A Sweet and Savory Slow Cooker Delight
Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken is a flavorful and effortless dish that combines tender, slow-cooked chicken with a rich, sweet, and savory honey garlic sauce. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights, meal prepping, or serving at gatherings. The slow cooker does all the work, infusing the chicken with a deep, caramelized garlic and honey glaze that pairs wonderfully with rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Preparation – Just toss the ingredients in the crockpot and let it cook.
- Rich and Flavorful – A perfect balance of sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and aromatic garlic.
- Versatile – Pairs well with rice, noodles, or fresh vegetables.
- Meal-Prep Friendly – Stores and reheats beautifully for easy leftovers.
- Family-Friendly – A universally loved dish with a mild yet flavorful sauce.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce (optional, for extra depth)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for spice)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening, optional)
- 2 tablespoons water (for slurry, if thickening sauce)
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, hoisin sauce (if using), garlic, ginger, sesame oil, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Set aside.
Step 2: Add Ingredients to the Crockpot
Place the chicken breasts or thighs in the crockpot in a single layer. Pour the honey garlic sauce over the chicken, ensuring it is evenly coated.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shreddable.
Step 4: Thicken the Sauce (Optional)
If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove about ½ cup of the cooking liquid. Whisk in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry back into the crockpot and cook on high for 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Step 5: Shred and Serve
Shred the chicken directly in the crockpot using two forks or serve whole. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
Step 6: Enjoy!
Serve over steamed rice, noodles, or with roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Recipe Variations
- Spicier Version – Add 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha or extra red pepper flakes for more heat.
- Tangy Twist – Stir in a tablespoon of rice vinegar or lime juice for extra brightness.
- Vegetable Addition – Add bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli during the last hour of cooking.
- Gluten-Free Option – Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
- Crispy Finish – Broil the shredded chicken for 5 minutes after slow-cooking for crispy edges.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4-6
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes (low) or 2 hours 10 minutes (high)
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Warm in a saucepan over low heat or microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make this in an Instant Pot?
Use the “Pressure Cook” setting on high for 10 minutes, followed by a quick release. If thickening the sauce, use the “Sauté” function to stir in the cornstarch slurry.
Can I use bone-in chicken?
Yes, but increase the cook time to 5-6 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. Remove the bones before shredding.
What sides pair best with honey garlic chicken?
Rice, quinoa, noodles, stir-fried veggies, or even mashed potatoes complement the sweet and savory sauce.
Is this dish kid-friendly?
Absolutely! It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor that kids typically enjoy. Reduce red pepper flakes for less spice.
Can I prep this ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the ingredients in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before cooking.
How do I prevent the chicken from drying out?
Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier result, and avoid overcooking.
Can I make this without honey?
You can substitute maple syrup or brown sugar for a similar sweet flavor.
How do I make this recipe lower in sodium?
Use low-sodium soy sauce, and reduce or omit hoisin sauce.
Can I cook this on the stovetop?
Yes! Simmer the chicken and sauce in a covered skillet over medium-low heat for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
What’s the best way to thicken the sauce?
A cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water) stirred in at the end thickens the sauce beautifully.
Conclusion
Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken is an easy, delicious, and versatile dish perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a hands-off weeknight dinner, meal prep inspiration, or a dish to impress guests, this sweet and savory recipe will become a household favorite. Try it with different variations and enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth goodness!
Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes (low) or 2 hours 10 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken is a sweet and savory slow cooker dish featuring tender chicken infused with a rich honey garlic glaze. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or gatherings, this effortless recipe pairs well with rice, noodles, or vegetables.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional, for extra depth)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 2 tbsp water (for slurry, if thickening sauce)
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, hoisin sauce (if using), garlic, ginger, sesame oil, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Set aside.
- Add Ingredients to Crockpot: Place chicken in a single layer in the crockpot. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, ensuring even coating.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shredded.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): Remove 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid. Whisk cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry back into the crockpot and cook on high for 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Shred and Serve: Shred chicken directly in the crockpot or serve whole. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
- Enjoy! Serve over rice, noodles, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Spicier Version: Add 1-2 tsp sriracha or extra red pepper flakes.
- Tangy Twist: Stir in 1 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice.
- Vegetable Addition: Add bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli in the last hour of cooking.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
- Crispy Finish: Broil shredded chicken for 5 minutes after slow cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: asian-american
Keywords: Crockpot honey garlic chicken, slow cooker chicken, honey garlic sauce, easy meal prep, family-friendly chicken recipe.
