Tangy Slow Cooker Honey Sriracha Chicken Recipe

Sizzling Honey Sriracha Chicken Recipe from Your Slow Cooker

Weeknight dinners demand bold flavors that spark excitement at the dinner table.

This tangy slow cooker honey sriracha chicken recipe delivers a mouthwatering punch of sweet and spicy goodness.

Tender chicken becomes irresistible when bathed in a glaze that balances heat and sweetness perfectly.

The slow cooker works magic, allowing complex flavors to develop without constant monitoring.

Minimal prep means you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying a delicious meal.

Sriracha brings the kick while honey smooths out the edges of spice, creating a harmony of tastes.

Serve this crowd-pleasing dish over fluffy rice or wrapped in warm tortillas for a dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients List For Slow Cooker Honey Sriracha Chicken

For Protein Base:
  • Chicken: Tender protein that soaks up the bold flavor profile, choose boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs for best results and even cooking.
For Sauce Components:
  • Honey: Sweet binding agent that balances spiciness and creates glossy texture, opt for raw or local honey for deeper flavor complexity.
  • Sriracha: Provides signature heat and vibrant red color, select authentic Thai-style sauce for genuine kick.
  • Soy Sauce: Adds umami depth and saltiness, choose low-sodium version to control overall dish saltiness.
  • Rice Vinegar: Introduces tangy brightness and helps tenderize meat, look for clear, clean-tasting variety.
  • Lime Juice: Brings fresh citrusy brightness and helps cut through richness, use fresh-squeezed for maximum zest.
For Seasoning and Thickening:
  • Garlic: Aromatic base that enhances overall flavor profile, fresh cloves offer more intense taste than pre-minced.
  • Ginger: Adds warm, slightly spicy undertone, fresh root provides more vibrant flavor than powdered.
  • Cornstarch: Creates silky sauce texture and helps thicken liquid, ensure it's mixed smoothly to prevent lumps.
  • Salt: Enhances and balances other seasonings, use kosher or sea salt for cleaner taste.
  • Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity, freshly ground offers more robust flavor.
  • Garlic Powder: Provides consistent garlic flavor, choose high-quality brand for best results.
  • Onion Powder: Introduces mild sweetness and depth, select pure powder without additives.
For Garnish:
  • Green Onions

Tools To Prep Slow Cooker Honey Sriracha Chicken

  • Slow cooker: Essential for cooking the chicken low and slow, ensuring tender, flavorful meat.
  • Mixing bowl: Perfect for whisking together the honey sriracha sauce ingredients.
  • Whisk: Helps blend the sauce ingredients smoothly and evenly.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurately measuring sauce components.
  • Cutting board: Useful for preparing garlic, ginger, and green onion garnish.
  • Sharp knife: Needed for chopping ingredients and shredding chicken if desired.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring the cornstarch slurry and mixing sauce.

Steps To Make Slow Cooker Honey Sriracha Chicken

  • Flavor the Chicken

Season chicken with classic spices, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Transfer the seasoned chicken to your slow cooker, preparing it for a delicious transformation.

  • Create Spicy-Sweet Sauce

Blend honey, sriracha, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, minced garlic, and ginger in a mixing bowl. Whisk together until the ingredients form a harmonious, tangy mixture.

  • Slow Cook to Perfection

Pour the vibrant sauce over the chicken, covering it completely. Secure the lid and let the slow cooker work its magic, cooking on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours until the chicken becomes incredibly tender.

  • Finish and Enhance

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker. If desired, thicken the sauce by stirring in a cornstarch mixture and cooking for an additional 15 minutes on high heat.

  • Plate and Enjoy

Arrange the succulent chicken on a bed of rice or in lettuce wraps. Drizzle the rich sauce over the top and sprinkle with fresh green onions and sesame seeds for a gorgeous, restaurant-worthy presentation.

Tasty Tweaks For Slow Cooker Honey Sriracha Chicken

  • Perfect Slow Cooker Texture: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help spices adhere better and prevent excess moisture during cooking.
  • Spice Level Control: Adjust sriracha amount based on heat preference – less for mild, more for extra kick.
  • Meal Prep Magic: This dish freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers with sauce for easy weeknight meals.
  • Gluten-Free Swap: Replace regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the recipe completely gluten-free without losing flavor complexity.
  • Low-Carb Version: Skip rice and serve over cauliflower rice or inside lettuce cups for a lighter, keto-friendly option that keeps all the delicious sriracha-honey goodness.

