This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a flavorful, tender, and juicy dish made with simple ingredients and packed with sweet and savory goodness. Featuring a sticky honey garlic sauce with a hint of soy and ginger, this easy set-it-and-forget-it meal is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping for the week ahead. Serve it over rice, noodles, or vegetables for a satisfying and wholesome dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made in the slow cooker with minimal prep time
- Sweet, savory, and perfectly balanced honey garlic sauce
- Juicy, tender chicken that falls apart effortlessly
- Perfect for meal prep and freezer-friendly
- Pairs well with rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
- Honey
- Soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- Fresh garlic cloves, minced
- Fresh ginger, grated (optional, for extra flavor)
- Rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- Cornstarch (for thickening the sauce)
- Water
- Olive oil or sesame oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional garnish: sesame seeds, chopped green onions
Directions
- Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, vinegar, and olive oil.
- Season the chicken: Lightly season the chicken thighs with salt and black pepper.
- Add to slow cooker: Place the chicken in the slow cooker and pour the sauce over it, making sure each piece is coated.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir it into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking to thicken the sauce.
- Shred and serve: Shred the chicken with two forks, then stir to coat evenly with the sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4-6
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 6-7 hours (on low) or 3-4 hours (on high)
- Total time: 6 hours 10 minutes (on low)
Variations
- Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha for some heat.
- Sticky Honey Garlic Wings: Swap chicken thighs for wings for a delicious game-day snack.
- Vegetable Boost: Add broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers during the last hour of cooking.
- Low-Carb Option: Serve with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of regular rice.
Storage/Reheating
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm on the stovetop over medium heat or microwave for 1-2 minutes until hot.
- Freeze: Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, but chicken thighs stay juicier during the long cooking time. If using breasts, cook on low to prevent drying out.
How do I prevent the chicken from becoming dry?
Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, and cook on low for the juiciest result.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, just make sure your slow cooker is large enough and adjust cooking time if needed.
Can I cook this on the stovetop instead?
Yes, simmer everything in a covered pan over low heat for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
What can I serve with honey garlic chicken?
Steamed rice, noodles, stir-fried vegetables, or a fresh green salad pair beautifully.
Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari instead of regular soy sauce.
How thick should the sauce be?
The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon after adding the cornstarch slurry.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
Yes, store the cooked chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Can I add pineapple for extra sweetness?
Yes, add pineapple chunks during the last hour of cooking for a tropical twist.
How spicy is this dish?
As written, this recipe is mild, but you can easily add heat with red pepper flakes or chili paste.
Conclusion
This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and tender flavors with minimal prep time. Ideal for meal prep or busy weeknights, it’s a versatile and crowd-pleasing dish that pairs perfectly with rice, noodles, or vegetables. Let your slow cooker do the work, and enjoy a flavorful, easy-to-make meal that’s sure to become a family favorite!
PrintSlow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a sweet, savory, and tender dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Juicy chicken thighs (or breasts) are slow-cooked in a rich honey garlic sauce with hints of soy and ginger. Serve it over steamed rice, noodles, or with roasted vegetables for a comforting, easy meal that the whole family will love!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Ingredients
- 4–6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
- ½ cup (120 ml) honey
- â…“ cup (80 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup (60 ml) ketchup
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (optional)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
- Sesame seeds and chopped green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Prepare the sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes.
2. Add everything to the slow cooker:
- Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker.
- Pour the honey garlic sauce over the chicken, making sure each piece is coated.
3. Cook the chicken:
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through (internal temp should be 75°C/165°F).
4. Thicken the sauce:
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to form a slurry. Stir the slurry into the sauce.
- Set the slow cooker to high and cook for another 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
5. Serve:
- Return the chicken to the slow cooker and coat it with the thickened sauce.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
- Serve hot over steamed rice, quinoa, or noodles.
Notes
- Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for extra flavor (increase cooking time by 30 minutes).
- For extra veggies, add broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers in the last hour of cooking.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.