Crockpot Sesame Chicken for #SundaySupper

My tastes have really changed this year as I have started to embrace clean eating. That doesn’t mean I don’t still want crap food and/or indulge, but I have found that the junk I once loved just doesn’t taste as good as I remember.

Sadly, that also includes my beloved Chinese take-out. I’ve had Chinese take-out just twice this year. It’s just not as tasty as I recall, and I find myself tossing leftovers because it ends up just sitting in the fridge.

I have however, made this crock pot sesame chicken more than twice this year. This dish has loads of flavor, isn’t too sweet, and doesn’t leave me bloaty (tmi?) like the stuff on speed dial does.

Different people will have different ideas on what clean or unprocessed eating is. Some will say using natural sweetener with honey is clean, and some will disagree. I will sometimes use honey [like with the homemade honey mustard dip I shared last week], but sadly I have just recently discovered that Jason doesn’t like honey, or yogurt. I had no idea until this year. I think he’s legit insane, ya’ll. This just means I had to find some other way to sweeten this dish. I swear my dude likes to challenge me. I found a way though [enter maniacal laughter [muhahaha]]!

I made a similar recipe once [thanks to Steph!] that used dates to sweeten chicken in the pan. It was sooo good. I’ve since modified it a bit, after craving a thick, sweet sauce like the real deal Chinese. I turned the dates into a paste and threw it all into a crock – no need to cube the chicken, since part of the beauty of using your slow-cooker is that you can just dump all the ingredients in, right? Do you even how good Casa de Crews smelled when I came home from work?! You need to make this recipe to see for yourself.

I knew I could make a paste from dates but to be honest, had no idea how to do so. I found a great recipe, here, that will walk you through this simple process! If pasting dates ain’t your thang, use 1/4 cup of honey instead.

If you know me in real life, you probably think I sound crazy making my own paste out of dates to sweeten a dish, and arrowroot powder as a thickening agent [its process to create is less well, processed than that of cornstarch, and provides the same results], but I’m still me….just a slightly more aware Nichole. I promise.

Cook low and slow for 3-4 hours in your crock before throwing this chicken over steamed rice, cauliflower, broccoli, or just straight out of the bowl. Top with sesame seeds, and have at it! I bet you won’t even miss the take-out version!

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If you love throwing a great recipe in the slow-cooker before your day, and coming home to a dee-lish dinner, check out more of what others are sharing for today’s Sunday Supper!

Satiating Soups

• Crockpot Kielbasa Split Pea Soup from The Foodie Army Wife
• Amazing Slow Cooker French Onion Soup from Hot Momma’s Kitchen Chaos
• Crock Pot Turkey Meatball Soup from Flour On My Face
• Kale & Kielbasa Soup Slow Cooker Lime Garlic Chicken from The Messy Baker
• Slow Cooker Chicken, Spinach and White Bean Soup from Amee’s Savory Dish
• Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup from Noshing With The Nolands
• Spicy Ham and 10-Bean Soup from Food Lust People Love
• Crockpot Caramelized Pork Noodle Soup from Brunch with Joy
• Slow Cooker Acorn Squash and Apple Soup from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
• Three Bean, Butternut, and Quinoa Vegetarian Chili from Ruffles & Truffles
• Potato, Kielbasa and Spinach Soup With Gouda from Meal Planning Magic
• Slow Cooker Chunky Chicken Tortilla Soup #GlutenFree from Sue’ s Nutrition Buzz

Scrumptious Mains (Breakfast and Dinner)

• Slow Cooked Apple Pie Oatmeal from Life Tastes Good
• Pork and Cabbage Stew from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
• Slow Cooker Lime Garlic Chicken from Peaceful Cooking
• Slow-Cooked Country Pork and Veggies from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Buffalo Chicken Sliders from Eat, Drink and be Tracy
• Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef from Marlene Baird
• Madras Beef Curry with Vegetables from Curious Cuisiniere
• Crock Pot Pork Chops with Apples and Figs from Cooking On The Ranch
• Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Crockpot Sesame Chicken from Casa de Crews
• Pork Chops in Gravy with Potatoes from Cookin’ Mimi
• Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Pulled Chicken from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Slow Cooker Spicy Peach Pulled Pork from Family Foodie
• Slow Cooker Garlic Chicken with Artichokes from Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen

Satisfying Sides

• Scalloped Potatoes from Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions from The Dinner-Mom

Scintillating Sweets

• Slow Cooker Brownie Dessert from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Triple Chocolate Cake from MealDIva
• Slow Cooker Rice Pudding from Killer Bunnies, Inc
• Slow-Cooker Kheer (Indian Rice Pudding) from Magnolia Days
• Slow Cooker Lemon Poppy Seed Cake from NinjaBaking

Savory Baking

• Slow Cooker Sourdough from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Slowcooker Seedy Bread from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner

Sips and Spreads

• Spiced Caramel Cider from The Life and Loves of Grumpy’s Honeybunch

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat.
To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.

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