Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken: Easy Recipe
Effortless Weeknight Dinner Slow Cooker.
Tender chicken thighs slow-cooked in a sticky, sweet honey garlic sauce. The easiest, most flavorful weeknight dinner.
I remember the first time I made this. It was one of those chaotic Tuesdays. You know the kind. I threw everything into the crockpot in the morning, feeling a little doubtful, and rushed out the door. But when I came home that evening, wow. The house smelled amazing. The chicken was so tender it just fell apart. It felt like I'd given my future self a gift. Since then, it’s become our go-to for busy days. It’s comfort in a bowl.
Why This Recipe Feels Like a Gift
- •It's a true 'set it and forget it' meal.
- •The house smells absolutely divine while it cooks.
- •The chicken becomes impossibly tender and juicy.
- •That sweet and savory sauce is good on everything.
- •Cleanup is so easy, which is honestly the best part.
- •It's a meal that feels special without any of the fuss.
I made this for dinner last night and my entire family absolutely loved it. The chicken was fall-apart tender, and that sauce... oh, that sauce is just heavenly. This is definitely going into our regular rotation. Thank you for such an easy and delicious recipe!
Essential Ingredient Guide
- Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless thighs are my favorite for the slow cooker. They stay so moist and tender and just fall apart beautifully. Chicken breasts work too, but they can dry out if cooked too long, so keep an eye on them.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: This is important for controlling the saltiness. Regular soy sauce can make the final dish a bit too salty, especially as the sauce reduces. Using low-sodium gives you that perfect savory balance.
- Honey: This provides the sweetness and helps create that wonderful sticky glaze. Any kind of liquid honey you have on hand will work perfectly.
- Fresh Garlic: Please, use fresh garlic if you can. The flavor is so much brighter and more aromatic than the jarred kind. It really makes a difference in a simple sauce like this.
Complete Cooking Process
- Find a simple mixing bowl.
- Add the soy sauce, honey, ketchup, garlic, and seasonings.
- Whisk it all together until it's smooth. That’s it. Your work is mostly done.
- Arrange your chicken thighs in the crockpot.
- Pour that beautiful sauce right over the top.
- Put the lid on, turn it to low, and walk away. Let it do its magic for the next 4 to 6 hours.
- Once the chicken is tender, take it out and shred it.
- Pour the sauce into a small pot on the stove.
- Whisk in a cornstarch slurry and let it bubble for a minute until it’s thick and glossy.
- Pour the thickened sauce over your shredded chicken and give it a gentle stir. Done.
A Few Common Questions
→Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, you can! I'd recommend cooking them on LOW for 2-3 hours, as they cook faster and can become dry if overcooked. Check them early to be safe.
→Can I make this recipe spicy?
Absolutely. The red pepper flakes add a gentle warmth, but feel free to add more, or even a teaspoon of sriracha or gochujang to the sauce for a real kick.
→Is this freezer-friendly?
It is! You can freeze the cooked chicken and sauce together in an airtight container for up to 3 months. It reheats beautifully for a super quick meal later on.
→Do I need to thicken the sauce on the stovetop?
You don't have to, but I really recommend it. It only takes a few minutes and transforms the liquid from the crockpot into a rich, sticky glaze that clings to the chicken perfectly.
Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken: Easy Recipe
Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken recipe! Chicken thighs in a sweet garlic sauce, slow-cooked to perfection. Serve with rice or veggies.
Timing
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
4-6 hours
Total Time
4 hours 10 minutes
Recipe Details
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 012 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 021/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 031/2 cup honey
- 041/4 cup ketchup
- 054 cloves garlic, minced
- 061 teaspoon dried oregano
- 071/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 082 tablespoons cornstarch
- 093 tablespoons cold water
For Garnish
- 01Toasted sesame seeds
- 02Sliced green onions
Instructions
Place the chicken thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker in a single layer if possible.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, ketchup, minced garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes.
Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken thighs in the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Set aside.
Pour the remaining sauce from the slow cooker into a small saucepan over medium heat.
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Whisk it into the saucepan with the sauce.
Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring constantly, until it thickens. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and pour the thickened sauce over it. Stir gently to combine.
Serve warm over rice or with steamed vegetables, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes & Tips
- 1The chicken will release a lot of liquid as it cooks. Don't worry, this is normal and becomes the base for your delicious sauce.
- 2Feel free to add some vegetables like chopped onions or carrots to the bottom of the slow cooker for extra flavor and nutrition.
Tools You'll Need
- •For extra flavor, you can give the chicken thighs a quick sear in a hot pan before adding them to the slow cooker.
- •Don't lift the lid while it's cooking! Slow cookers lose a lot of heat each time, extending the cooking time.
- •If your sauce isn't thickening enough, just let it simmer for another minute or two. It'll get there.
- •This chicken is even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld together.