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If you are searching for a comforting, effortless, and downright delicious meal to brighten up your weeknight dinners, look no further than this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe. This dish combines tender, juicy chicken slow-cooked to perfection in a luscious, sticky honey garlic sauce that’s both sweet and savory, with just the right hint of heat and tang. It’s incredibly simple to throw together, yet feels so special and satisfying — perfect for those days when you want a homemade dinner without the fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe truly lies in its straightforward but perfectly balanced ingredients. Each one plays a vital role in building layers of flavor and texture that will leave your taste buds humming. From the rich, natural sweetness of honey to the zesty kick of fresh ginger, every component is essential to creating this crave-worthy meal.
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts: They become wonderfully tender and soak up all the sauce.
- 1/2 cup honey: Adds natural sweetness that caramelizes beautifully in slow cooking.
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce: Provides depth and savory umami without overpowering.
- 1/4 cup ketchup: Brings a subtle tang and thickens the sauce slightly.
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar: Balances the sweetness with a gentle acidity.
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil: Offers a toasty, nutty note that elevates the dish.
- 4 cloves garlic (minced): Infuses the sauce with bright, aromatic flavor.
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger: Adds a fresh, zingy warmth that complements garlic perfectly.
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional): Introduces a subtle spicy kick for those who like a little heat.
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce to a luscious glaze.
- 2 tablespoons water: Used to make the cornstarch slurry for thickening.
- Sliced green onions and sesame seeds (for garnish): Add a fresh crunch and visual appeal.
How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Sauce
Start by placing your chicken thighs or breasts directly into the slow cooker. In a separate bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and if you like, a pinch of red pepper flakes. This blend is the heart of the recipe — combining sweet, salty, tangy, and a little spice, which will soak perfectly into the chicken as it cooks.
Step 2: Slow Cook Until Tender
Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated. Lock the lid on and set the slow cooker to low for around 4 to 5 hours, or if you’re short on time, use high for 2 to 3 hours. Throughout this stage, the chicken slowly becomes fork-tender, absorbing all those vibrant flavors while the sauce thickens ever so slightly.
Step 3: Shred the Chicken and Thicken the Sauce
Once the chicken is perfectly cooked, remove it carefully from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Meanwhile, mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the sauce left in the slow cooker and add the shredded chicken back in. Cover and cook on high for another 15 to 20 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken into a sticky, mouthwatering glaze that clings beautifully to every shred of chicken.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Adding sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds right before serving gives this dish a fresh crunch and an extra visual pop. These garnishes not only elevate the presentation but also provide contrasting textures that make each bite more exciting.
Side Dishes
This chicken pairs wonderfully with simple steamed jasmine rice, chewy quinoa, or even egg noodles, which soak up all the delicious honey garlic sauce. For a veggie boost, serve with a side of steamed broccoli or roasted bell peppers — their subtle sweetness and crunch create a perfect balance with the tender chicken.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to mix things up, try turning this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe into tacos with soft tortillas and crunchy slaw or serve it over cauliflower rice for a low-carb twist. Alternatively, pile it on top of a fresh salad with crisp greens, cucumber, and shredded carrots for a light, refreshing meal that still packs all the flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This honey garlic chicken keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container. The flavors deepen overnight, making leftovers just as tasty—if not more so—than the first day.
Freezing
If you want to save some for future meals, this recipe freezes exceptionally well. Place cooled chicken and sauce in freezer-safe containers or bags, and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the chicken in a skillet over medium heat or microwave until heated through. If the sauce has thickened too much, stir in a splash of water or broth to loosen it up and keep that glossy finish.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs in the Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe?
Absolutely! While thighs tend to stay juicier and more tender during slow cooking, boneless, skinless chicken breasts work just fine and will still absorb all the wonderful flavors of the sauce.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It can be! Just be sure to use gluten-free soy sauce to keep the dish safe for those avoiding gluten. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Can I add vegetables to this recipe?
Yes! Adding vegetables like sliced bell peppers or broccoli in the last hour of cooking adds color, texture, and nutrition, making it a one-pot, complete meal.
How spicy is the recipe?
The red pepper flakes are optional and can be adjusted or omitted based on your preference. Without them, the dish is sweet and savory with just a gentle kick from the ginger and garlic.
What can I serve with this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe?
This chicken is very versatile. Serve it over rice, noodles, or quinoa, alongside steamed veggies, or even wrapped in lettuce for a lighter option. The sticky sauce pairs well with many sides!
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe, it’s bound to become one of your go-to meals for busy nights or cozy weekends. The combination of simple ingredients, minimal effort, and incredible flavor is hard to beat. So grab your slow cooker, toss in the ingredients, and get ready for a dinner that’s full of warmth, comfort, and that perfect honey garlic charm.
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Print
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high plus 15-20 minutes thickening time
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender shredded chicken cooked in a savory honey garlic sauce. This comforting Asian-inspired main course combines sweet honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, slow-cooked to perfection and thickened to a rich glaze. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep, it pairs wonderfully with rice, quinoa, or noodles.
Ingredients
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
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Thickener
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Garnish
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker, spreading them out evenly to form a single layer for even cooking.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, low-sodium soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated fresh ginger, and red pepper flakes if using, to create a balanced sweet and savory sauce with a hint of spice.
- Cook the Chicken: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated. 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.
- Shred the Chicken: Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and shred the meat using two forks, breaking it into bite-sized pieces for easy eating and coating with sauce.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water to form a smooth slurry. Stir this slurry into the sauce remaining in the slow cooker and then return the shredded chicken to the pot.
- Final Cook: Cover and cook on high for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and cling to the shredded chicken perfectly.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the honey garlic chicken hot over your choice of rice, quinoa, or noodles. Garnish generously with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and a pleasing presentation.
Notes
- For a veggie boost, add sliced bell peppers or broccoli during the last hour of cooking to incorporate extra nutrients and texture.
- This recipe works great for meal prep and can be frozen well in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce to make this dish suitable for gluten-free diets.
