Imagine coming home to the irresistible aroma of tender chicken coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory honey garlic glaze. With minimal prep and hands-off cooking, this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is your ticket to a stress-free, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Whether you’re feeding picky kids or hosting a casual gathering, this recipe delivers bold flavors with minimal effort. Using a Crock Pot, you’ll create a dish that’s juicy, flavorful, and versatile enough to serve over rice, in wraps, or alongside your favorite veggies.
This Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken solves the eternal question: How do I make a delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen? With just a handful of pantry staples and your trusty slow cooker, you’ll have a meal that’s packed with flavor and sure to become a family favorite. In this post, we’ll walk you through the foolproof recipe, share expert tips for the best results, suggest creative serving ideas, and offer variations to suit every palate.
Why This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a Must-Make
This recipe is a game-changer for busy home cooks. Here’s why it stands out:
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Effortless Prep: Just 10 minutes to prep, and the slow cooker does the rest.
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Hands-Off Cooking: Set it and forget it—perfect for hectic schedules.
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Incredible Flavor: The combination of honey, garlic, and soy sauce creates a rich, sticky glaze that’s sweet, savory, and slightly tangy.
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Tender Chicken: Slow cooking ensures juicy, fall-apart chicken every time.
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Kid-Friendly: The mild, sweet flavors appeal to even the pickiest eaters.
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Versatile: Serve it over rice, in sandwiches, or as part of a meal prep bowl.
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Meal Prep Hero: Makes great leftovers and freezes beautifully.
Key Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy honey garlic chicken (serves 4-6):
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Chicken: 2 lbs (900g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs (recommended for juiciness and flavor) or chicken breasts (see tips for preventing dryness). Thighs are forgiving and stay tender even with longer cooking times.
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Honey: ½ cup (120ml) high-quality honey for natural sweetness. Opt for raw or pure honey for the best flavor.
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Soy Sauce: ⅓ cup (80ml) low-sodium soy sauce for savory depth. Use tamari for a gluten-free option.
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Garlic: 6-8 cloves (about 2-3 tbsp minced) for bold, aromatic flavor. Freshly minced is ideal, but jarred minced garlic works in a pinch.
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Ketchup: ¼ cup (60ml) for a touch of tang and rich color. Look for a low-sugar option if preferred.
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Rice Vinegar: 1 tbsp for balance and subtle acidity. Apple cider vinegar is a good substitute.
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Fresh Ginger: 1 tsp grated (optional) for a warm, zesty kick. Ground ginger (½ tsp) can be used if fresh isn’t available.
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Sesame Oil: 1 tsp (optional) for a nutty, aromatic finish.
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Red Pepper Flakes: ¼ tsp (optional) for a mild heat. Adjust to taste.
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Cornstarch: 2 tbsp mixed with 3 tbsp water to create a slurry for thickening the sauce.
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Garnish: Sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for color and crunch.
Substitution Tips:
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Swap honey with maple syrup for a different sweetness profile (note: this slightly alters the flavor).
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Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a soy-free version.
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If avoiding cornstarch, arrowroot powder works as a thickener.
Step-by-Step Recipe Instructions
Follow these simple steps for sticky honey garlic chicken that’s bursting with flavor:
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Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Trim excess fat if desired. Season lightly with salt and pepper (optional, as soy sauce adds saltiness).
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Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, ketchup, rice vinegar, ginger (if using), sesame oil (if using), and red pepper flakes (if using) until smooth.
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Assemble in the Slow Cooker: Place the chicken thighs in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated.
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Cook:
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Low Setting: Cook for 4-6 hours, until the chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
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High Setting: Cook for 2.5-4 hours, checking for doneness.
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Check the chicken at the lower end of the time range to avoid overcooking.
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Thicken the Sauce: About 15-30 minutes before serving, remove the chicken to a plate. Mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then stir it into the sauce in the slow cooker. Return the chicken to the pot, coat it with the sauce, and cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
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Shred or Slice: For shredded chicken, use two forks to pull the chicken apart in the slow cooker. For whole pieces, transfer to a cutting board and slice. Toss the chicken back in the sauce to coat.
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Serve & Garnish: Plate the chicken, spoon extra sauce over the top, and sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds.
Expert Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
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Don’t Overcook: Check the chicken’s internal temperature (165°F / 74°C) to ensure it stays juicy. Overcooking can lead to dry chicken, especially with breasts.
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Use Fresh Garlic & Ginger: Fresh ingredients elevate the flavor, but in a pinch, use 1 tsp garlic powder and ½ tsp ground ginger as substitutes.
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Perfect the Sauce: Stir the cornstarch slurry thoroughly to avoid lumps. If the sauce is too thin, add more slurry (1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water at a time). If too thick, dilute with a splash of water or broth.
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Add Veggies Strategically: For veggies like broccoli, bell peppers, or snow peas, add them during the last 30-60 minutes of cooking to keep them crisp-tender.
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Taste & Adjust: Before serving, taste the sauce and adjust with extra honey (for sweetness), soy sauce (for saltiness), or vinegar (for tang).
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Searing (Optional): Searing the chicken beforehand adds color but isn’t necessary for flavor in a slow cooker. If you prefer a caramelized look, sear thighs in a hot skillet with 1 tbsp oil for 2-3 minutes per side before adding to the slow cooker.
Flavor Variations & Customizations
Make this Crock Pot honey garlic chicken your own with these fun twists:
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Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken: Add 1-2 tsp sriracha or extra red pepper flakes for a fiery kick.
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Sweet & Sour Twist: Stir in 2 tbsp pineapple juice or apple cider vinegar for a tangy-sweet profile.
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Asian-Inspired: Add 1 tsp fish sauce or oyster sauce for umami depth.
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Vegetable Additions: Toss in broccoli, bell peppers, snow peas, or carrots during the last 30-60 minutes of cooking.
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Gluten-Free: Swap soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos.
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Different Proteins: Try boneless pork chops or meatballs for a delicious variation.
How to Serve Your Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
This versatile dish shines in many forms:
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Over Rice: Serve over steamed white, brown, or jasmine rice to soak up the sticky sauce.
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With Noodles: Toss with ramen, lo mein, or rice noodles for an Asian-inspired meal.
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As Lettuce Wraps: Spoon shredded chicken into lettuce cups for a low-carb option.
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In Sandwiches or Sliders: Pile onto buns with coleslaw for a fun twist.
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On Salads: Top a bed of greens with sliced chicken and a drizzle of sauce.
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With Veggies: Pair with roasted broccoli, zucchini, or steamed green beans.
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Meal Prep Bowls: Combine with rice, roasted veggies, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for easy lunches.
Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions
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Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
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Freezing: Place cooled chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
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Reheating: Warm in the microwave (1-2 minutes, stirring halfway) or on the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
Nutritional Information (Approximate)
Per serving (based on 6 servings):
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Calories: ~350 kcal
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Protein: 30g
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Fat: 10g
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Carbohydrates: 25g
Note: Nutritional values are estimates and vary based on ingredient brands and portion sizes.
AuthorCrockpot Chicken RecipesThis easy Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory Asian-inspired sauce. Simply set it and forget it for a delicious, hands-off weeknight meal that's perfect over rice!
Breakdown:
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Prep Time: 10 minutes (chopping garlic, mixing sauce, placing chicken in slow cooker)
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Cooking Time:
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Low Setting: 4–5 hours
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High Setting: 2–3 hours
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Optional Thickening Time: 10–15 minutes (if using cornstarch slurry)
Hands-Off Cooking:
Once prepped, the slow cooker does all the work, making this a great set-it-and-forget-it meal!
Would you like any modifications to speed up the process further? 😊
Instructions
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Prep the Chicken – Place chicken in the slow cooker. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
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Make the Sauce – In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, olive oil, garlic, oregano, and black pepper. Pour over the chicken.
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Cook – Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours, until chicken is tender and fully cooked.
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Thicken the Sauce (Optional) – If desired, mix cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Remove chicken, stir the slurry into the slow cooker, and cook on HIGH for 10–15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
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Serve – Shred or slice the chicken, then drizzle with sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Ingredients
Directions
Instructions
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Prep the Chicken – Place chicken in the slow cooker. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
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Make the Sauce – In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, olive oil, garlic, oregano, and black pepper. Pour over the chicken.
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Cook – Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours, until chicken is tender and fully cooked.
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Thicken the Sauce (Optional) – If desired, mix cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Remove chicken, stir the slurry into the slow cooker, and cook on HIGH for 10–15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
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Serve – Shred or slice the chicken, then drizzle with sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, but add 1-2 hours to the cooking time on LOW. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Thaw for best results to avoid uneven cooking.
How do I make the sauce thicker?
Use the cornstarch slurry as directed. If still too thin, add more slurry (1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water) and cook on HIGH for 10-15 minutes.
What if my sauce is too thick?
Stir in 1-2 tbsp water or chicken broth until the desired consistency is reached.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare the sauce and chicken up to a day ahead, store in the fridge, and cook when ready. Leftovers also reheat well.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, but breasts cook faster and can dry out. Check doneness at 3-4 hours on LOW or 2-3 hours on HIGH. Use a meat thermometer to confirm 165°F (74°C).
Is this recipe spicy?
Not unless you add red pepper flakes or sriracha. The base recipe is mild and kid-friendly.
How long does honey garlic chicken last in the fridge?
Up to 4 days in an airtight container.
Tried this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken? Let us know how it turned out in the comments! Did you make it spicy, add veggies, or try it with a different protein? Share your tips and tag us on social media with your delicious creations.