Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Introduction

This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a perfect balance of sweet and savory with a gentle kick of heat. Tender chicken thighs simmer in a flavorful sauce, making it an easy and comforting meal to serve over your favorite grain. Ideal for busy days when you want a delicious dinner with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
• 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons chili paste (sambal oelek, sriracha, or hot sauce of choice)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• Prepared brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice (for serving)
• Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
• Chopped green onion (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place the chicken in the bottom of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. In a medium bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together soy sauce, honey, tomato paste, chili paste, minced garlic, and rice vinegar. Pour this mixture over the chicken.
2. Step 2: Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Optionally, flip the chicken halfway through cooking to coat both sides evenly.
3. Step 3: Remove chicken to a plate and let cool slightly. Whisk cornstarch into the slow cooker liquid, cover, and cook on HIGH for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
4. Step 4: For thicker sauce, you can either cook it for a full 30 minutes in the slow cooker or transfer the sauce to a medium saucepan and simmer on the stove over medium heat, stirring often until thickened, about 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Step 5: Shred the chicken using two forks or your fingers once cooled enough. Return the chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat with the thickened sauce. Serve over prepared rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice, garnished with green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the sauce mixture for 1 hour before cooking.
• Swap chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer leaner meat, but thighs stay more tender in slow cooking.
• Adjust the heat by using less chili paste or swapping for a milder hot sauce.
• Add steamed broccoli or snap peas just before serving for added color and nutrition.

Storage

Store leftover honey garlic chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent drying out.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use thawed chicken for even cooking in the slow cooker. If using frozen chicken, increase the cooking time and ensure it reaches 165°F internally before serving.

How do I make the sauce less sweet?

Reduce the honey slightly or add a splash more rice vinegar for extra tanginess to balance the sweetness.

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 71 reviews

This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken recipe combines tender, juicy chicken thighs simmered in a flavorful, sweet and savory honey garlic sauce made with soy sauce, honey, tomato paste, and a touch of chili paste. Slow cooking allows the chicken to absorb the delicious flavors, and a cornstarch-thickened sauce completes the dish, perfect served over rice or your favorite grain, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions.

• Author: Mila
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 to 5 hours depending on slow cooker setting
• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Asian
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

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Chicken and Sauce

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
• 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons chili paste (sambal oelek, sriracha, or hot sauce of choice)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

Sauce Thickener

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

To Serve

• Prepared brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Chopped green onion

Instructions

1. Prepare the slow cooker: Place the chicken in the bottom of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. In a medium bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, tomato paste, chili paste, minced garlic, and rice vinegar until well combined. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken, ensuring it is evenly coated. Cover and set the slow cooker to cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours. If possible, flip the chicken halfway through cooking to coat both sides thoroughly.
2. Thicken the sauce in the slow cooker: Once the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), remove it from the slow cooker and place on a plate to cool slightly. Whisk the cornstarch into the remaining cooking liquid in the slow cooker thoroughly. Cover and cook on HIGH for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the sauce to thicken. For a thicker sauce, continue cooking for up to 30 minutes.
3. Optional stovetop sauce thickening: For quicker thickening, transfer the cornstarch-mixed cooking liquid to a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat on the stove. Stir frequently until the sauce thickens, about 5 to 10 minutes. If your slow cooker insert is stovetop safe, you may carefully use it directly on the burner, but only if certain of its safety to prevent damage.
4. Shred and combine chicken with sauce: Using two forks or your fingers if cooled enough, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. If you thickened the sauce on the stove, pour it back into the slow cooker now. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly with the thickened sauce.
5. Serve: Spoon the honey garlic chicken over prepared brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions for added flavor and texture. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

• You can use chicken breast if you prefer leaner meat, but thighs stay juicier in slow cooking.
• Adjust the amount of chili paste to control the heat intensity according to your taste.
• If you don’t have cornstarch, you can use arrowroot powder as a thickener.
• For a gluten-free version, ensure your soy sauce is tamari or another gluten-free variety.
• Flipping the chicken halfway through cooking is recommended but not essential.
• Leftover chicken and sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for longer storage.

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, honey garlic chicken, easy slow cooker recipes, one-pot chicken, slow cooker dinner, sweet and spicy chicken