Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe Easy 5-Ingredient Meal
A simple and flavorful slow cooker recipe featuring tender chicken thighs cooked in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Perfect for busy days and picky eaters.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours (slow cooker low) or 2-3 hours (slow cooker high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes (slow cooker low) or 2 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes (slow cooker high)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/3 cup honey (113g)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (60ml), low-sodium preferred
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (30ml)
- Optional: red pepper flakes, sesame seeds, chopped green onions
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry the chicken thighs to help the sauce stick better and prevent steaming in the slow cooker.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar until smooth and well blended.
- Place the chicken thighs in a single layer at the bottom of the slow cooker. Slight stacking is okay if needed.
- Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the chicken, coating each piece thoroughly.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until the chicken is tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Optional: Switch slow cooker to high and cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes to thicken the sauce, stirring gently halfway through.
- Serve hot, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired, over rice, noodles, or vegetables.
Notes
Drying the chicken before cooking helps the sauce stick better and prevents watery results. Avoid opening the slow cooker lid during cooking to maintain heat. To thicken the sauce, add a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water) about 30 minutes before the end of cooking. For a spicy twist, add red pepper flakes or sriracha. Can be made gluten-free by substituting soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 32
Keywords: slow cooker, honey garlic chicken, easy dinner, 5-ingredient meal, comfort food, crockpot chicken, family-friendly