There’s something so comforting about tender chicken simmered to perfection with a punchy seasoning that wakes up every bite. The Slow Cooker Salt & Pepper Chicken Recipe I’m sharing today is exactly that kind of dish — sticky, flavorful, and effortlessly hands-off, making it a total weeknight hero.

A black slow cooker filled with a stew made of light brown meat chunks mixed with bright red bell pepper pieces and greenish-yellow vegetables, all sitting in a thin brown sauce. The slow cooker is on a white marbled surface, next to a wooden pepper grinder and a small white bowl with salt. A white plate with cooked white rice is partially visible on the bottom left side of the image. The photo has a clear, natural light and soft shadows. 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

I can’t get enough of this slow cooker version of salt and pepper chicken because it combines bold flavors with effortless cooking — making it perfect for busy days where you want a tasty meal without the fuss.

Hands-Off Cooking: Just toss everything in and forget about it until dinner time.
Bold Flavors: The ginger, garlic, and five spice blend punch way above their weight.
Perfect Texture: Tender chicken with crunchy red peppers added at the end for contrast.
Versatile Serving Options: Goes great with rice, noodles, or even in a lettuce wrap for a lighter bite.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Slow Cooker Salt & Pepper Chicken Recipe plays its part to create a harmony of sweet, salty, spicy, and umami flavors. Choosing fresh and quality ingredients here turns a simple dish into something special.

Flat lay of fresh raw chicken breast chunks arranged neatly next to a small mound of bright red diced bell peppers, several whole spring onions with vibrant green stalks and white bulbs, a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth golden ginger puree, another white bowl holding thick deep red tomato ketchup, a third white bowl containing dark glossy soy sauce, a small white bowl with finely crushed black peppercorns, a tiny white bowl of fine light brown sugar, a small heap of Chinese five spice powder alongside a scattering of bright red chilli flakes, a small white bowl of pale beige garlic granules, a neat pile of pure white cornflour powder, a few whole uncracked brown eggs with clean shells, a small cluster of sliced fresh red chillies, and a pinch of coarse sea salt crystals arranged symmetrically, 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: Opt for skinless, boneless pieces to ensure even cooking and easy shredding if desired.
Ginger puree: Adds a fresh zing; fresh is best but bottled puree works when you’re pressed for time.
Tomato ketchup: Brings a subtle sweetness and depth to balance the salty soy sauce.
Soy sauce: Use a good quality dark soy for richer flavor; it’s the salty backbone of the dish.
Chinese five spice: Gives a warm, aromatic complexity that makes this truly comforting.
Chilli flakes: Adds gentle heat without overwhelming – adjust to taste.
Garlic granules: Convenient and potent; fresh garlic is great too but granules distribute evenly in a slow cooker.
Brown sugar: Lends a caramelized note that balances the salt and spice beautifully.
Black peppercorns: Crushed freshly, they deliver that classic salt & pepper character.
Red peppers: Added last for crunch, they brighten up each mouthful both in texture and color.
Spring onions: Their mild onion flavor freshens the dish when added right before serving.
Cornflour: Used to thicken the sauce, creating that glorious sticky coating on the chicken.
Sea salt: Added carefully to balance the dish depending on your soy sauce’s saltiness.

📝

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 making this recipe with a bit of a twist depending on my mood or the season, and I encourage you to do the same. Nothing beats a recipe you can personalize to suit your cravings or dietary needs.

Variation: Sometimes I swap black pepper for Sichuan peppercorns to get that unique numbing heat—it’s a game changer if you enjoy bold flavors.
Vegetarian version: I’ve experimented with firm tofu instead of chicken, and while it’s not identical, it soaks up the sauce wonderfully.
Spice level: Feel free to dial up or down the chilli flakes depending on your heat tolerance. Add fresh chillies for extra kick when serving.
Softer peppers: If you prefer your red peppers cooked through, add them at the start, but I personally love their crunch at the end for texture contrast.

