Lip-Smacking Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Tender chicken sings with an irresistible slow cooker honey garlic magic that melts in your mouth.

Sweet and savory flavors dance together effortlessly in this simple weeknight dinner.

The rich aroma fills your kitchen with delightful anticipation.

Minimal ingredients combine to create a surprisingly complex taste profile.

Each bite promises a perfect blend of golden honey and robust garlic notes.

Succulent meat falls apart with the gentlest touch of a fork.

You’ll want to savor every single morsel of this delectable dish.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours

Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 260 kcal

Servings: 13

All Ingredients For Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps create a glossy, caramelized glaze that makes the chicken irresistibly sticky.
• Soy Sauce: Provides depth of flavor and umami, bringing a rich, savory base to the dish.
• Ketchup: Contributes tangy brightness and helps thicken the sauce with its tomato base.
• Garlic: Delivers a pungent, aromatic kick that's essential to the dish's bold flavor profile.
• Ginger: Offers a warm, slightly spicy undertone that complements the other seasonings.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds a subtle acidity that balances the sweetness and rounds out the sauce.
• Sesame Oil: Brings a nutty, toasted essence that elevates the overall taste.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces a gentle heat that sparks excitement in every bite.

• Chicken: The star of the dish, absorbing all the delicious marinade flavors while becoming tender and juicy in the slow cooker.

• Green Onions: Provide a fresh, crisp contrast and bright green color to the finished dish.
• Sesame Seeds: Add a delightful crunch and nutty visual appeal when sprinkled on top.

Kitchen Tools For Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

• Slow Cooker: Large, reliable appliance for hands-off cooking.
• Whisk: Essential for blending sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Small Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining marinade components.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements ensure balanced flavors.
• Cutting Board: Helps prepare any additional ingredients if needed.
• Sharp Knife: Useful for chopping garlic or preparing garnishes.

Steps To Cook Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

• Create Flavor Fusion Prep the magical marinade by blending honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl until smoothly combined.
• Arrange Chicken Bed Place chicken breasts or thighs in your slow cooker, creating a cozy layer that will soak up all the delicious sauce.
• Pour Liquid Magic Drench the chicken completely with the prepared marinade, ensuring every inch gets a flavor bath.
• Set and Forget Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, letting the slow cooker transform your ingredients into a tender, mouthwatering meal.
• Shred and Serve Use two forks to gently pull the chicken apart, creating juicy, succulent strands that will melt in your mouth.
• Garnish and Enjoy Sprinkle some fresh chopped green onions or sesame seeds on top, then serve over steamed rice or with your favorite side dishes for a complete, restaurant-worthy dinner.

Tips And Tricks For Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

• Flavor Boost: Add a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or chopped green onions just before serving to enhance the dish's visual appeal and taste.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Replace regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the recipe completely gluten-free without compromising flavor.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust red pepper flakes to make the dish mild for kids or extra spicy for heat lovers. Start with a pinch and increase gradually.
• Protein Alternatives: Swap chicken thighs with chicken breasts, turkey, or plant-based protein like tofu for different dietary preferences and textures.
• Meal Prep Magic: This recipe freezes beautifully. Store in airtight containers for up to 3 months, making it perfect for quick weeknight dinners or busy families.

Ways To Serve Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe At Home

• Flavor-Packed Plate Partner: Serve this succulent chicken over steamed jasmine rice, allowing the sweet and tangy sauce to drizzle and infuse each grain with delicious flavor.
• Asian-Inspired Side Kick: Pair with quick-pickled cucumber slices and crisp green onions for a refreshing contrast that cuts through the rich, savory sauce.
• Veggie Boost Companion: Roast broccoli or snap peas alongside the chicken to add vibrant green vegetables that complement the honey garlic sauce's deep, complex taste.
• Texture Tower: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped fresh cilantro on top for an extra layer of crunch and aromatic freshness that elevates the entire dish.

How To Keep Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe Fresh

• Fresh Batch Preparation: Create multiple servings of this delicious honey garlic chicken sauce ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, perfect for quick meal prep during busy weeks.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store cooked chicken in sealed containers, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days. Separate the sauce from the meat to maintain optimal texture and prevent sogginess when reheating.
• Freezing Technique: Portion the chicken and sauce into freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, allowing flat storage that saves space. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring a convenient backup meal for hectic scheddays.
• Reheating Magic: Gently warm the chicken in a skillet with a splash of extra sauce to restore moisture, or use the microwave with a damp paper towel covering the dish to prevent drying out. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and maintain the dish's delicious flavor profile.

Juicy Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Honey garlic chicken delights home cooks with its simple yet flavorful approach to weeknight meals. Succulent chicken thighs bathe in a sweet and savory sauce, promising a satisfying dinner you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4–6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
• ½ cup (120 ml/4 fl oz) honey
• ⅓ cup (80 ml/2.7 fl oz) low-sodium soy sauce
• ¼ cup (60 ml/2 fl oz) ketchup
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated (optional)
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 2 tbsps cornstarch
• 2 tbsps water
• Sesame seeds (for garnish)
• Chopped green onions (for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Marinade Preparation: Whisk honey, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes into a smooth, fragrant emulsion that coats the palate with rich, complex flavors.
2. Chicken Placement: Arrange chicken pieces in a single, relaxed layer within the slow cooker, ensuring minimal overlap to promote even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
3. Flavor Infusion: Cascade the prepared marinade over the chicken, massaging the liquid to guarantee complete and uniform coverage, allowing each morsel to become deeply saturated with the aromatic blend.
4. Slow Cooking Process: Secure the lid and program the slow cooker to low heat, allowing the chicken to gently simmer and tenderize for 4-5 hours, transforming the proteins into melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
5. Moisture Management: Intermittently baste the chicken using tongs, redistributing the cooking liquids to enhance moisture retention and intensify the flavor profile throughout the cooking duration.
6. Finishing Touches: Once the chicken reaches optimal tenderness and safe internal temperature, delicately transfer the pieces to a serving platter, creating an inviting presentation.
7. Sauce Refinement: Optionally, elevate the remaining cooking liquid by reducing it on high heat, stirring consistently until the sauce metamorphoses into a glossy, concentrated glaze that clings seductively to the chicken.
8. Serving Presentation: Embellish the dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped green onions or toasted sesame seeds, adding a vibrant visual and textural dimension before serving alongside steamed rice or roasted vegetables.

Notes

• Avoid Overcrowding: Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer to ensure even cooking and prevent steaming instead of achieving desired tenderness.
• Marinade Mastery: Whisk marinade ingredients thoroughly to create a well-blended, harmonious sauce that coats chicken evenly and maximizes flavor absorption.
• Moisture Management: Baste chicken periodically with cooking liquid to prevent dryness and enhance overall flavor profile during slow cooking process.
• Sauce Reduction Technique: Optional step to intensify sauce flavors by carefully reducing liquid, creating a glossy, concentrated glaze that elevates the dish’s taste and presentation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 260
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 4 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg