Description
This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken recipe combines tender chicken thighs with a flavorful honey garlic sauce, cooked low and slow to perfection. The sauce is sweet, savory, and slightly tangy, thickened to coat every bite of shredded chicken. Perfect for an easy, hands-off dinner served over rice and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Thickening Slurry
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Garnish (optional)
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, low-sodium soy sauce, ketchup, olive oil, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes if using, ensuring the flavors are well combined.
- Combine chicken and sauce in slow cooker: Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs at the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, making sure each piece is well coated with the mixture.
- Cook the chicken: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
- Shred the chicken: Once cooked, carefully transfer the chicken thighs to a plate and shred them thoroughly using two forks.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir this slurry into the sauce left in the slow cooker. Return the shredded chicken to the cooker and stir well to coat the chicken evenly.
- Finish cooking: Cook the shredded chicken on high for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and cling to the chicken.
- Serve and garnish: Serve the honey garlic chicken over cooked rice, and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- You can substitute boneless chicken breasts for thighs, though thighs tend to stay juicier and more flavorful.
- Adjust the amount of garlic and crushed red pepper flakes according to your taste preference.
- This recipe pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or vegetables.