Serve Slow Cooker Honey Sriracha Chicken With Sides

  • Flavor Explosion Platter: Create a vibrant serving board with the shredded honey sriracha chicken placed in the center, surrounded by colorful side dishes like pickled vegetables, crisp cucumber salad, and warm jasmine rice.
  • Wrap Party Delight: Transform the chicken into fresh lettuce wraps using butter lettuce leaves, adding extra crunch with julienned carrots, sliced green onions, and a drizzle of extra sauce for guests to customize their own wraps.
  • Asian-Inspired Bowl Feast: Layer the tender chicken over steamed brown rice or quinoa, then top with quick-pickled radishes, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, and a soft-boiled egg for a protein-packed meal with complex flavors.
  • Spicy Sandwich Twist: Pile the shredded chicken onto soft brioche buns, adding a quick slaw of cabbage and cilantro, then give a final drizzle of the tangy sauce for a gourmet lunch option that packs a delicious punch.

Keep Slow Cooker Honey Sriracha Chicken Tasty Overnight

  • Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare double the recipe to enjoy multiple meals throughout the week. These chicken portions freeze beautifully and reheat quickly for busy weeknights.
  • Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover chicken in airtight containers, keeping sauce separate to maintain optimal texture. Consume within 3-4 days for best flavor and food safety.
  • Freezer-Friendly Option: Portion cooled chicken into individual containers or freezer bags. Freeze up to 3 months, ensuring maximum taste and tenderness when reheated slowly.
  • Versatile Leftover Transformations: Repurpose remaining chicken into salads, tacos, sandwich fillings, or quick stir-fry dishes. Mix with fresh vegetables for a quick lunch or dinner solution.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Tangy Slow Cooker Honey Sriracha Chicken Recipe

Tangy Slow Cooker Honey Sriracha Chicken Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Honey sriracha chicken brings together sweet and spicy flavors in a simple slow cooker meal. Home cooks savor this easy Asian-inspired dish that delivers bold taste with minimal preparation.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (907 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • ½ tsp (2.5 g) salt
  • ½ tsp (1 g) black pepper
  • 1 tsp (2 g) garlic powder
  • 1 tsp (2 g) onion powder
  • 1 tsp (2 g) grated ginger
  • 1 tbsp (15 g) minced garlic
  • ½ cup (170 g) honey
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) sriracha sauce
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) lime juice
  • 1 tsp (5 g) cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) water
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1 tbsp (10 g) sesame seeds
  • cooked jasmine rice or quinoa

Instructions

  1. Marinade Preparation: Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, massaging the seasonings into every surface for maximum flavor infusion.
  2. Sauce Creation: Whisk together honey, sriracha, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a mixing bowl until the sauce becomes a harmonious blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy notes.
  3. Slow Cooking Process: Transfer seasoned chicken to the slow cooker, pour the vibrant sauce over the meat, ensuring complete coverage, then cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours until chicken becomes incredibly tender and easily separates.
  4. Sauce Refinement: Remove chicken from cooking liquid, then create a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce, simmering on high heat for 15 minutes until it reaches a glossy, luxurious consistency.
  5. Finishing Touch: Shred or keep chicken whole, plate with the intensified sauce, and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, serving alongside steamed rice, quinoa, or lettuce wraps for a multi-dimensional culinary experience.

Notes

  • Optimize Seasoning Technique: Thoroughly coat chicken with dry seasonings by using your hands to massage and distribute spices evenly, ensuring maximum flavor penetration.
  • Sauce Balance Control: Adjust honey and sriracha ratios to customize heat level – add more honey for sweetness or extra sriracha for intense spiciness without compromising overall taste profile.
  • Prevent Dry Chicken: Monitor cooking time carefully and use chicken thighs instead of breasts to maintain moisture, as thighs naturally remain more tender and juicy during slow cooking process.
  • Thickening Sauce Trick: Mix cornstarch slurry precisely by combining equal parts cold water and cornstarch, whisking until smooth before adding to sauce to prevent lumps and achieve glossy, restaurant-quality consistency.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star