Description
Succulent honey garlic chicken legs simmer perfectly in slow cookers, creating a mouthwatering meal for family dinners. Tender meat glazed with sweet and savory sauce promises delicious comfort you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 kg (3 lbs) chicken legs (drumsticks)
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger (or 1 tsp ground ginger)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsps water
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Marinade Creation: Blend honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, and seasonings in a mixing bowl until ingredients harmonize into a cohesive liquid.
- Chicken Preparation: Nestle chicken legs in the slow cooker, thoroughly drenching them with the prepared marinade to ensure complete flavor infusion.
- Slow Cooking Process: Set slow cooker to low heat for 5-6 hours or high heat for 2-3 hours, allowing chicken to tenderize and absorb the rich, aromatic essence until meat becomes fork-tender and reaches optimal internal temperature.
- Sauce Transformation: Remove chicken legs and transfer cooking liquid to a saucepan, whisking cornstarch mixture until sauce develops a glossy, velvety consistency that clings perfectly to the meat.
- Glazing Technique: Return chicken legs to the thickened sauce, gently rotating to achieve an even, luxurious coating that amplifies the dish’s flavor profile.
- Elegant Presentation: Arrange glazed chicken on a serving platter, embellishing with freshly chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds, accompanied by steamed rice or roasted vegetables to complete the culinary experience.
Notes
- Optimize Chicken Flavor: Marinate chicken legs overnight in the refrigerator to enhance deeper flavor absorption and tenderness before slow cooking.
- Prevent Dry Meat: Avoid overcooking by checking internal temperature, which should reach 165°F (74°C) without exceeding to maintain juicy, succulent chicken.
- Sauce Consistency Control: Adjust cornstarch slurry gradually while stirring to achieve perfect sauce thickness, adding more water or cornstarch as needed for desired glaze texture.
- Dietary Modification Options: Substitute honey with maple syrup for vegan alternatives, use gluten-free soy sauce for celiac-friendly version, or replace chicken legs with tofu or plant-based protein for vegetarian adaptation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg