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Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

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This slow cooker honey garlic chicken is a sweet, garlicky, and irresistibly flavorful dinner that comes together effortlessly in your crockpot. With a sticky honey garlic sauce and tender chicken, it’s a family-friendly meal perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 4–5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water (for cornstarch slurry)
  • Cooked rice or quinoa, for serving (optional)
  • Steamed broccoli or snap peas, for serving (optional)
  • Sliced green onions, for garnish (optional)
  • Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and trim excess fat. If using chicken breasts, cut in half for even cooking.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, ketchup, sesame oil (if using), and crushed red pepper flakes until smooth.
  3. Place chicken thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker in a single layer. Pour the honey garlic sauce over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2 1/2–3 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shredded with a fork. (Check after 4 hours on low if using breasts.)
  5. Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate.
  6. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Stir the slurry into the sauce in the slow cooker. Turn heat to high and cook, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens. (Optional: Transfer sauce to a saucepan and simmer on the stove for extra glossiness.)
  7. Shred or slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  8. Return chicken to the slow cooker and toss to coat in the thickened sauce. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  9. Serve hot over rice, quinoa, or steamed veggies. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce and check ketchup for hidden gluten. Chicken breasts can be substituted but cook faster. Adjust honey, garlic, or vinegar to taste. Thicken sauce at the end for best texture. Leftovers keep well and flavors deepen overnight. Serve with rice, quinoa, or steamed veggies for a complete meal.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, crockpot, honey garlic chicken, easy dinner, family meal, meal prep, Asian chicken, gluten-free option, chicken thighs, comfort food

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/slow-cooker-honey-garlic-chicken-recipe-easy-crockpot-dinner-idea/