this Slow Cooker Salt and Pepper Chicken on individual lettuce cups, letting guests spoon the sticky chicken in themselves—it’s interactive and super tasty! You can also drizzle some extra chili sauce or a squeeze of lime for a fresh zing whenever you want.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After cooling, I store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 3 days, and the flavors actually meld and get even better overnight.

Freezing

I’ve frozen portions successfully when I wanted to save some for later. Just be sure to cool it completely before freezing in a sealed container or freezer bag, and it’ll last for about 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I warm it gently in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally to keep the sauce glossy and prevent drying out. You can also microwave it, but I prefer stovetop for maintaining texture and flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are juicier and will work wonderfully in this slow cooker recipe. They also hold up well to slow cooking without drying out.

How do I make this recipe less spicy?

If you prefer less heat, simply reduce or omit the chilli flakes and fresh chillies used as garnish. The dish will still be flavorful and rich without the heat.

Can I prepare this recipe in an Instant Pot?

You can adapt it for an Instant Pot using the slow cook function, or switch to pressure cooking mode for a faster result; just reduce the cooking time accordingly to avoid overcooking.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Definitely! It reheats wonderfully and stores well in the fridge or freezer, making it an excellent choice for prepping meals ahead of busy weeks.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe feels like a warm hug on a plate — the sticky sauce, the pepper’s zing, the tender chicken — it all just works. I genuinely love recommending it because it’s an easy way to make a flavorful dinner that impresses without stress. Give it a go, and I bet it’ll become a favorite in your house, just like it did in mine.