Why Make This Recipe
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a perfect meal for busy days. It’s simple to prepare and requires minimal effort. With a blend of sweet and savory flavors, this dish delights both adults and kids alike. The slow cooker allows the chicken to become tender and juicy, making it a hearty option for family dinners or meal prep for the week. Plus, the sauce can be adjusted easily to fit your taste!
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:
- 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.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Serve Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken over rice or noodles to soak up the delicious sauce. You can also pair it with steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a healthy balance. Enjoy it as a comforting meal during the week or impress your guests with this easy yet tasty dish!
How to Store Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Let the chicken cool completely before storing. Place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last for about 3-4 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it. Just ensure it’s in a freezer-safe container or bag. It will last up to 3 months in the freezer.
Tips to Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the sauce for a few hours before cooking.
- Feel free to adjust the sweetness or spiciness by adding more honey or red pepper flakes.
- If you want a quicker meal, you can cook on high heat in the slow cooker, but be careful not to overcook the chicken.
Variation
You can add vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or snow peas to the slow cooker for a one-pot meal. Simply chop them and add them in before pouring the sauce over the chicken.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken thighs or breasts. Just increase the cooking time by about 1 hour on low or 30 minutes on high.
What can I use instead of soy sauce?
You can use tamari for a gluten-free option or coconut aminos for a soy sauce alternative.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Just ensure your slow cooker is big enough, and you may need to increase the cooking time slightly.
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
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.