If you’re looking for an easy, family-friendly dinner that’s packed with flavor, this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is about to become your new go-to! It’s sweet, savory, and so tender it practically melts in your mouth. Plus, it’s made in the slow cooker, so it’s a total hands-off win. My kids LOVE this dish (they call it “sticky chicken”), and I love that it pairs perfectly with rice and steamed veggies for a balanced, no-fuss meal. Trust me, your house is going to smell AMAZING while this cooks!
What You’ll Need
For the chicken:
- 2 lbs (about 4-6) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
For the honey garlic sauce:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional, but adds great flavor!)
To thicken the sauce:
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
For garnish:
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Pro Tips
- Don’t skip browning the chicken: If you have an extra 5 minutes, searing the chicken thighs in a skillet before putting them in the slow cooker adds great depth of flavor.
- Double the sauce: The sauce is so good you’ll want extra for drizzling over rice or veggies—just double the ingredients for the sauce and thank me later!
- Kid tip: Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces after it’s cooked for easier serving to little ones.
- Use chicken breasts if you prefer: Thighs are juicier, but breasts work well too—just keep an eye on the cooking time so they don’t dry out.
- Broil for a sticky finish: For a restaurant-quality glaze, toss the cooked chicken under the broiler for 2-3 minutes after slow cooking.
Tools You’ll Need
- Slow cooker
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or fork
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board and knife
Substitutions & Variations
- Chicken: Swap thighs for breasts or even drumsticks.
- Soy sauce: Use coconut aminos for a gluten-free option.
- Sweetener: Replace honey with maple syrup for a slightly different flavor.
- Add heat: Toss in some red pepper flakes or Sriracha for a spicy kick.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Mix the sauce ingredients the night before and store them in the fridge. In the morning, just pour it over the chicken in the slow cooker and go!
Instructions
1. Season the chicken.
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
2. Make the sauce.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, ketchup, rice vinegar, and sesame oil until smooth.
3. Add to slow cooker.
Place the chicken in the slow cooker and pour the sauce over it. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours.
4. Thicken the sauce.
When the chicken is done, transfer it to a plate. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water, then stir it into the sauce in the slow cooker. Let it cook on HIGH for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
5. Serve and garnish.
Place the chicken back into the thickened sauce, stir gently to coat, and serve. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
Leftovers & Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat. Add a splash of water if the sauce thickens too much.
Conclusion
There you have it—an easy, flavorful dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends! This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a dish your whole family will devour. Give it a try and let me know how it turned out in the comments—I’d love to hear about any tweaks you made or sides you served it with. Enjoy!
