Slow-Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

When fall and winter roll around, I’m always on the lookout for new slow-cooker recipes to add to my repertoire. The one thing I love more than using my slow cooker to make set-it-and-forget-it meals is slow-cooker recipes that mainly rely on pantry staples. No need to run to the store for some obscure ingredient? Sign me up!

This slow-cooker honey garlic chicken recipe is one of those. It requires little prep time and uses items such as honey, soy sauce and rice wine vinegar that I already have in my kitchen pantry, making this recipe an excellent option for a weeknight dinner that I know the whole family will love.

Ingredients for Slow-Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

• Chicken thighs: This recipe calls for 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, a good choice for cooking honey garlic chicken in a slow cooker. You can also make this recipe with chicken breasts if you prefer.
• Salt and pepper: The chicken is seasoned generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Onion: A yellow or white onion is the best type of onion for this recipe.
• Honey: Honey gives the sauce its sticky texture and sweet flavor. Use your favorite honey or try one of our Test Kitchen’s favorite honey brands.
• Soy sauce: This fermented sauce adds an umami, or savory, flavor to the honey garlic sauce. Use a low-sodium variety of your favorite soy sauce brand. For a gluten-free chicken recipe, replace the soy sauce with tamari sauce.
• Ketchup: Ketchup is an ingredient you likely have on hand already, but you can substitute tomato paste if preferred.
• Rice wine vinegar: Vinegar counteracts the sweetness of the sauce. With its sweeter and less acidic flavor profile, apple cider vinegar is the best type of vinegar to use as a substitute for rice wine vinegar. You could also use white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar if necessary.
• Garlic: Minced garlic gives the sauce its signature pungent flavor. Use fresh minced garlic for the best flavor, although store-bought minced garlic will also work.
• Crushed red pepper flakes: A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes adds a hint of spicy heat to the sauce.
• Cornstarch: Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent for the sauce after the chicken is cooked.
• Garnish: Each serving is garnished with thinly sliced green onions and a sprinkling of white sesame seeds.
• Cooked rice: Serve the chicken on top of cooked rice. You can use your favorite type of rice: jasmine, basmati or plain white rice are all excellent options.

Directions

Step 1: Make the sauce

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the diced onion, honey, soy sauce, ketchup, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic and red pepper flakes.

Step 2: Slow-cook the chicken

Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and place them in the slow cooker. Season both sides of the meat with salt and pepper. Add the honey garlic mixture and gently stir to combine. Cover and cook on high for two to three hours or on low for four to five hours.

After the chicken is cooked (the internal temperature should be 165°F), remove it from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Place the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker.

In a small bowl or measuring cup, carefully add a small amount of the cooking liquid to the cornstarch and stir to make a slurry. Pour the cornstarch mixture into the slow cooker and stir to combine. Cook on the high setting for 15 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.

Step 3: Serve over rice

Serve the chicken over rice. Garnish the chicken with sesame seeds and sliced green onion.

Slow-Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Variations

• Make it in the oven: For a quicker version of this recipe, try our oven-baked honey garlic chicken recipe.
• Turn up the heat: For a spicier version of this recipe, replace the regular honey with hot honey. You can also increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes and sprinkle in some cayenne pepper or paprika.
• Add more veggies: Enhance the flavor and texture of the sauce by adding chopped bell peppers. You could also stir in a cup of frozen peas at the end of the cooking period, stirring until warmed through, for a pop of color and added flavor.

How to Store Slow-Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Leftover chicken should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Portion with leftover rice for individual servings.

How long does slow-cooker honey garlic chicken last?

Leftover honey garlic chicken is best eaten within three or four days.

Can you freeze honey garlic chicken?

Yes! This slow-cooker honey garlic chicken is an excellent make-ahead freezer meal. Transfer the cooled chicken and sauce to a freezer-safe container, seal and store for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How should you reheat honey garlic chicken?

The easiest way to reheat honey garlic chicken is in the microwave. Simply transfer to a microwave-safe dish, cover, and microwave for about a minute or until warmed through. You can also reheat leftovers in a pan on the stovetop. Add a splash of water or chicken broth if necessary to thin out the sauce, and reheat over medium-high heat until warmed through.

Slow-Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Tips

What can you serve with slow-cooker honey garlic chicken?

Serve slow-cooker honey garlic chicken with a tasty vegetable side dish such as sesame-soy broccoli florets, Asian green beans or ginger-sesame steamed vegetable salad. Or, pair the chicken with a complementary salad such as our glass noodle salad or Thai salad with peanut dressing.