Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken (Sweet, Savory & Juicy)

Introduction

This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is the ultimate combination of sweet, savory, and sticky deliciousness. Tender chicken slowly cooks in a luscious honey garlic sauce, creating a flavorful meal with minimal effort. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep, this recipe pairs beautifully with rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables.🍯

The slow cooker allows the sauce to penetrate the chicken, keeping it moist and infused with flavor. A sprinkle of sesame seeds and chopped green onions adds a fresh, crunchy finish that makes this dish irresistible.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✅ Hands-off cooking — let the slow cooker do the work
✅ Juicy, tender chicken — fully infused with honey garlic flavor
✅ Sweet & savory sauce — perfect balance for family dinners
✅ Kid-friendly & crowd-pleasing
✅ Pairs well with rice, noodles, or veggies

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Sweet, savory, and juicy slow cooker honey garlic chicken 🍯🍗 — perfect for easy weeknight dinners with rice or veggies.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Asian-Inspired, Comfort Food

Calories: 280

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Dish

• 4-6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 0.5 cup honey
• 0.25 cup soy sauce low sodium recommended
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp cornstarch optional, for thickening
• 2 tbsp water for cornstarch slurry
• Sesame seeds for garnish
• 2 green onions chopped, for garnish

Equipment

• Slow cooker/crockpot
• Mixing bowl
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Knife and cutting board

Method

 

1. Whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and garlic.
2. Arrange chicken thighs in slow cooker and pour sauce over them.
3. Cook on low 4–5 hours or high 2–3 hours until chicken is tender.
4. Optional: mix cornstarch and water, add to slow cooker, cook 10–15 minutes to thicken sauce.
5. Serve with sauce, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

Notes

Store leftovers in fridge up to 3 days. Reheat gently in microwave or stovetop.

Ingredients

• 4–6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• ½ cup honey
• ¼ cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
• 2 tbsp water (for cornstarch slurry)
• Sesame seeds, for garnish
• 2 green onions, chopped, for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and garlic.

2. Place Chicken in Slow Cooker
Arrange chicken thighs in the slow cooker and pour the sauce over them.

3. Cook
Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until chicken is tender and cooked through.

4. Thicken Sauce (Optional)
If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Pour into slow cooker, stir, and cook on high for 10–15 minutes until sauce thickens.

5. Serve
Transfer chicken to a serving plate, spoon sauce over top, and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve with rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables.

Tips & Variations

• Vegetable add-in: Add broccoli or bell peppers during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Spicy twist: Add ½ tsp red pepper flakes for a mild heat.
• Make it lighter: Use skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs.
• Meal prep: Store chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers; reheat before serving.

Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.
• Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, stirring occasionally to maintain sauce consistency.

Nutrition (per serving, 1 chicken thigh with sauce)

• Calories: 280
• Protein: 27 g
• Carbs: 18 g
• Fat: 12 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 550 mg