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

A white round plate holds a serving of white rice on the upper left half, with a richly colored stew covering the remaining bottom right half. The stew has several light brown pieces of tender meat, scattered with bright red bell pepper chunks and some long, thick green onion pieces. Red chili pepper slices lie on top, adding a pop of vibrant red. The dish sits on a soft beige cloth, with a small bowl of coarse white salt and a stack of round brown crackers in the background. A silver fork rests beside the plate on the white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Toss All but Veggies and Cornflour Together

First off, place your chicken chunks, 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 so that all the spices and sauces marry nicely with the chicken—this is where the magic begins!

Step 2: Slow Cook on Low or High

Pop the lid on and cook this on HIGH for about 3 hours or on LOW for 5 hours if you're around longer and want that extra tenderness. I usually do LOW if it's a weekend and HIGH when I’m short on time. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting; just don’t peek too often, or you’ll lose heat.

Step 3: Thicken the Sauce

Once the chicken is cooked, mix the cornflour with a little bit of the cooking liquid until smooth to make a slurry. Pour this back into the slow cooker and stir well. This step is crucial because it transforms the sauce into that sticky, glossy coating that clings to every bite — trust me, it’s worth the extra minute.

Step 4: Add Peppers and Spring Onions

Now toss in those diced red peppers and spring onions, sprinkle some sea salt to taste, and cook on HIGH for another 30 minutes. This keeps the peppers just crunchy and the spring onions fresh, preserving texture and flavor that contrast beautifully with the tender chicken.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few nuggets when making this Slow Cooker Salt & Pepper Chicken Recipe that guarantee success and even better flavor every time.

Fresh pepper: Crushing your own black peppercorns really makes the flavor pop—it’s richer and more vibrant than pre-ground pepper.
Go low and slow: Cooking on LOW lets the flavors meld gently and keeps the chicken ultra-tender, which I prefer more often than not.
Add veggies last: To retain that satisfying crunch, always add your peppers and spring onions toward the end of cooking.
Salt slowly: Because soy sauce is salty, add sea salt at the end in small amounts; it’s easier to add more than fix an oversalted dish.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Salt & Pepper Chicken Recipe

salt & pepper chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to garnish mine with thinly sliced fresh red chillies for an extra pop of color and heat, plus a sprinkle of extra spring onions or even a dusting of extra crushed peppercorns if I’m feeling fancy. It just brings everything alive on the plate.

Side Dishes

Rice is my go-to companion for this dish — jasmine or basmati both work beautifully. If I’m feeling adventurous, I pair it with egg fried rice or even some simple steamed noodles. For an indulgent touch, prawn crackers and a drizzle of sweet chilli sauce take it up a notch.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties, I’ve served this chicken over a bed of crunchy Asian slaw or in lettuce cups for a fun appetizer vibe. It’s also great layered in a bowl with pickled veggies and fresh herbs for a vibrant, casual meal that looks as good as it tastes.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying this chicken fresh, any leftovers go straight into an airtight container and into the fridge. I’ve found it stays delicious for up to 3 days, and the flavors actually deepen overnight if you can wait!

Freezing

Freezing works surprisingly well with this recipe. I portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Just note that peppers might lose their crunch, so I sometimes reserve them for fresh addition upon reheating.

Reheating

I gently reheat leftovers in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. This helps maintain the sauce’s sticky texture and prevents the chicken from drying out. Microwaving works too but watch the timing to keep it juicy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs add extra juiciness and flavor. Just expect them to be a bit more tender and a little richer in taste compared to breast meat.

How spicy is this Slow Cooker Salt & Pepper Chicken Recipe?

The spice mostly comes from the chilli flakes and black pepper. You can easily adjust the heat by adding more or less chilli flakes, or leaving them out altogether if you want to keep it very mild.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can prep all ingredients the night before and store them in the fridge. For best flavor, add the fresh peppers and spring onions just before cooking or at the end of cooking.

What should I serve with this Slow Cooker Salt & Pepper Chicken?

Rice is a classic choice, but noodles, egg fried rice, or even lettuce wraps work wonderfully. Adding some pickled vegetables or prawn crackers can add fun texture contrasts to your meal.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Salt & Pepper Chicken Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen for days when I want comfort without complication. There’s a certain joy in walking into the house to the scent of warming spices and knowing a delicious meal is ready with minimal effort. Give it a try—you might just find it’s your new go-to weeknight winner too.