Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a sweet, savory, and comforting dish that’s perfect for busy days when you want maximum flavor with minimal effort. Tender pieces of chicken are slowly cooked in a rich sauce made from honey, garlic, soy sauce, and a hint of warmth from spices, creating a beautifully balanced meal that appeals to all ages. The slow cooker does all the hard work, gently infusing the chicken with deep flavor while keeping it juicy and fall-apart tender.
This recipe is a lifesaver for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or casual family gatherings. It pairs effortlessly with rice, noodles, or vegetables, making it incredibly versatile. Whether you’re new to slow cooking or a seasoned home cook, this honey garlic chicken is an easy, reliable recipe that delivers consistent, crowd-pleasing results every single time.
Why I Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it combines simplicity with incredible flavor. The sweet honey and savory garlic create a sauce that’s rich without being heavy, and the slow cooker ensures the chicken stays tender and moist. It’s also incredibly flexible—you can serve it in bowls, wraps, or over grains, making it perfect for multiple meals.
Why This Is a Must-Try Dish
This dish is a must-try because it’s easy, family-friendly, and packed with flavor. It uses simple pantry ingredients, requires very little prep time, and delivers restaurant-quality results. Plus, it’s great for leftovers and reheats beautifully, making it ideal for meal planning.
Recipe Overview
- Course: Main Dish
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired / American
- Preparation Time: 10–15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 4–5 hours on low (or 2–3 hours on high)
- Total Time: 4–5 hours 15 minutes
- Servings: 4–6
- Calories: Approximately 380 calories per serving
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- ½ cup honey
- ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- Optional garnish: sliced green onions, sesame seeds
Cooking Directions
Prepare Sauce
Whisk honey, soy sauce, garlic, ketchup, vinegar, sesame oil, and seasonings together.
Slow Cook Chicken
Place chicken in the slow cooker and pour sauce over it. Cook until tender.
Thicken Sauce
Add cornstarch slurry and cook until sauce thickens.
Serve
Garnish and serve hot with your favorite sides.
Step-by-Step Preparation Method
Step 1: Place the chicken thighs or breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker in a single layer.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, ketchup, vinegar, sesame oil, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
Step 3: Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Step 4: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and set aside.
Step 5: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir it into the sauce in the slow cooker.
Step 6: Cover and cook on high for an additional 15–20 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
Step 7: Return the chicken to the slow cooker and spoon the thickened sauce over the top.
Step 8: Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
How to Serve
Serve Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken over steamed white or brown rice, quinoa, or noodles. It also pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables, steamed broccoli, or sautéed green beans. For a lighter option, serve it in lettuce wraps or alongside a fresh cucumber salad.
Recipe Tips
- Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts and are ideal for slow cooking.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to prevent the dish from becoming too salty.
- For extra garlic flavor, add an additional clove or two.
- Always thicken the sauce at the end to avoid a gummy texture.
- Let the chicken rest in the sauce for a few minutes before serving for maximum flavor.
Variations
Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken
Add extra red pepper flakes, chili garlic sauce, or sriracha to the sauce for heat.
Honey Garlic Chicken with Vegetables
Add bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas during the last hour of cooking for a complete one-pot meal.
Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken
After slow cooking, broil the chicken for 3–5 minutes and brush with sauce for crispy edges.
Pineapple Honey Garlic Chicken
Add pineapple chunks and a splash of pineapple juice for a sweet tropical twist.
Soy-Free Version
Substitute coconut aminos for soy sauce to make the recipe soy-free.
Freezing and Storage
Refrigeration
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing
Freeze cooked chicken and sauce in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Special Equipment Needed
- Slow cooker
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Small bowl for cornstarch slurry
- Tongs or spoon for serving
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is an easy, flavorful, and reliable recipe that’s perfect for busy schedules and cozy family meals. With tender chicken, a rich sweet-savory sauce, and endless serving options, it’s a dish that never disappoints. Whether served over rice, noodles, or vegetables, this recipe delivers comforting flavors with minimal effort, making it a must-have in your slow cooker rotation.
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Description
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a sweet, savory, and comforting dish that’s perfect for busy days when you want maximum flavor with minimal effort. Tender pieces of chicken are slowly cooked in a rich sauce made from honey, garlic, soy sauce, and a hint of warmth from spices, creating a beautifully balanced meal that appeals to all ages. The slow cooker does all the hard work, gently infusing the chicken with deep flavor while keeping it juicy and fall-apart tender.
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Place the chicken thighs or breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker in a single layer.
-
In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, ketchup, vinegar, sesame oil, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
-
Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
-
Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and set aside.
-
In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir it into the sauce in the slow cooker.
-
Cover and cook on high for an additional 15–20 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
-
Return the chicken to the slow cooker and spoon the thickened sauce over the top.
-
Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
