Juicy Tender Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Slow weeknight dinners come alive with this mouthwatering honey garlic chicken that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

The aromatic blend of sweet honey and robust garlic creates a sensational sauce that clings perfectly to each tender chicken piece.

Juicy chicken thighs bathe in a rich, glossy marinade that promises to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

Each bite promises a harmonious balance of sweet and savory notes that dance across your palate.

This no-fuss recipe transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary meal without hours of complicated preparation.

Simple ingredients and your trusty slow cooker guarantee a stress-free cooking experience that yields restaurant-quality results.

Prepare to be amazed by how effortlessly delicious home-cooked meals can be.

Quick Recipe Overview

What’s in Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps create a glossy, rich coating for the chicken.
• Soy Sauce: Brings deep umami flavor and helps tenderize the meat with its salty profile.
• Ketchup: Provides tangy complexity and helps bind the sauce together.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds bright, subtle acidity to balance the sweetness of the dish.

• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic intensifies the savory notes and provides aromatic depth.
• Thyme: Earthy herb that complements the chicken’s natural flavor.
• Basil: Brings a fresh, slightly peppery undertone to the sauce.

• Chicken: Choose boneless, skinless pieces for easy cooking and maximum sauce absorption.
• Cornstarch: Creates a silky, thickened sauce with a restaurant-quality texture.
• Water: Used to create a smooth slurry for sauce consistency.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish that adds a crisp, mild onion flavor and visual appeal.
• Sesame Seeds: Provides a nutty crunch and authentic Asian-inspired presentation.

Kitchen Tools to Nail Honey Garlic Chicken

• Slow Cooker: Essential for cooking the chicken evenly and keeping it tender.
• Mixing Bowl: Perfect for whisking together the honey garlic sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Small Bowl: Needed for creating the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce.
• Whisk: Great for blending sauce ingredients until they’re completely combined.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Critical for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Cutting Board: Useful for slicing green onions as a garnish.
• Sharp Knife: Required for chopping garlic and green onions.

Cooking Method for Honey Garlic Chicken

• Create Flavor Base

Blend a tangy mixture of sweet honey, rich soy sauce, zesty ketchup, aromatic garlic, and herbal hints of thyme and basil into a smooth, glossy sauce.

• Nestle Chicken in Slow Cooker

Gently place chicken pieces into the slow cooker and lovingly drench them with the vibrant sauce, ensuring every inch gets coated with deliciousness.

• Slow Simmer

Let the chicken bathe in low heat for 4-5 hours or high heat for 2-3 hours until it becomes incredibly tender and fully cooked through.

• Sauce

Whip up a quick cornstarch mixture to transform the cooking liquid into a luscious, clingy sauce by stirring it in and allowing it to thicken for 15-20 minutes.

• Plate and Garnish

Sprinkle fresh green onions and crunchy sesame seeds on top, then serve over fluffy rice or alongside steamed veggies for a mouth-watering meal that’ll make everyone’s taste buds dance.

Enhancing Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

• Let chicken marinate in the sauce for 30 minutes before slow cooking to intensify the honey garlic flavor and tenderize the meat.
• Easily substitute chicken thighs or chicken breasts depending on your preference, adjusting cooking time slightly for leaner cuts.
• Replace traditional soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the recipe completely gluten-free without compromising taste.
• This dish freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, making it perfect for batch cooking and quick weeknight dinners. Store in airtight containers with sauce for maximum flavor preservation.
• Add red pepper flakes or sriracha for those who enjoy a kick, creating a sweet and spicy version of the classic honey garlic chicken.

Serving Tips for Honey Garlic Chicken Lovers

• Flavor-Packed Rice Companion: Serve this honey garlic chicken over fluffy jasmine or basmati rice to soak up the delicious sauce, creating a complete and satisfying meal that combines tender chicken with aromatic grains.
• Veggie Side Spectacular: Pair the chicken with roasted broccoli, carrots, or asparagus to add a nutritious and colorful dimension to the dish, letting the vegetables absorb the rich, sweet-savory sauce.
• Garnish Glow-Up: Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds on top for a burst of color, added texture, and a final layer of flavor that takes the dish from good to gourmet.
• Make-Ahead: Prep this chicken in advance and store in the refrigerator, as the flavors will intensify overnight, making it a perfect meal-prep option for busy weeknights or quick lunches.

Keeping Honey Garlic Chicken Ready to Eat Again

• Divide the cooked chicken into individual meal-prep containers for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week, perfect for busy professionals and students.
• Allow the chicken to cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating to prevent moisture buildup and maintain optimal texture and flavor.
• Store the honey garlic chicken in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and taste quality.
• Package the chicken in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-lock bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen chicken remains delicious for up to 3 months, making it an excellent make-ahead meal option for quick weeknight dinners.

FAQs

• What makes this chicken recipe different from other slow cooker chicken dishes?

This recipe combines a sweet and tangy sauce with minimal prep time, creating a flavorful meal that requires almost no hands-on cooking effort.

• Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts, but add an extra 1-2 hours to the cooking time to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.

• Is this dish spicy?

No, this honey garlic chicken is more sweet and savory, with no significant heat. The combination of honey, garlic, and herbs creates a mild, balanced flavor profile that’s kid-friendly and appealing to most palates.

• How can I make this recipe healthier?

Opt for low-sodium soy sauce, use less honey, and serve with cauliflower rice or steamed vegetables instead of traditional white rice to reduce calories and increase nutritional value.

Tender Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Succulent Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken promises comfort with minimal effort. Juicy chicken thighs glazed in sweet-savory sauce offer home cooks a simple, delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken thighs or breasts, boneless, skinless
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) honey
• 0.33 cup (80 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
• 0.25 cup (60 ml) ketchup
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tbsp (15 g) cornstarch
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) water

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Instructions

1. Sauce Preparation: Whisk honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, rice vinegar, thyme, and basil in a bowl until smooth and well-combined.
2. Chicken Coating: Immerse chicken pieces in the prepared sauce within the slow cooker, ensuring complete coverage and thorough marination.
3. Slow Cooking: Cover and cook on low temperature for 4-5 hours or on high heat for 2-3 hours until chicken is completely tender and fully cooked.
4. Sauce Thickening: Blend cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then fold into the cooking liquid, stirring to integrate and enhance sauce consistency.
5. Final Reduction: Increase heat to high, allowing sauce to thicken and develop a glossy, rich texture for 15-20 minutes.
6. Plating: Arrange chicken on a serving platter, generously drizzling the condensed sauce over the top.
7. Garnishing: Optionally sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and visual appeal.
8. Serving: Complement the dish with steamed rice or seasonal vegetables for a complete, appetizing meal.

Notes

• Sauce Consistency Control: Whisk ingredients thoroughly to prevent sauce separation and ensure even flavor distribution.
• Chicken Placement Technique: Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer for uniform cooking and optimal sauce absorption.
• Slow Cooker Time Management: Check chicken internal temperature reaches 165°F to guarantee food safety and prevent undercooking.
• Thickening Sauce Precision: Add cornstarch slurry gradually and stir consistently to avoid lumps and achieve desired sauce texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg