Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a sweet, savory, and incredibly easy dish that’s perfect for busy days. This flavorful recipe combines tender chicken with a rich honey garlic sauce, creating a comforting meal that pairs beautifully with rice or vegetables.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is simple, delicious, and family-friendly. The balance of sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and garlic creates an irresistible flavor. It requires minimal prep, and the slow cooker does all the work, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons chili paste (sambal oelek or sriracha)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Cooked brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Place the chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, tomato paste, chili paste, garlic, and rice vinegar.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until fully cooked.
- Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Whisk cornstarch into the cooking liquid.
- Cook on high for 15–30 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Shred the chicken using two forks.
- Return the chicken to the sauce and mix well.
This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is best served over rice and topped with sesame seeds and green onions.
Tips & Tricks
- Use chicken thighs for juicier results
- Adjust chili paste for desired spice level
- Add steamed broccoli or carrots for a complete meal
- For a thicker sauce, simmer longer or use extra cornstarch
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control saltiness
Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4–5 hours (low) / 2–3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
- Difficulty: Easy
- Diet: Halal-friendly
Notes
- Serve with rice, noodles, or quinoa
- You can substitute maple syrup for honey if desired
- Add red pepper flakes for extra heat
Nutrition (Approximate per serving)
- Calories: 390
- Protein: 32g
- Carbs: 28g
- Fat: 14g
FAQ
Can I use frozen chicken?
It’s best to thaw chicken first for even cooking and safety.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
How do I make the sauce thicker?
Add more cornstarch or cook the sauce longer uncovered.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, but thighs are more tender and flavorful.
What vegetables go well with this dish?
Broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, and snap peas are great options.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months
- Reheat: Warm gently and add a splash of water if needed
Similar Recipes
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons chili paste sambal oelek or sriracha
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Cooked brown rice quinoa, or cauliflower rice
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Place the chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, tomato paste, chili paste, garlic, and rice vinegar.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until fully cooked.
- Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Whisk cornstarch into the cooking liquid.
- Cook on high for 15–30 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Shred the chicken using two forks.
- Return the chicken to the sauce and mix well.
- This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is best served over rice and topped with sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes
- Serve with rice, noodles, or quinoa
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors with minimal effort. It’s a reliable, crowd-pleasing recipe that delivers tender chicken and a rich sauce every time.