Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken – An Easy Weeknight Dinner Favorite

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Honey Garlic Chicken is a favorite for good reason — it’s sweet, savory, and incredibly satisfying. Made in the slow cooker, this version is especially great for days when you want something homemade without hovering over the stove.

The chicken turns tender and juicy as it simmers in a garlicky honey sauce that’s hard to resist.

There was some trial with balancing the sauce — a little too sweet the first go, a little too salty the next.

But once the right ratio hit, it was clear this dish would be going on repeat. It’s now a comfort meal staple, perfect served over rice or noodles with a side of steamed veggies.


If you love this crockpot recipe, be sure to check out some of my other favorite cozy recipes like my crockpot pulled pork sandwiches, comforting chicken cacciatore, or these quick and veggie side dish ideas.

Whether you’re in the mood for something hearty, light, or crowd-pleasing, there’s something here for everyone!

Ingredients:

  • 2–3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • Chopped green onions and sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Add to Crockpot: Place the chicken in the crockpot in a single layer.
  2. Make the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, sesame oil, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
  3. Cook: Pour the sauce over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until chicken is cooked through and tender.
  4. Thicken the Sauce: In the last 30 minutes of cooking, mix cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl. Stir into the slow cooker. Cover and cook for the remaining time to allow the sauce to thicken.
  5. Serve: Serve the chicken and sauce over rice or noodles. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes:

  • Serves 4–6 people, making it great for a weeknight meal or casual dinner.
  • Chicken thighs are recommended for best flavor and tenderness, but breasts work too.
  • Adjust sweetness by reducing honey slightly if you prefer a more savory sauce.
  • Leftovers reheat well and taste even better the next day.

Yield: 4-6

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken – An Easy Weeknight Dinner Favorite

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken – An Easy Weeknight Dinner Favorite

Honey Garlic Chicken is a favorite for good reason — it’s sweet, savory, and incredibly satisfying.

Made in the slow cooker, this version is especially great for days when you want something homemade without hovering over the stove.

The chicken turns tender and juicy as it simmers in a garlicky honey sauce that’s hard to resist.

There was some trial with balancing the sauce — a little too sweet the first go, a little too salty the next. But once the right ratio hit, it was clear this dish would be going on repeat.

It’s now a comfort meal staple, perfect served over rice or noodles with a side of steamed veggies.

Ingredients

  • 2–3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • Chopped green onions and sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions

    Add to Crockpot:
    Place the chicken in the crockpot in a single layer.

    Make the Sauce:
    In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, sesame oil, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.

    Cook:
    Pour the sauce over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until chicken is cooked through and tender.

    Thicken the Sauce:
    In the last 30 minutes of cooking, mix cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl. Stir into the slow cooker. Cover and cook for the remaining time to allow the sauce to thicken.

    Serve:
    Serve the chicken and sauce over rice or noodles. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

Serves 4–6 people, making it great for a weeknight meal or casual dinner.

Chicken thighs are recommended for best flavor and tenderness, but breasts work too.

Adjust sweetness by reducing honey slightly if you prefer a more savory sauce.

Leftovers reheat well and taste even better the next day.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 4533Total Fat: 209gSaturated Fat: 64gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 145gCholesterol: 3182mgSodium: 5904mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 2gSugar: 38gProtein: 637g

Wrapping Up Honey Garlic Chicken

This Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken is everything a weeknight dinner should be — simple, flavorful, and family-friendly.

With tender chicken coated in a sticky-sweet garlic sauce, it’s comforting and versatile. Whether you’re meal prepping or feeding a table of hungry guests, this recipe checks all the boxes for a reliable and delicious go-to.

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