Description
This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken recipe combines tender chicken thighs or breasts with a deliciously sweet and savory honey garlic sauce cooked to perfection in a slow cooker. It’s an easy, hands-off meal that yields flavorful, tender chicken infused with garlic, ginger, and a hint of spice, ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger (optional)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
For Thickening (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Garnish
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Lightly season the chicken thighs or breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides to enhance the flavor.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, grated ginger (if using), vinegar, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Place the seasoned chicken in the slow cooker and pour the honey garlic sauce over the chicken, making sure each piece is well coated.
- Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4 to 5 hours or on high heat for 2 to 3 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
- Optional Sauce Thickening: If a thicker sauce is desired, carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and transfer the sauce to a saucepan. Mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then stir this into the sauce. Simmer over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Serve and Garnish: Return the chicken to the slow cooker and pour the thickened sauce over it or serve the sauce on top. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier meat, or breasts for a leaner option.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to taste or omit for no heat.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
- The sauce can be thickened with cornstarch or left as is for a thinner glaze.
- Serve this chicken over steamed rice or alongside vegetables for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently to retain moisture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Honey Garlic Chicken, Slow Cooker Chicken, Easy Dinner, Crockpot Chicken, Sweet and Savory Chicken
