Irresistible Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
A fuss-free, flavorful crockpot recipe featuring tender chicken thighs simmered in a sticky honey garlic sauce, perfect for busy weeknights and family meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5-6 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes (low) or 3 hours 10 minutes to 4 hours 10 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup honey (raw or wildflower preferred)
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, water, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using until honey dissolves.
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and place skin-side up in the crockpot in a single layer if possible.
- Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the chicken thighs, ensuring some seeps underneath.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours until chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- About 15 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry. Spoon out some sauce into a saucepan, heat on medium, stir in slurry, and cook until thickened (2-3 minutes). Pour thickened sauce back over chicken in the crockpot.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve hot over steamed rice, noodles, or alongside roasted vegetables.
Notes
Pat chicken dry to improve texture. Do not open lid during cooking to maintain heat. Thicken sauce at the end with cornstarch slurry for a glossy finish. Adjust honey and vinegar to taste before cooking. For gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. Can substitute maple syrup or agave for honey for lower sugar. Boneless thighs cook faster; check earlier to avoid dryness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Protein: 28
Keywords: crockpot chicken, honey garlic chicken, slow cooker recipe, easy dinner, family meal, chicken thighs, comfort food