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Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

4.9 from 608 reviews

This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish featuring tender chicken thighs cooked in a savory honey garlic sauce. Perfect for busy days, this recipe combines sweet honey, tangy soy sauce, and aromatic garlic and ginger for a mouthwatering meal that requires minimal effort. Serve with steamed rice or vegetables for a complete and comforting 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)

Thickening (optional)

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water

Garnish

  • Sesame seeds
  • Chopped green onions

Instructions

  1. Season the Chicken: Lightly season the chicken thighs or breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides to enhance the flavor.
  2. Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, grated ginger (if using), rice or apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes for a sweet and savory sauce with a hint of spice.
  3. Combine Chicken and Sauce in Slow Cooker: Place the seasoned chicken in the slow cooker. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated for even flavor distribution.
  4. Cook the Chicken: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
  5. Thicken the Sauce (Optional): For a thicker sauce, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and transfer the sauce to a saucepan. Mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry and stir into the sauce. Simmer over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Finish and Serve: Return the chicken to the slow cooker or pour the thickened sauce over the chicken. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for a delicious presentation before serving.

Notes

  • Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat compared to chicken breasts.
  • Low sodium soy sauce helps control the salt content without compromising flavor.
  • The ginger and red pepper flakes are optional but add depth and mild heat to the dish.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, do not skip the cornstarch slurry step.
  • Serve with steamed rice, noodles, or sautéed vegetables for a balanced meal.

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, honey garlic chicken, easy chicken recipe, slow cooker dinner, slow cooker honey garlic, Asian chicken recipe, healthy chicken recipe