Cozy, hands-off weeknight dinner
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is the kind of recipe that feels special but cooks itself — sticky, sweet, and perfect over rice or noodles. If you love dump-and-go dinners, this simple slow-cooker meal will become a staple. For another easy slow-cooker idea, try slow cooker chicken tacos for Taco Tuesday or a flavor switch-up.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
- Hands-off cooking: set it and forget it while flavors build all day.
- Kid-approved sweet-savory glaze that pleases picky eaters.
- Meal-prep friendly: leftovers reheat beautifully for lunches.
- Quick pantry sauce: mostly pantry staples you likely have on hand.
- Versatile: serves over rice, noodles, or in wraps for different meals.
Ingredients Needed
Protein
- 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)
For Thickening (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Toppings
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
For a different pairing idea, these measurements work well with a slow cooker lemon herb chicken and rice if you want to swap flavors later.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
For tips on serving this with comforting sides, check how a savory slow cooker chicken and rice casserole pairs with saucy chicken for a hearty meal.
Serving Suggestions Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
- Serve over steamed white or brown rice to soak up the sticky sauce.
- Toss shredded chicken with lo mein or rice noodles and extra sauce for easy takeout-style noodles.
- Pile on toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions for contrast.
- Use leftovers in wraps or over a salad for quick lunches.
- Add a squeeze of lime or a splash of rice vinegar to brighten the sauce before serving.
Tips for Success Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
- Use thighs for more forgiving, juicy results; breasts work fine but can dry if overcooked.
- If your slow cooker runs hot, check at the earlier end of the time range to prevent overcooking.
- For deeper flavor, sear the chicken quickly in a hot skillet before slow-cooking (optional).
- If you want more glaze, reserve 1/4 cup of the sauce, thicken it on the stove, and pour over the finished chicken.
- Want a lemony twist? Try the lemon herb chicken and rice recipe for a brighter variation and swap some ingredients to suit your mood.
Variations
- Spicy honey garlic: increase red pepper flakes or add 1 tsp Sriracha to the sauce.
- Sticky orange-glazed: replace 1/3 cup honey with 1/4 cup orange marmalade plus 2 tbsp honey.
- Paleo swap: use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce and maple syrup instead of honey.
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: You can, but it adds several hours to the cooking time and can yield less even cooking. Thaw in the fridge for best results.
Q: How long will leftovers keep?
A: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently to avoid drying the chicken.
Q: Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
A: Yes — double the ingredients and use a large slow cooker; cooking time remains similar but check the internal temperature for doneness.
Q: How do I make the sauce less sweet?
A: Reduce the honey to 1/4 cup and add 1-2 teaspoons extra vinegar or a splash of soy sauce to balance sweetness.
Ingredients
Protein
- 4 pieces 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)
For Thickening (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Toppings
- 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.
