Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken recipe combines tender, juicy chicken thighs or breasts with a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. It’s a simple, fuss-free meal cooked low and slow, perfect for busy days. The sauce includes a delightful blend of honey, soy sauce, garlic, and a hint of ginger, finished with optional red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. Serve garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for an extra burst of flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours on low or 2 to 3 hours on high
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes (low) or 2 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the 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
For 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 their flavor before cooking.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, grated ginger, vinegar, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Place the seasoned chicken in the slow cooker and pour the prepared sauce over it, making sure each piece is well coated.
- Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
- Optional Sauce Thickening: If a thicker sauce is preferred, carefully remove the chicken and transfer the sauce to a saucepan. Mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then stir it into the sauce and simmer over medium heat until thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Serve: Return the chicken to the slow cooker or pour the thickened sauce over the chicken. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts for thighs if preferred, but cooking time may vary slightly.
- Use low sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness of the dish.
- The ginger and red pepper flakes are optional but add an extra layer of flavor and slight heat.
- If you prefer a gluten-free option, ensure the soy sauce used is gluten-free.
- The sauce can be thickened directly in the slow cooker, but transferring to a saucepan heats it faster and prevents sticking.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stove or microwave.
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, honey garlic chicken, easy chicken recipe, crockpot chicken, weeknight dinner, chicken thighs recipe
