Why You’ll Love Easiest Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
- Incredibly easy to prepare with just a few minutes of prep work.
- Uses simple pantry ingredients you may already have on hand.
- The slow cooker does most of the work for you.
- The chicken becomes tender, juicy, and easy to shred.
- Sweet honey and savory soy sauce create an irresistible flavor combination.
- Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or family dinners.
- Pairs well with rice, vegetables, or noodles.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully for quick lunches and dinners.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 6 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup Holland House White Cooking Wine
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, fat trimmed
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons water
- Rice, for serving
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Green onions, for garnish
Directions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, white cooking wine, ground ginger, and water until well combined.
- Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker and pour the sauce mixture over the top.
- Cover and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a plate. Cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 3 tablespoons of water until smooth.
- Stir the cornstarch mixture into the cooking liquid in the slow cooker.
- Transfer the sauce to a small saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly for 3 to 5 minutes, until thickened.
- Return the chicken to the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.
- Pour the thickened sauce over the shredded chicken and stir until evenly coated.
- Allow the chicken to warm through for a few minutes if needed.
- Serve over rice and garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Servings and timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Sauce Thickening Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 3 hours
Variations
- Add red pepper flakes or sriracha for a spicy kick.
- Substitute chicken breasts for chicken thighs if preferred, though thighs tend to stay juicier.
- Stir in broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers near the end of cooking for added vegetables.
- Use fresh grated ginger instead of ground ginger for a brighter flavor.
- Replace the cooking wine with chicken broth for an alcohol-free version.
- Serve over cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option.
- Add pineapple chunks for a sweet tropical twist.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
For longer storage, place cooled chicken in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To reheat on the stovetop, warm the chicken and sauce over medium-low heat until heated through.
To reheat in the microwave, place a serving in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring occasionally.
If the sauce thickens too much during storage, add a splash of water or chicken broth while reheating.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs?
Yes. Chicken breasts work well, though they may be slightly less juicy than chicken thighs.
How do I know when the chicken is done?
The chicken should be tender and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Can I cook this on high instead of low?
Yes. Cooking on high typically takes about 1½ to 2 hours, depending on your slow cooker.
Is this recipe very sweet?
It has a balanced sweet-and-savory flavor. If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the honey slightly.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely. It stores and reheats very well, making it excellent for meal prep.
What can I serve with honey garlic chicken?
Rice, noodles, steamed vegetables, roasted broccoli, or stir-fried vegetables are all great choices.
Can I skip the cooking wine?
Yes. Chicken broth or additional water can be substituted.
Why do I need to thicken the sauce separately?
Thickening the sauce creates a rich glaze that coats the shredded chicken beautifully.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Can I keep the chicken whole instead of shredding it?
Certainly. You can leave the chicken thighs whole and spoon the thickened sauce over them before serving.
Conclusion
This Easiest Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. The combination of tender chicken, aromatic garlic, sweet honey, and savory soy sauce creates a comforting meal the whole family will enjoy. Whether you serve it for a busy weeknight dinner or prepare it ahead for easy meals throughout the week, this recipe is sure to become a regular favorite in your kitchen.
Easiest Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Tender slow cooker honey garlic chicken thighs are cooked in a sweet and savory garlic sauce, then shredded and coated in a thickened glaze. Perfect served over rice with sesame seeds and green onions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup honey
- 6 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup Holland House White Cooking Wine
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 and 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, fat trimmed
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp water
- Rice, for serving
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, garlic, soy sauce, cooking wine, ground ginger, and 1/4 cup water.
- Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker and pour the sauce over them. Cook on low for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and keep warm.
- Whisk the cornstarch and 3 tablespoons water together until smooth. Stir into the cooking liquid.
- Pour the sauce into a saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, for 3 to 5 minutes until thickened.
- Return the chicken to the slow cooker and shred with two forks.
- Pour the thickened sauce over the chicken and stir to coat evenly. Warm briefly if needed.
- Serve over rice and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes
- Check the chicken starting at the 2-hour mark to avoid overcooking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
- Serve with steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts may be substituted, but cooking time may vary.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 720 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 72 g
- Cholesterol: 235 mg
