Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

If you have been searching for a comforting, flavorful, and effortless meal, this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe is an absolute game changer. It brings together the perfect harmony of sweet honey, savory garlic, and a hint of tangy soy sauce that seeps into juicy chicken cooked low and slow for hours. Whether you’re feeding a family or making a batch for meal prep, this dish delivers tender, mouthwatering chicken with a luscious sauce that clings beautifully to every bite. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will quickly become a staple in your dinner rotation.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe lies in its simple yet essential ingredients. Each one brings a unique contribution: from the honey’s natural sweetness to the garlic’s bold depth, and the sesame oil’s toasty aroma, these elements combine to create a dish that sings with flavor and balance.

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts: Thighs offer extra juiciness and flavor, while breasts keep it leaner.
• 1/2 cup honey: The star sweetener that caramelizes and beautifully complements the savory ingredients.
• 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce: Adds rich umami and saltiness with a controlled sodium level.
• 1/4 cup ketchup: Brings tangy sweetness and thickens the sauce slightly.
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar: Injects a subtle acidity that balances the sweetness.
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil: Offers a nutty, aromatic punch enhancing Asian-inspired tones.
• 4 cloves garlic, minced: Infuses the dish with pungent, savory warmth.
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional): Adds a gentle kick if you like a bit of heat.
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch: Used to thicken the sauce for that perfect glossy finish.
• 2 tablespoons water (for slurry): Helps mix with cornstarch to avoid lumps.
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions and sesame seeds (for garnish): These boost visual appeal and add fresh, crunchy texture.
• Cooked rice or steamed vegetables: Ideal bases to soak up the luscious sauce.

How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by placing your boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts in the slow cooker’s base. The even layer ensures each piece gets bathed in that heavenly honey garlic sauce during cooking, making every bite tender and delicious.

Step 2: Mix the Sauce

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and optional crushed red pepper flakes. This blend creates the sauce’s complex flavor profile—sweetness, acidity, and a touch of heat—all harmonizing perfectly.

Step 3: Combine and Cook

Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours. By the end of this time, the chicken will be irresistibly tender and steeped in flavor, ready to be shredded or served whole depending on your preference.

Step 4: Thicken the Sauce

Remove the chicken carefully and set it aside. Mix the cornstarch with water to create a smooth slurry, then stir this into the slow cooker sauce. Switch to high and let it cook uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes until thickened to a luscious glaze. Return the chicken to the pot, coating it thoroughly in the rich, thickened sauce.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Garnishes

Sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds generously over the top. These garnishes add a lovely burst of color and texture, lifting the dish from simple to striking with every forkful.

Side Dishes

This chicken pairs perfectly with fluffy steamed rice or vibrant steamed vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or snap peas. These sides soak up the honey garlic sauce and bring balance and freshness to the plate, making your meal wholesome and satisfying.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving the Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe over a bed of noodles or wrapped in warm tortillas for a fun twist on tacos. If you want to elevate it for guests, plate alongside a crisp Asian-inspired slaw to add crunch and brightness.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, transfer leftovers into airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavors actually develop more, making your next meal just as delightful as the first.

Freezing

This dish freezes beautifully. Portion it out in freezer-safe containers or bags and store for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for an easy, ready-to-go meal anytime you need comfort food in a hurry.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through, stirring occasionally to keep the sauce smooth and luscious. Add a splash of water if the sauce thickens too much upon standing.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs in the Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe?

Absolutely! While chicken thighs offer more juiciness and flavor, chicken breasts work just as well if you prefer leaner meat. Just be careful not to overcook to keep them moist.

Is it possible to add vegetables to this dish?

Yes! Adding broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas in the last hour of cooking is a fantastic way to make it a complete one-pot meal with vibrant color and texture.

How spicy is this recipe with the crushed red pepper flakes?

The crushed red pepper flakes provide a gentle warmth rather than intense heat, but you can adjust the amount or omit them entirely according to your taste preference.

Can I make this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe gluten-free?

Definitely. Substitute regular soy sauce with tamari or another gluten-free soy sauce alternative to keep the dish safe for gluten-sensitive eaters without compromising on flavor.

What can I use the leftovers for?

Leftover honey garlic chicken is perfect for meal prep, sandwiches, wraps, or even tossed into salads. Its versatile flavor makes it a great ingredient to reinvent throughout the week.

Final Thoughts

Give this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe a try—you won’t regret it! It’s one of those magical dishes that feels like a hug on a plate. With minimal effort and big, delightful flavors, it’s sure to become a beloved classic in your kitchen. Once you taste that tender, saucy chicken, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

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4.1 from 53 reviews

• Author: admin
• Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender chicken thighs or breasts cooked in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, it can be served over rice or steamed vegetables and makes excellent leftovers for meal prep.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

Sauce

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Thickener

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)

Garnish and Serving

• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
• Sesame seeds
• Cooked rice or steamed vegetables for serving

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Instructions

1. Place Chicken in Slow Cooker: Arrange the boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts evenly in the bottom of the slow cooker to prepare for cooking.
2. Prepare Sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, low-sodium soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and optional crushed red pepper flakes to create the flavorful sauce.
3. Combine and Cook: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
4. Shred or Leave Chicken Whole: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with forks or leave the pieces whole according to your preference.
5. Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Stir this mixture into the sauce remaining in the slow cooker, then cook on high for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the sauce thickens nicely.
6. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the shredded or whole chicken back to the slow cooker, stirring to coat evenly with the thickened honey garlic sauce.
7. Serve: Garnish the chicken with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot over cooked rice or with steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

Notes

• Chicken thighs provide more flavor and tenderness, but chicken breasts are a leaner alternative.
• Add vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers in the last hour of cooking for a convenient one-pot meal.
• Leftover honey garlic chicken can be refrigerated for meal prepping or frozen for longer storage.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Asian-Inspired