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Slow cooker honey garlic chicken with sticky sauce served over rice.
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Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

The easiest Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken you'll ever make! With a 5-ingredient sauce and minimal prep, this recipe delivers fall-apart tender chicken in a rich, sticky, sweet, and savory glaze. A perfect set-it-and-forget-it family dinner.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time5 hours
Total Time5 hours 10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Keyword: 5 ingredient honey garlic sauce, crockpot honey garlic chicken, easy honey garlic chicken, slow cooker chicken recipes, slow cooker honey garlic chicken, sticky honey garlic chicken
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 320kcal
Author: Angela

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker (Crockpot)
  • Small Saucepan
  • Whisk

Ingredients

  • 2-3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp minced ginger (optional)
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp cold water

Instructions

  • Place chicken thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, and ginger. Pour over the chicken.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until chicken is tender and shreds easily.
  • Remove chicken. Pour sauce into a saucepan. Mix cornstarch and water into a slurry, whisk into sauce, and simmer for 2-3 mins until thickened.
  • Return chicken to slow cooker, pour thickened glaze over top, and toss to coat. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

Notes

Pro Tips: For the juiciest results, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts. Low-sodium soy sauce is highly recommended to control the salt level. Don't skip the step of thickening the sauce with a cornstarch slurry after cooking—this transforms it into a glossy, restaurant-style glaze. For a complete meal, add hardy vegetables like carrots or bell peppers during the last hour of cooking. This dish freezes and reheats beautifully, making it ideal for meal prep.