Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
If you’re craving a dish that practically cooks itself and floods your kitchen with irresistible aromas, look no further than Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken. Tender, juicy chicken slow-bathed in a luscious blend of sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and bright lime makes this meal a family favorite that’s always greeted by happy sighs at the table. Plus, the effortless preparation and set-it-and-forget-it approach mean you’ll get all the flavors of takeout without ever picking up the phone!
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of everyday ingredients, you can conjure up a Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken that tastes like it took all day to prepare. Each ingredient is carefully chosen for its role in adding flavor, texture, or color to this delightfully simple dish—don’t skip any!
- Chicken thighs or breasts: Opt for thighs for the juiciest, most flavorful result, or breasts if you like things a bit leaner—either way, the slow cooker does the magic.
- Low-sodium soy sauce or tamari: This brings all the umami punch without overwhelming the dish with salt, and tamari makes it gluten-free!
- Honey: Nature’s sweetener lends that signature sticky glaze and perfectly counters the savory soy sauce.
- Garlic: Four fresh cloves infuse everything with a deep, mouthwatering aroma and satisfying punch.
- Lime juice: Just a squeeze adds brightness and a touch of tang to balance out the honey.
- Cornstarch + water (optional): This duo helps thicken the sauce for those who love it extra glossy and clingy on every bite.
- Sliced green onions: The final flourish for freshness and crunch—plus, they make the dish look as good as it tastes!
- Hot sauce (optional): For anyone who loves a fiery kick, drizzle it on to taste.
How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Step 1: Whisk Together the Sauce
Start by combining your soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and lime juice in a medium bowl. Give it a really good whisk so the honey fully dissolves and the sauce becomes glossy. This mixture isn’t just the star flavor agent—it also works to tenderize your chicken as it cooks. Make sure the garlic is evenly distributed so every bite gets that garlicy punch.
Step 2: Layer the Chicken and Pour the Sauce
Nestle your chicken thighs or breasts into the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour about three-quarters of your prepared sauce over the chicken, and tuck the reserved sauce aside for later. Trust me, this layering infuses every piece with maximum flavor without washing out the chicken. Pop the lid on your slow cooker and set the timer—smiles incoming!
Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 to 4 hours or LOW for 4 to 6 hours. There’s something magical about the way Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken practically falls apart when it’s ready—the chicken becomes so tender that it effortlessly shreds, and your kitchen will smell completely mouthwatering. Resisting peeking is hard, but it’s worth it!
Step 4: Shred and Thicken the Sauce (Optional)
Once your chicken is cooked through, remove it from the slow cooker and shred using two forks. If you prefer a thicker sauce (who could blame you?), whisk the cornstarch and water together then stir the slurry into a couple tablespoons of the cooking liquid in the slow cooker. Add your reserved sauce and cook on HIGH for 15–30 minutes, letting it bubble away until it’s glossy and thick. Return the shredded chicken and stir everything together to coat each strand in that sticky, aromatic sauce!
Step 5: Serve and Savor
Spoon your glorious Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken over hot rice or steamed veggies, then scatter with sliced green onions and a dash of hot sauce if you like things spicy. The aromas, the colors, the tender chicken soaking up every bit of sauce—it’s pure comfort food perfection.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Garnishes
A scattering of sliced green onions not only adds a fresh, crisp bite but also a pop of color that makes the dish look restaurant-fancy. If you’re in the mood for a little extra excitement, sprinkle on some sesame seeds or a whisper of red chili flakes—both add visual flair and a tantalizing flavor boost.
Side Dishes
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken shines brightest when served over a fluffy pile of jasmine or basmati rice, which soaks up all that sticky, savory-sweet sauce. If you’re skipping grains or want a pop of color, try lightly steamed broccoli, snap peas, or stir-fried Asian veggies on the side. A simple cucumber salad brings refreshing crunch to the party!
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, pile the chicken onto toasted slider buns for an irresistible sandwich, or wrap it in lettuce cups for a lighter take. Got leftovers? Load up a grain bowl with rice, veggies, and a scoop of honey garlic chicken—the sauce ties everything together beautifully. Try it as a filling in Asian-style tacos for a fusion weeknight treat!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors develop even more after a night in the fridge, making for an easy, flavorful next-day meal. It’ll keep well for 3–4 days, and the sauce keeps the chicken moist and delicious.
Freezing
This recipe is a champion when it comes to freezing! Cool the chicken and sauce completely, then transfer to freezer bags or airtight containers. Label, date, and freeze for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight for a nearly effortless future dinner.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm the chicken and sauce together on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or chicken broth if the sauce has thickened too much during storage, and garnish as usual before serving.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken?
For food safety and even cooking, it’s best to thaw your chicken before adding it to the slow cooker. Starting with frozen chicken can lead to uneven results and potential food safety issues, so always go for fresh or fully thawed!
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just use tamari in place of regular soy sauce and double-check your other ingredients. It’s a super simple swap and nobody will notice the difference in taste or texture.
How do I avoid dry chicken breasts in the slow cooker?
Chicken breasts can dry out if overcooked, so keep an eye on your timing—most chicken breasts will be perfect after about 2 hours on HIGH or 4 hours on LOW. If you love extra-juicy results, chicken thighs are naturally more forgiving.
Is it necessary to thicken the sauce?
Not at all! If you enjoy a lighter sauce, serve it as is straight from the slow cooker. If you like a velvety, clingy glaze, take the extra step to thicken with cornstarch and water—it’s a personal texture preference.
What’s the best way to add heat to this dish?
A few dashes of your favorite hot sauce stirred into the finished dish is the quickest way, but you can also add a pinch of chili flakes or a sliced jalapeño. Taste as you go—spice level is all about personal preference!
Final Thoughts
There’s something so comforting and rewarding about serving up a big bowl of Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken, especially knowing how little hands-on time it took! I hope this recipe finds a happy home at your dinner table—give it a try and let those sweet, garlicky aromas fill your kitchen soon!
Print
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes to 6 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make dish with tender chicken in a flavorful sweet and savory sauce. Perfect for a no-fuss dinner that the whole family will love!
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Sauce:
- ¾ cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- ½ cup honey
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- juice of 1 lime
Additional:
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (optional for thickening)
- sliced green onions for garnish
- hot sauce for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, garlic, and lime juice.
- Cook Chicken: Place the chicken in a 6-quart slow cooker and pour three-quarters of the sauce over the top. Cook on HIGH for 2 to 4 hours or on LOW for 4 to 6 hours.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken, shred it, and thicken the sauce if desired with cornstarch slurry. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker, coat in sauce, and heat through.
- Serve: Garnish with green onions and hot sauce if desired. Serve over rice or with vegetables.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Chicken thighs are juicier, but breasts work well if not overcooked.
- The sauce can be served as-is for a lighter texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 to 4 hours on HIGH or 4 to 6 hours on LOW
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup chicken with sauce
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
