Name: Slow Cooker Korean Chicken Sliders Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 4 h 15 min
Total time: 4 h 30 min
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts and/or thighs; 1/4 cup gochujang; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 1 small red onion, grated; 4 cloves garlic, grated; 1″ piece of ginger, peeled and grated; 3 tablespoons mirin; 3 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1 teaspoon arrowroot powder or cornstarch; 1/4 cup water; Slider buns and/or Bibb lettuce; Kimchi; Avocado, thinly sliced; Lightly pickled bean sprouts (see below); Gochujang Aioli (see below); 1 bunch scallions, chopped; Sesame seeds; 1 cup bean sprouts; 3 tablespoons rice vinegar; 1/2 cup warm water; 1/2 scant tablespoon sugar; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/3 cup sour cream; 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 1 1/2 tablespoons gochujang; 1 clove garlic, grated with microzester; 1/4 teaspoon salt; Pinch of garlic powder

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts and/or thighs

1/4 cup gochujang

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 small red onion, grated

4 cloves garlic, grated

1″ piece of ginger, peeled and grated

3 tablespoons mirin

3 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon arrowroot powder or cornstarch

1/4 cup water

Slider buns and/or Bibb lettuce

Kimchi

Avocado, thinly sliced

Lightly pickled bean sprouts (see instructions below)

Gochujang Aioli (see instructions below)

1 bunch scallions, chopped

Sesame seeds

1 cup bean sprouts

3 tablespoons rice vinegar

1/2 cup warm water

1/2 scant tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/3 cup sour cream

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1 1/2 tablespoons gochujang

1 clove garlic, grated with microzester

1/4 teaspoon salt

Pinch of garlic powder

Pinch of onion powder

Instructions

Step 1: Spray the inside of your slow cooker bowl with nonstick cooking spray. Stir together gochujang, soy sauce, grated onion, grated garlic, grated ginger, mirin, brown sugar, sesame oil, and pepper in the slow cooker bowl until fully combined. Add the chicken and stir to evenly coat with the sauce.

Step 2: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for about 4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked. Remove the chicken to a large bowl and shred using two forks.

Step 3: Meanwhile, mix the arrowroot powder or cornstarch with water in a small bowl until smooth. Pour this mixture into the sauce remaining in the slow cooker and stir well to incorporate. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, stirring it into the thickened sauce. Cook for another 10-15 minutes.

Step 4: For the lightly pickled bean sprouts, combine rice vinegar, warm water, sugar, and Kosher salt in a small bowl until dissolved. Pour this mixture over the bean sprouts and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Step 5: For the gochujang aioli, mix sour cream, mayonnaise, gochujang, grated garlic, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl until fully combined. This can be made ahead and refrigerated.

Step 6: To assemble the sliders, place a portion of the Korean chicken on each slider bun or lettuce leaf. Top with kimchi, avocado slices, lightly pickled bean sprouts, a spoonful of gochujang aioli, chopped scallions, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For extra heat, add a bit more gochujang or a dash of chili flakes to the sauce.

Try swapping chicken thighs for all breasts if you prefer leaner meat, though thighs stay juicier.

If you don’t have mirin, substitute with a mix of rice vinegar and a little sugar.

Make the sliders gluten-free by using gluten-free soy sauce and buns or opting for lettuce wraps.

The pickled bean sprouts can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated to deepen flavor.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use thawed chicken for even cooking in the slow cooker. If using frozen, increase the cooking time and ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

What can I substitute for gochujang?

If you don’t have gochujang, you can use a mixture of miso paste and chili garlic sauce as a substitute, but the flavor will be slightly different. Alternatively, order gochujang online or find it in Asian grocery stores for the authentic taste.