Name: Slow Cooker Salt & 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; Sea salt, to taste; 2 Red peppers, diced; 6 Spring onions, cut into long pieces; 1 tbsp Cornflour; Rice; Sliced red chillies

There’s something truly comforting about that perfect blend of savory and spicy in my Slow Cooker Salt & Pepper Chicken Recipe. It’s a fuss-free dish that fills your home with the most inviting aroma, delivering sticky, tender chicken with a kick of peppery goodness that’s simply irresistible.

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 & Pepper Chicken Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Slow Cooker Salt & Pepper Chicken Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Salt & Pepper Chicken Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe is one of my favorites because it’s effortless to set up in the slow cooker, but the flavors develop beautifully over several hours. Plus, the subtle heat with that black pepper crunch makes every bite addictive.

Hands-Off Cooking: Simply toss everything into the slow cooker, walk away, and come back to a delicious, ready-to-eat meal.
Flavor-Packed Sauce: The combination of soy sauce, ginger, and five spice creates a deeply satisfying sticky glaze that coats the chicken perfectly.
Flexible to Customize: You can adjust spice levels or swap ingredients to suit your pantry or preferences without losing the essence of the dish.
Perfect for Busy Days: It’s an ideal recipe when you want dinner waiting for you without any last-minute rush.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Slow Cooker Salt & Pepper Chicken Recipe lies in the balance of ingredients that work harmoniously — tender chicken soaking in a sauce that’s both savory and slightly sweet, with just enough punch from the pepper and chili flakes to wake up your taste buds.

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: Cuts into chunks easily, absorbs that luscious sauce, and stays juicy in the slow cooker.
Ginger puree: Adds warmth and a fresh zing that lifts the whole dish.
Tomato ketchup: Brings subtle sweetness and tang to balance the salt from the soy sauce.
Soy sauce: Essential for umami depth and saltiness, be mindful of its salt level when seasoning at the end.
Chinese five spice: A fragrant blend that gives the chicken those complex, slightly exotic notes.
Chilli flakes: Provides gentle heat, adjustable to your spice tolerance.
Garlic granules: A convenient way to incorporate garlic flavor that permeates the dish evenly.
Brown sugar: Helps caramelize the sauce, yielding that sticky coating on the chicken.
Black peppercorns: Crushed freshly for a punchy pepper flavor that’s the star in this recipe.
Red peppers: Adds color, crunch, and sweetness; I prefer adding these near the end to keep their texture.
Spring onions: Tossed in just before finishing for a fresh onion bite and lovely green contrast.
Cornflour: Thickens the sauce beautifully without weighing it down.
Sea salt: Used sparingly to adjust saltiness depending on the soy sauce strength and your palate.

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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

One of the things I enjoy most about this Slow Cooker Salt & Pepper Chicken Recipe is how easy it is to tailor to your liking. Whether you swap chicken breast for thigh meat or bump up the heat, it always turns out brilliantly.

Variation: I sometimes add Sichuan peppercorns instead of black pepper for a floral, numbing sensation — it takes the dish to another level if you’re feeling adventurous.
Spice Level: Feel free to increase or reduce the chilli flakes depending on your tolerance; I like just enough heat to make it exciting but not overwhelming.
Veggie Swap: You can toss in other crunchy veggies like snap peas or carrots late in cooking to mix things up.
Low Salt Option: Use low-sodium soy sauce and add salt gradually to keep control over the saltiness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Salt & 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: Gather and Prep Your Ingredients

Start by cutting your chicken into bite-sized chunks — this helps the sauce cling to each piece and ensures even cooking. I also dice the red peppers and slice the spring onions into long pieces. Once everything’s ready, it’s a breeze to assemble.

Step 2: Mix Your Base Flavors

In your slow cooker, combine the chicken, ginger puree, tomato ketchup, soy sauce, Chinese five spice, chilli flakes, garlic granules, brown sugar, and crushed black peppercorns. Give it a good stir so everything is nicely coated — this is where the flavor base starts to build, so don’t be shy getting your hands in (or use a spoon!).

Step 3: Slow Cook Low and Slow (or High and Quick)

Pop the lid on and let it cook on HIGH for about 3 hours or LOW for 5 hours. I usually set mine on LOW in the morning and come home to a beautifully tender chicken dinner waiting for me.

Step 4: Thicken the Sauce and Add Fresh Veggies

Mix the cornflour with some liquid from the slow cooker – just enough to make a smooth slurry – then stir that back in. This step is key to getting that sticky, glossy finish everyone loves. Add the diced red peppers and spring onions, season with sea salt to taste, and then cook on HIGH for 30 more minutes. The peppers will stay just crunchy and vibrant.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks to make this Slow Cooker Salt & Pepper Chicken Recipe shine every time. Trust me, they’ll save you some stress and make your dinner unforgettable.

Freshly Crushed Pepper: Always crush your peppercorns just before adding them; this keeps the flavor sharp and vibrant, unlike pre-ground pepper which can get dusty.
Don’t Skip the Slurry: Making the cornflour paste from slow cooker juices is what creates that luscious sticky sauce – it’s worth the extra step!
Add Veggies Last: To keep the red peppers crisp and spring onions fresh, add them during the final 30 minutes – it adds a nice texture contrast.
Salt Mindfully: Since soy sauce is salty, add sea salt gradually and taste as you go to avoid over-salting.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Salt & Pepper Chicken Recipe

Salt & Pepper Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping my chicken with thinly sliced red chillies for a pop of color and an extra hit of heat. A scattering of fresh spring onions right before serving adds freshness and crunch. Sometimes, a squeeze of lime elevates the whole dish beautifully.

Side Dishes

This chicken pairs wonderfully with simple steamed rice, which soaks up all that sticky sauce. Or try it alongside my homemade egg fried rice for a full-on feast. For a lighter option, steamed greens like bok choy or snap peas balance the richness perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For a casual dinner party, I serve the chicken over a bed of noodles in colorful bowls, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped coriander. It’s a crowd-pleaser and makes the dish look as good as it tastes!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, where the chicken keeps well for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so leftovers often taste even better!

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully. I portion it out into freezer-friendly containers and defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating. Just be sure to keep the peppers and spring onions separate if you want to avoid them getting mushy.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stove over low heat so the sauce doesn’t burn and the chicken warms through evenly. Adding a splash of water or extra soy sauce helps loosen the sauce if it thickened too much while chilled.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are more forgiving with slow cooking and often come out even juicier and more flavorful. Just adjust cooking times slightly if needed.

What can I substitute for Chinese five spice if I don’t have it?

If you don’t have Chinese five spice, you can mix a pinch of ground cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and fennel seeds to mimic the flavor, or simply omit it for a milder taste.

How do I make this recipe less spicy?

To tone down the heat, reduce or omit the chilli flakes and skip adding fresh chillies as a garnish. You can still enjoy all the savory and sticky flavors without the spice.

Can I prepare this recipe in advance and freeze it?

Yes! This slow cooker chicken freezes well. I recommend cooling it completely before freezing, and separating any crunchy veggies or garnishes to keep their texture when reheated.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Salt & Pepper Chicken Recipe is more than just a meal for me. It’s those days when I want effortless comfort food that tastes like I spent hours in the kitchen. Once you give it a try, I’m pretty sure it’ll hold a spot in your recipe rotation, delivering warm, flavorful goodness with minimal fuss — just like a good friend’s home-cooked meal should.