Name: Easy, Healthy Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 255 min
Total time: 270 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts; ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce; ⅓ 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)

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Discover a truly effortless weeknight dinner with this incredible slow cooker honey garlic chicken. It brings those sweet, savory, and sticky takeout flavors right to your kitchen, all with minimal prep and maximum taste. This recipe is perfect for busy schedules, allowing you to set it and forget it until dinnertime.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Minimal Prep, Max Flavor: Enjoy the ultimate dump-and-go convenience. Simply combine ingredients and let your slow cooker do all the work for this delicious slow cooker honey garlic chicken.
Irresistible Sauce: The sticky, sweet, savory, and tangy sauce is truly addictive. It perfectly coats every piece of tender chicken.
Healthier Takeout Alternative: Make a wholesome meal at home, knowing exactly what goes into it. This version is far better than ordering out.
Versatile Meal: This dish works wonderfully for a hearty family dinner or for straightforward meal prep throughout the week.
Crowd-Pleaser: Both adults and kids absolutely adore the flavorful balance of this recipe. Everyone will ask for seconds!

Ingredients for Honey Garlic Chicken

You only need a few simple pantry staples to create this fantastic slow cooker honey garlic chicken. Gather boneless, skinless chicken, soy sauce, honey, tomato paste, chili paste, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and cornstarch. For serving, prepare brown rice, toasted sesame seeds, and chopped green onion.

Notes & Substitutions

Chicken: You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts depending on your preference. Thighs stay moister.
Soy Sauce: Opt for low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness. Use tamari for a gluten-free option.
Chili Paste: Sambal oelek, Sriracha, or any hot sauce of your choice works well here. Adjust the amount to your desired spice level.
Tomato Paste: Do not skip this ingredient! It adds crucial depth and umami to the sauce.
Rice Vinegar: This provides an essential tangy balance to the sweetness of the honey. It brightens the whole dish.
Cornstarch: This is key for achieving the desired thick, glossy sauce. You can adjust the amount for thickness.

Equipment You’ll Need

You need minimal equipment for this easy slow cooker honey garlic chicken. Gather a 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker, a medium mixing bowl, a whisk, measuring cups and spoons, and an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure safe cooking.

How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Making this delicious slow cooker honey garlic chicken is incredibly straightforward. You’ll love how simple it is to get a flavorful meal on the table.

First, place the 1 ½ pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts in the bottom of your 6-quart or larger slow cooker. In a medium mixing bowl or a very large measuring cup, whisk together the ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce, ⅓ cup honey, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 teaspoons chili paste, 4 cloves minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon rice vinegar until well combined.

Next, pour this savory sauce evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. If you are around, you can flip the chicken over once halfway through to coat both sides, but it will still be tasty if you don’t.

Carefully remove the cooked chicken to a plate and let it cool slightly. Whisk the 2 tablespoons cornstarch into the cooking liquid remaining in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly. If you prefer a particularly thick sauce, cook it for a full 30 minutes in the slow cooker, or use the stovetop method described below.

For quicker sauce thickening, you can reduce the sauce on the stove. After whisking in the cornstarch, transfer all the cooking liquid to a medium saucepan. Cook this liquid on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring often, until the sauce thickens to your liking, which usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. (If your slow cooker insert is stovetop safe, you can place it directly on the burner, but only do this if you are absolutely positive it’s safe to avoid cracking.)

Once the chicken is cool enough, use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces. If you used the stovetop method to thicken the sauce, add the thickened sauce back to the slow cooker now. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat all the chicken thoroughly with the luscious sauce. Serve your slow cooker honey garlic chicken immediately over prepared brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice, sprinkled generously with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

These tips ensure your slow cooker honey garlic chicken comes out perfectly every time. Avoid common pitfalls and enhance your cooking.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using Frozen Chicken: Always thaw chicken completely before placing it in the slow cooker for food safety and even cooking.
Overcooking Chicken: Chicken breasts cook faster than thighs. Use an instant-read thermometer and check for 165°F (74°C) internal temperature, removing it promptly to keep it moist.

The USDA recommends cooking all poultry to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to prevent foodborne illness.

Under-Thickening Sauce: Ensure you cook the sauce with cornstarch for adequate time. It needs heat to activate the thickening power.

Expert Tips for Success

Browning Chicken: For an even deeper flavor, quickly sear the chicken thighs in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker. This optional step adds delicious caramelized notes.
Adjust Spice Level: Easily customize the heat! Add more chili paste if you love a spicier kick, or reduce it for a milder version of this honey garlic chicken.
Stovetop Thickening: For a quicker, more controlled thickening process, transfer the sauce to a saucepan on the stove. It thickens much faster than in the slow cooker.

Serving Suggestions & Variations

Serve your delicious slow cooker honey garlic chicken over fluffy brown rice, quinoa, or lighter cauliflower rice. It pairs beautifully with steamed or sautéed broccoli, snap peas, or your favorite roasted vegetables for a complete meal. Garnish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and fresh green onions for extra flavor and visual appeal.

Variations

Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken: Boost the heat by increasing the amount of chili paste or adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies: Add sturdy vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or broccoli florets to the slow cooker during the last hour of cooking for a one-pot meal.
Gluten-Free: Easily make this recipe gluten-free by substituting the soy sauce with tamari and using arrowroot starch instead of cornstarch for thickening.
Paleo: For a paleo-friendly version, use coconut aminos in place of soy sauce and substitute cornstarch with arrowroot powder.

Storage, Reheating, and Freezing

This slow cooker honey garlic chicken makes excellent leftovers, perfect for meal prep.

Store: Place any leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container. Refrigerate it for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Gently reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce appears too thick. You can also microwave individual portions until warmed through.
Freeze: Allow the chicken to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe bags or airtight containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Nutrition Information

This homemade slow cooker honey garlic chicken offers a balanced meal.

Nutrition Name	Value
Serving	1 of 4, about 1 cup
Calories	329 kcal
Carbohydrates	32 g
Protein	35 g
Fat	7 g
Saturated Fat	2 g
Cholesterol	162 mg
Potassium	572 mg
Fiber	1 g
Sugar	25 g
Vitamin A	163 IU
Vitamin C	3 mg
Calcium	27 mg
Iron	2 mg

Note: This is an estimated nutritional breakdown per serving and can vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe? No, you should always thaw chicken completely before placing it in the slow cooker to ensure safe and even cooking.
Which is better, chicken breasts or thighs? Both work well for this slow cooker honey garlic chicken. Thighs tend to stay juicier, while breasts might require a slightly shorter cooking time.

Honey, a natural humectant, offers unique benefits in cooking, such as enhancing browning and helping foods retain moisture.

Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time? Yes, you can whisk the sauce ingredients together and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
How do I make the sauce thicker if it’s too thin? Continue simmering the sauce with the cornstarch mixture, either in the slow cooker or on the stovetop, until it reaches your desired thickness.
Is this recipe spicy? The recipe is mildly spicy as written, but you can easily adjust the heat by adding more or less chili paste.

Conclusion

This slow cooker honey garlic chicken recipe delivers an incredibly easy and delicious meal that effortlessly fits into any busy schedule. With minimal hands-on time, you get tender chicken smothered in a sticky, sweet, and savory sauce, making it a homemade takeout favorite. It’s truly a versatile and crowd-pleasing dish that simplifies weeknight dinners. We hope you try this fantastic recipe soon! If you do, please share your thoughts and rate it to help other home cooks discover this simple joy.