Description
Homemade slow cooker honey garlic chicken & noodles brings comfort to family dinners with minimal effort. Simple ingredients blend deliciously, creating a meal packed with savory-sweet flavor that satisfies hungry diners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds (907 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 oz (226 g) noodles (lo mein, ramen, or spaghetti)
- ½ cup (120 ml) honey
- ¼ cup (60 ml) soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth
- 2 tbsps rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 2 tbsps hoisin sauce (optional, for extra depth)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsps water
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1 tbsp butter or sesame oil (for tossing)
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- Extra red pepper flakes (for spice)
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Lavishly coat chicken with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, then transfer into slow cooker vessel.
- Sauce Creation: Whisk honey, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, and chicken broth into a harmonious liquid mixture, pouring thoroughly over chicken.
- Slow Cooking Process: Seal slow cooker lid, cooking on LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours until chicken transforms into tender, easily shredded strands.
- Sauce Refinement: Blend cornstarch with water to create a smooth slurry, integrating into cooking liquid and simmering on HIGH for 15 minutes to achieve optimal sauce thickness.
- Noodle Preparation and Incorporation: Cook noodles according to package instructions, drain, and toss with butter or sesame oil. Shred cooked chicken, return to slow cooker, and gently fold in prepared noodles, ensuring complete sauce coverage.
- Final Garnishing: Embellish with chopped green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and optional extra red pepper flakes. Serve immediately, celebrating the dish’s rich, complex flavor profile.
Notes
- Optimize Seasoning: Generously coat chicken with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder for maximum flavor penetration. Be consistent and even with spice distribution.
- Master Sauce Technique: Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly to ensure smooth, well-blended consistency. Use room temperature ingredients for better integration.
- Control Cooking Time: Slow cooker times vary by appliance; check chicken tenderness at minimum recommended time to prevent overcooking. Chicken should shred easily with fork.
- Perfect Sauce Thickness: Cornstarch slurry is crucial for sauce consistency. Mix cornstarch and water separately before adding to prevent lumps. Adjust thickness by gradually adding slurry and monitoring sauce texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg