If you’re on the hunt for a meal that’s equal parts comforting, flavorful, and so effortless it almost cooks itself, Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is about to become your newest weeknight hero. Imagine juicy, tender chicken thighs marinated in a glossy, sweet-savory sauce that’s infused with tangy garlic and a subtle kick of heat, all coming together in your trusty slow cooker. This dish delivers the kind of bold, crave-worthy flavor that makes everyone ask for seconds, yet requires almost no hands-on time—a true culinary win!

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe comes together with just a handful of kitchen staples, but each one plays a crucial role in building Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken’s addictive sauce and succulent texture. Here’s what you need, and why you won’t want to skip a single one:

Chicken thighs: Boneless, skinless thighs stay tender and juicy after hours in the slow cooker—plus they shred beautifully!
Honey: Adds the signature sweetness and helps create that irresistibly sticky glaze.
Low-sodium soy sauce: Balances the honey with salty, umami depth without overpowering the dish.
Ketchup: Brings a gentle tang and rounds out the sauce’s body.
Hoisin sauce (optional): For extra richness and a hint of smokiness; a secret weapon for next-level flavor.
Rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar: Brightens up the sauce and cuts through the richness.
Minced garlic: No honey garlic chicken is complete without plenty of fresh, aromatic garlic!
Fresh ginger: Lends a subtle warmth and complexity that wakes up your palate.
Black pepper: Adds a mild peppery bite that keeps things interesting.
Red pepper flakes (optional): Turn up the heat to your liking—just a pinch transforms the sauce.
Cornstarch: Ensures the sauce thickens up into that perfect, glossy coating.
Water: Needed for the cornstarch slurry, so you don’t get lumps!
Sliced green onions and sesame seeds: The finishing touch—these add freshness and crunch to every bite.

How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Step 1: Arrange the Chicken

Start by placing the chicken thighs in an even layer at the bottom of your slow cooker. Give them a little room to nestle in, which lets the sauce seep in from all sides. This simple step is key for ultra-tender, pull-apart chicken every time.

Step 2: Make the Signature Sauce

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, hoisin sauce (if you’re using it), vinegar, garlic, ginger, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mixing these before pouring ensures that every bite of Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is loaded with well-blended flavors and absolutely no clumps of garlic or ginger hiding in the corners.

Step 3: Pour and Slow Cook

Pour the luscious sauce evenly over the chicken thighs in your slow cooker. Pop the lid on, set it to low for 6 to 7 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours, and let the magic happen. As the hours pass, the flavors meld, the chicken relaxes, and your kitchen slowly fills with the most inviting aroma.

Step 4: Shred the Chicken

When your time is up and the chicken is tender, grab two forks and shred it right in the slow cooker or transfer it to a plate if you prefer. Shredding allows every strand to get coated in that dreamy sauce—you won’t want to leave any behind!

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce

In a small bowl, stir the cornstarch and water together until completely smooth. Pour the slurry into the sauce in the slow cooker, then stir everything together. This simple move transforms your sauce into a glossy masterpiece that clings to every piece of chicken. Let it cook on high for another 15 to 20 minutes until thickened to your liking.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Slide the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker, coating every strand in the thickened sauce. Serve Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken hot over rice or noodles, and finish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a little color and crunch.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Garnishes

Want to take it from good to unforgettable? Don’t skip the garnish! Sliced green onions add a fresh, zippy bite that contrasts the sticky-sweet sauce, while sesame seeds bring a little nutty crunch to the party. For extra flair (and a pop of color), try a few sprigs of fresh cilantro or a dusting of chili flakes.

Side Dishes

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is dreamy atop a fluffy bowl of jasmine rice or twirled up with noodles, soaking up every last drop of sauce. If you’re looking to round out your plate, try it with steamed broccoli, quick-stirred snow peas, or roasted baby bok choy—those crisp veggies soak up the sauce beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

This chicken is the ultimate chameleon! Pile it onto slider buns with crunchy slaw for a party-friendly snack, stuff it into lettuce wraps for a lighter twist, or toss it into a grain bowl with edamame and pickled veggies for a fun weeknight dinner. There’s just no wrong way to show off your Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, just pop the cooled Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken into an airtight container. It’ll keep perfectly in the fridge for up to 4 days, making it a superstar for meal prep and quick grab-and-go lunches.

Freezing

Want to stock your freezer? Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken freezes beautifully! Let it cool completely, portion it into zip-top freezer bags (squeeze out excess air), and stash in the freezer for up to 3 months. Lay the bags flat for quick thawing and easy stacking.

Reheating

When hunger strikes, defrost overnight in the fridge or use your microwave’s defrost setting. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if needed to keep things saucy and luscious. The flavor just keeps getting better!

FAQs

Can I make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken with chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Absolutely! Chicken breasts work well in this recipe—just be mindful they can cook a little faster and may be slightly less juicy. Keep an eye on them and shred as soon as they’re easy to pull apart.

What can I use instead of hoisin sauce?

Omit it if you don’t have any, or substitute with a splash of oyster sauce or a little extra soy sauce mixed with a pinch of brown sugar for similar richness.

Is there a way to make this dish extra crispy?

Yes! After shredding, spread the chicken on a baking sheet and broil it in the oven for about 5 minutes. This gives you irresistible crispy edges, while keeping the centers tender and juicy.

How do I make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken gluten-free?

Simply use tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce, and double-check labels on your hoisin sauce and ketchup to be certain. Everything else is naturally gluten-free!

Can I prep Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken the night before?

Definitely! Assemble everything in the slow cooker insert, cover, and stash in the fridge overnight. In the morning, just pop the insert into your slow cooker and start cooking—easy peasy!

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready for a fuss-free dinner that ticks every single box—delicious, simple, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser—don’t wait another night to try Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken. Once you taste that sweet, garlicky sauce and see how easy it is, you’ll want it on repeat in your kitchen. Give it a go and let your slow cooker do the heavy lifting!

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 19 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken recipe is a delicious and easy dish that combines sweet and savory flavors. Tender shredded chicken cooked in a flavorful honey garlic sauce, perfect for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

For the Sauce:

½ cup honey
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
¼ cup ketchup
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce (optional)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

For Thickening:

2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water

For Garnish:

Sliced green onions and sesame seeds

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker.
Make the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, hoisin sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Pour over the chicken.
Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours until chicken is tender.
Shred the Chicken: Remove chicken, shred with forks. Create a slurry with cornstarch and water, add to sauce. Return chicken to pot and cook on high for 15–20 minutes.
Serve: Serve over rice or noodles, garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.