Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Delicious Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs combine tender, juicy chicken with a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. This fuss-free slow cooker recipe delivers a flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth meal perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. Featuring simple ingredients and easy preparation, it’s kid-friendly, versatile, and guaranteed to satisfy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours on low or 2 to 3 hours on high
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with tamari substitution)
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 to 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (substitute tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced
Thickener
- 1 to 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water (for slurry)
Optional Garnishes
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, chicken broth, and minced garlic until well combined to create the sweet and savory sauce base.
- Arrange the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a single layer inside the slow cooker to ensure even cooking and thorough coating with sauce.
- Pour and Cook: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, making sure the thighs are well submerged. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until the chicken is tender and falls apart easily.
- Thicken the Sauce: About 30 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry. Stir this into the slow cooker to thicken the sauce into a glossy, sticky glaze that adheres to the chicken.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds over the cooked chicken just before serving for color, crunch, and extra flavor.
Notes
- Use bone-in chicken thighs for deeper flavor if preferred.
- Do not skip the thickening step to keep the sauce clinging perfectly to the chicken.
- Searing the chicken before slow cooking is optional for added caramelization.
- Adjust honey quantity to balance sweetness to your taste.
- Cooking on low heat preserves juiciness and tenderness best.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 4 oz chicken thigh with sauce)
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: honey garlic chicken, slow cooker chicken, easy dinner, crockpot chicken thighs, gluten free chicken recipe, sweet and savory chicken