Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken is an easy, delicious dinner made with tender chicken slowly cooked in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. With just a handful of simple ingredients and minimal prep, this comforting meal is perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
For Garnishing
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, optional
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken
Place the chicken thighs or breasts in the bottom of your crockpot.
If using chicken breasts, you can cut them into large pieces for more even cooking.
2. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil, black pepper, ginger, and red pepper flakes if using.
Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken.
3. Slow Cook
Cover and cook on:
- LOW for 4–6 hours, or
- HIGH for 2–3 hours
Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is tender.
Avoid cooking chicken breasts significantly longer than necessary, as they can become dry.
4. Thicken the Sauce
Remove the cooked chicken from the crockpot and set it aside.
Pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan if desired. Mix the cornstarch with cold water in a small bowl until smooth.
Whisk the slurry into the sauce and simmer for 2–4 minutes, until thickened.
Alternatively, add the cornstarch slurry directly to the crockpot and cook on HIGH for about 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Coat the Chicken
Return the chicken to the thickened sauce and spoon the sauce generously over the top.
For shredded chicken, use two forks to pull the chicken apart, then mix it into the sauce.
6. Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
Serve hot over steamed white rice, brown rice, or noodles.
Tips for the Best Honey Garlic Chicken
- Chicken thighs are especially juicy and forgiving in the slow cooker.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce so the finished dish doesn’t become too salty.
- Freshly minced garlic gives the sauce a much better flavor than garlic powder.
- For a thicker, glossy sauce, don’t skip the cornstarch slurry.
- Add red pepper flakes for a sweet-and-spicy version.
What to Serve With It
This chicken pairs perfectly with:
- Steamed jasmine rice
- Fried rice
- Egg noodles
- Mashed potatoes
- Steamed broccoli
- Green beans
- Stir-fried vegetables
- Asian cucumber salad
Storage
Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently until steaming hot.
The result is tender, juicy chicken coated in a sticky honey-garlic sauce that’s sweet, savory, garlicky, and incredibly satisfying. 🍯🧄🍗