Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Why Make This Recipe

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a delicious and easy meal that your whole family will love. It’s sweet, savory, and packed with flavor. The slow cooker does all the work for you, making meal prep simple and hassle-free. Plus, it’s a great way to enjoy tender chicken that’s bursting with rich flavors.

How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 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)

For Thickening (optional):

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water

Garnish:

• Sesame seeds
• Chopped green onions

Directions:

1. Lightly season the chicken thighs or breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, ginger, vinegar, and red pepper flakes.
3. Place the chicken in the slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the chicken, ensuring it’s well coated.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
5. (Optional) For a thicker sauce, remove the chicken and transfer the sauce to a saucepan. Mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then stir it into the sauce. Simmer over medium heat until it thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
6. Return the chicken to the slow cooker or pour the thickened sauce over the chicken. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Serve Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken over a bed of steamed rice or with noodles. You can also add a side of stir-fried vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal. Drizzle some extra sauce on top for added flavor.

How to Store Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

To store leftovers, let the chicken cool completely. Place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze the chicken for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove until heated through.

Tips to Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

• Make sure to coat the chicken well with the sauce for the best flavor.
• Adjust the sweetness by using more or less honey according to your taste.
• Letting the chicken cook longer on low will enhance the tenderness, but make sure it doesn’t overcook.

Variation

You can add vegetables like bell peppers or carrots to the slow cooker for a one-pot meal. Just chop them and toss them in with the chicken and sauce.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken in the slow cooker, but increase the cooking time by an hour or so.

2. Is this recipe gluten-free?
To make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free soy sauce alternative.

3. Can I make this recipe in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the sauce and chicken the night before and store it in the fridge. In the morning, just put it in the slow cooker and cook as directed.

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

A delicious and easy meal of tender chicken cooked in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, perfect for family dinners.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Asian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 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)

For Thickening (optional)

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water

Garnish

• Sesame seeds
• Chopped green onions

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Lightly season the chicken thighs or breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides.
• In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, ginger, vinegar, and red pepper flakes.
• Place the chicken in the slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the chicken, ensuring it's well coated.

Cooking

• Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
• (Optional) For a thicker sauce, remove the chicken and transfer the sauce to a saucepan. Mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then stir it into the sauce. Simmer over medium heat until it thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
• Return the chicken to the slow cooker or pour the thickened sauce over the chicken. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

Notes

Serve over steamed rice or with noodles. Consider adding stir-fried vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal. Adjust sweetness with honey to taste. Ensure the chicken is well-coated for optimal flavor.

Keyword Easy Chicken Recipe, Family Meal, Honey Garlic Chicken, One-Pot Meal, Slow Cooker Chicken