Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken: The Ultimate Set-It-and-Forget-It Dinner

Get ready to fall in love with the easiest, most flavorful chicken dinner you’ll ever make. This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken recipe creates incredibly tender, juicy chicken thighs bathed in a sticky, sweet, and savory sauce that’s simply irresistible. It’s a true set-it-and-forget-it meal that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor, making it perfect for busy weeknights. If you’re looking for a dish that the whole family will request again and again, you’ve found it.

This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal right in your crockpot. The magic happens as the chicken slow cooks to perfection, absorbing all the deliciousness of the honey garlic sauce. It’s the kind of comforting meal that makes your whole house smell amazing. For another incredibly easy and comforting chicken dinner, try our Creamy Garlic Chicken.

Why This Will Be Your New Favorite Crockpot Recipe

• Effortless Preparation: With just 10 minutes of prep time, this recipe is a lifesaver on busy days. Just mix the sauce, pour it over the chicken, and let the slow cooker do all the work.
• Incredibly Flavorful: The balance of sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and pungent garlic creates a sauce that’s addictively delicious and coats the chicken perfectly.
• Melt-in-Your-Mouth Tender: Slow cooking breaks down the chicken thighs until they are exceptionally juicy and tender, practically falling apart with a fork.
• Versatile and Family-Friendly: The sweet and savory flavor profile is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. It’s one of our favorite kid-approved chicken recipes!

The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this slow cooker honey garlic chicken is its simplicity. You only need a handful of pantry staples to create this amazing dish.

For the Chicken:

• Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are the star. They stay incredibly moist and tender during the long cooking time. You can also use chicken breasts, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time.

For the Honey Garlic Sauce:

• Honey: This provides the signature sweetness and helps create that sticky glaze.
• Soy Sauce: Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness of the dish.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is essential for the best flavor. Don’t be shy with it!
• Rice Vinegar: Adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness of the honey.
• Sesame Oil: Toasted sesame oil brings a wonderful, nutty aroma and depth of flavor.
• Ginger: Freshly grated ginger provides a warm, zesty kick.
• Cornstarch: This is the secret to a thick, luscious sauce that clings beautifully to the chicken.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Perfection

Making this crockpot honey garlic chicken couldn’t be easier. Just follow these simple steps for a foolproof result every time.

1. Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and grated ginger until well combined.
2. Arrange the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker in a single layer.
3. Combine and Cook: Pour the honey garlic sauce mixture evenly over the chicken thighs. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
4. Thicken the Sauce: Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and set it aside. Pour the remaining liquid from the crockpot into a small saucepan. In a separate small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Bring the sauce in the saucepan to a simmer over medium heat, then whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Continue to simmer, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until the sauce has thickened.
5. Serve and Enjoy: Return the chicken to the slow cooker or place it on a serving platter. Pour the thickened sauce over the chicken, garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, and serve immediately.

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

• Don’t Overcrowd the Pot: Ensure the chicken is in a single layer for even cooking. If you need to double the recipe, use a larger slow cooker.
• For an Extra Sticky Sauce: After thickening the sauce on the stovetop, you can return it to the chicken and broil it in the oven for 2-3 minutes to get a delicious caramelized glaze.
• Chicken Breast Variation: If using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cook on low for 2.5-3.5 hours. Chicken breasts cook faster and can dry out if overcooked.

What to Serve With Your Chicken

This versatile dish pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Rice: Serve over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice to soak up every last drop of the delicious sauce.
• Vegetables: Steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or a side of sautéed bok choy are excellent choices.
• Noodles: This chicken is fantastic with rice noodles or even linguine.
• Bread: For a truly indulgent meal, serve it with a side of our famous Garlic Butter Breadsticks to mop up the sauce.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

This recipe is perfect for meal prep! Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a saucepan over low heat until warmed through. You can also freeze the cooked chicken for up to 3 months.

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Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs for this recipe?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work well, but they cook faster. To prevent them from drying out, cook on low for 2.5 to 3.5 hours, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

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How do I make the honey garlic sauce thicker?

The key to a thick, sticky sauce is a cornstarch slurry. After the chicken is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker, pour the remaining liquid into a saucepan, and bring it to a simmer. Whisk in a mixture of 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water, and continue to simmer for 1-2 minutes until it thickens into a beautiful glaze.

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Do I need to brown the chicken before putting it in the slow cooker?

You don’t have to! This recipe is designed for maximum ease, so you can place the raw chicken directly into the slow cooker. Searing is an optional step that can add a bit more depth of flavor, but it’s not necessary for a delicious result.

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What can I serve with slow cooker honey garlic chicken?

This dish is incredibly versatile! It pairs perfectly with fluffy white or brown rice, quinoa, or noodles to soak up the sauce. For vegetables, steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or a simple side salad are all excellent choices.

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How long does this chicken last in the fridge?

You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, making it a fantastic option for meal prepping lunches or for another easy dinner.

More Delicious Recipes to Try

We hope you love this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken as much as we do! It’s a simple, flavorful recipe that brings everyone to the table. If you enjoyed this dish, be sure to check out our other easy dinner ideas. Let us know how it turned out in the comments below and don’t forget to share your creations on Pinterest!

FL Recipes

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken: The Ultimate Set-It-and-Forget-It Dinner

This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal! Tender chicken thighs cooked in a sticky, sweet, and savory honey garlic sauce. A guaranteed family favorite for busy weeknights.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Asian

Calories: 385

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 2.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs about 6-8 thighs
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 6 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
• 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds for garnish
• 2 tbsp sliced green onions for garnish

Equipment

• 1 Slow Cooker (6-quart)
• 1 Small Saucepan

Method

 

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and grated ginger until well combined.
2. Place the chicken thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker in a single layer.
3. Pour the honey garlic sauce mixture evenly over the chicken thighs. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
4. Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and set it aside. Pour the remaining liquid from the crockpot into a small saucepan.
5. In a separate small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Bring the sauce in the saucepan to a simmer over medium heat, then whisk in the cornstarch slurry.
6. Continue to simmer, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until the sauce has thickened to a glaze.
7. Return the chicken to the slow cooker or a serving platter. Pour the thickened sauce over the chicken, garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 385kcalProtein: 35gFat: 15gFiber: 1g

Notes

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Chicken Breast Variation: If using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cook on low for 2.5-3.5 hours to prevent them from drying out.
Broiler Finish: For an extra sticky, caramelized glaze, place the sauced chicken on a baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

Keyword crockpot chicken,honey garlic chicken,slow cooker chicken

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