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close-up of tender slow cooker honey garlic chicken with sticky sauce

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is tender, juicy, and coated in a rich sweet-and-savory honey garlic sauce. Made with simple pantry ingredients like honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, this easy slow cooker recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian-Inspired
Servings 6
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

Chicken

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Honey Garlic Sauce

  • ½ cup honey
  • ⅓ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water

Optional Garnish

  • sesame seeds
  • sliced green onions
  • red pepper flakes

Instructions  

1. Prepare the Chicken

  • Place chicken thighs in the slow cooker.
  • Season lightly with salt and pepper.

2. Make the Sauce

  • In a bowl, whisk together:
  • honey
  • soy sauce
  • ketchup
  • garlic
  • ginger
  • rice vinegar
  • sesame oil
  • Mix until well combined.

3. Add to Slow Cooker

  • Pour the sauce over the chicken.
  • Make sure the chicken is evenly coated.

4. Slow Cook

  • Cook on:
  • LOW for 6–7 hours
  • OR
  • HIGH for 3–4 hours
  • The chicken should be tender and easy to shred.

5. Shred the Chicken

  • Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred using two forks.
  • Return shredded chicken back into the sauce.

6. Thicken the Sauce

  • Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl.
  • Stir into the slow cooker.
  • Cook on HIGH for 10–15 minutes until the sauce thickens.

7. Serve

  • Serve hot over rice, noodles, or vegetables.
  • Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

Video

Notes

📝 Notes

  • Chicken Choice: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs stay extra tender in the slow cooker, but chicken breasts work well for a leaner option.
  • Honey Substitute: Maple syrup or brown sugar can replace honey if needed, though the flavor will be slightly different.
  • Extra Flavor Boost: Add a teaspoon of freshly grated ginger or a splash of rice vinegar to deepen the sweet and savory taste.
  • Thicker Sauce: If you prefer a thicker glaze, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water and stir it into the sauce during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
  • Vegetable Add-Ins: Toss in broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas during the final 30 minutes for a complete one-pot meal.
  • Serving Ideas: This honey garlic chicken pairs perfectly with steamed rice, quinoa, noodles, or cauliflower rice.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Freezing Tip: Freeze cooled chicken and sauce in freezer-safe bags for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

🍽️ Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 320 kcal |
Carbohydrates: 28 g |
Fiber: 1 g |
Sugars: 22 g |
Protein: 30 g |
Fat: 10 g |
Saturated Fat: 2 g |
Cholesterol: 95 mg |
Sodium: 720 mg |
Potassium: 420 mg |
Calcium: 28 mg |
Iron: 1.6 mg
Keyword slow cooker honey garlic chicken, honey garlic chicken crockpot, crockpot chicken recipe, easy slow cooker chicken