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 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

Imagine coming home to the warm, inviting aroma of a perfectly seasoned chicken dish that practically cooks itself. That’s exactly what you get with this Slow Cooker Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe—comfort food with minimal effort but maximum flavor. It's mild heat, tender chicken, and those fresh bursts of vegetables make it such a winner at my house.

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

I can’t say enough about how this Slow Cooker Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe simplifies weeknight dinners without skimping on taste. It’s got that beautiful balance of savory, a little sweet, and just enough peppery kick to keep you coming back for seconds.

Hands-off cooking: Toss everything in the slow cooker and forget it while it does its magic.
Layered bold flavors: The mix of soy sauce, ginger, five-spice, and chili flakes really wakes up your taste buds.
Perfectly tender chicken: Slow cooking locks in juicy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness every time.
Customizable crunch: Adding peppers and spring onions at the end keeps a fresh pop and colors up the plate.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe is a simple harmony of flavors that come together in the slow cooker to create that irresistible salty, peppery sauce. Each ingredient plays a vital role, from the umami-packed soy sauce to the subtle warmth of Chinese five spice.

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: Lean, tender, and perfect for soaking up all the delicious sauce.
Ginger puree: Adds a fresh zing and a touch of brightness to the dish.
Tomato ketchup: Brings a subtle sweetness and helps balance the salty flavors.
Soy sauce: The salty backbone that gives this dish its savory depth.
Chinese five spice: The secret blend that adds warmth and an exotic aroma.
Chilli flakes: A gentle kick of heat without overpowering the dish.
Garlic granules: Garlic flavor that's easy to distribute evenly.
Brown sugar: Sweetens the sauce, enhancing the sticky glaze.
Black peppercorns, crushed: A bold peppery crunch that defines the dish.
Red peppers: Added at the end for color and a satisfying crunch.
Spring onions: Brighten each bite, adding freshness and texture.
Cornflour: To thicken the sauce perfectly, keeping it sticky and delicious.
Sea salt: To adjust seasoning based on your soy sauce’s 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 how adaptable this Slow Cooker Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe is. Sometimes I swap out the chicken breasts for thighs when I want something even juicier and a bit more forgiving. Plus, you can tweak the spice level depending on who you're feeding.

Variation: Using boneless skinless chicken thighs gives you a richer flavor and extra tenderness—a favorite swap of mine on busier days.
Spice it up: If you’re craving more heat, try adding a fresh sliced red chili or double the chili flakes when you start cooking.
Vegetable additions: Don’t hesitate to toss in mushrooms or snap peas for more texture if you like.
For low sodium: Use a low-sodium soy sauce and hold back on the sea salt so it stays heart-healthy.

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: Get all your ingredients prepped and ready

I like to cut my chicken into bite-size chunks for easy eating and to help the flavors soak in evenly. While I prep, I gather all the sauces and spices so that when I’m ready, I can just toss everything into the slow cooker without fuss. This minimizes mess and makes dinner feel like a breeze.

Step 2: Combine the chicken and seasonings

Pop the chicken, ginger puree, ketchup, soy sauce, five spice, chilli flakes, garlic granules, brown sugar, and crushed black peppercorns into the slow cooker. Give everything a good stir to blend those bold flavors before sealing it up and letting it cook low and slow.

Step 3: Slow cook for juicy perfection

Set your slow cooker on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 5 hours. The low setting is great for leisurely cooking when you have more time. By the end of this, the chicken should be unbelievably tender and infused with that amazing salty, peppery sauce.

Step 4: Thicken the sauce and add fresh veggies

Create a smooth slurry by mixing the cornflour with a little of the cooking liquid, then stir that back into the slow cooker. This thickens the sauce beautifully. Now stir in the diced red peppers and spring onions, season with sea salt to taste, and cook on HIGH for another 30 minutes. This last step keeps the veggies crisp and vibrant.

Top Tip

From my many times making this recipe, I’ve learned a few tricks that really elevate the final dish and simplify your prep.

Control the salt: Since soy sauce can be quite salty, add sea salt gradually towards the end to avoid over-seasoning.
Crush your peppercorns fresh: Crushing instead of pre-ground gives a wonderful texture and deeper pepper flavor—don’t skip this step!
Add veggies last: Putting in the red peppers and spring onions just before finishing keeps their crunch and freshness intact.
Mix the cornflour slurry well: Use cold cooking liquid when making the slurry to avoid lumps and ensure a silky sauce.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe

salt and pepper chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually garnish this dish with a handful of sliced red chillies for a bright pop of color and extra heat if you want it. A sprinkle of fresh spring onion tops it off with that inviting crunch and freshness.

Side Dishes

Rice is my go-to with this recipe—jasmine or basmati both work beautifully as they soak up the sticky sauce. For a bit of variety, try it with my homemade egg fried rice or steamed noodles. Prawn crackers on the side add a fun texture contrast and are always a hit.

Creative Ways to Present

For a casual dinner party, I love serving this Slow Cooker Salt and Pepper Chicken in a big shallow dish, surrounded by colorful sides, garnished with fresh herbs and slices of fresh chilli. It always looks festive and inviting, making it easy for guests to serve themselves.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and they keep well for up to 3 days. The flavors actually seem to deepen overnight, making for a tasty lunch or quick dinner.

Freezing

This recipe freezes wonderfully. Just transfer your cooled chicken and sauce into a freezer-safe container or bag, and it will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.

Reheating

The best way I’ve found to reheat this dish is gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to freshen up the sauce consistency. If it’s too thick, adding a splash of water or broth helps loosen it without watering down flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast for this Slow Cooker Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs work fantastic here, giving a richer flavor and often a moister texture. Just cut them into chunks as you would with breast meat, and follow the recipe as is.

How do I avoid my chicken becoming dry in the slow cooker?

The key is to avoid overcooking and to cook at the right temperature. Using chicken breast can dry out if left too long, so either cook on high for 3 hours or low for 5 hours exactly. Adding a bit of cooking liquid also helps.

Can I make this recipe spicier?

Definitely! You can double the chili flakes or add fresh sliced red chilies when adding the peppers and spring onions to up the heat level according to your taste.

What can I serve as an alternative side besides rice?

Noodles are an excellent choice—egg noodles or rice noodles work well and soak up the tasty sauce. You could also try this with steamed vegetables or even a simple green salad for a lighter option.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe holds a special place in my weekly rotation for good reason. It’s foolproof, wonderfully flavorful, and has become one of those recipes I can count on when I want to relax in the evening but still serve up something impressive. I really encourage you to give it a go—I think you’ll find yourself reaching for it again and again.