Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken recipe features tender, flavorful chicken thighs simmered in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. With minimal prep and slow cooker convenience, it's a perfect weeknight meal served over rice or your favorite grain, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh green onions for a delightful finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Low Sodium
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
Sauce
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons chili paste (such as sambal oelek, sriracha, or hot sauce of choice)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
To Serve
- Prepared brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Chopped green onion
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken and sauce: Place the chicken at the bottom of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. In a medium mixing bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, tomato paste, chili paste, minced garlic, and rice vinegar until well combined. Pour this sauce mixture evenly over the chicken.
- Slow cook the chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If possible, flip the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure even coating and flavor infusion, though this is optional.
- Thicken the sauce in the slow cooker: Remove the cooked chicken to a plate and let it cool slightly. Whisk the cornstarch into the slow cooker’s cooking liquid thoroughly. Cover and cook on HIGH for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce begins to thicken. For a thicker sauce, continue cooking up to 30 minutes or proceed to the stovetop thickening method.
- Stovetop sauce thickening (optional): For quicker or thicker sauce, transfer the cornstarch-mixed cooking liquid to a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat on the stovetop, stirring frequently, for 5 to 10 minutes until it thickens. Note: Only transfer back to the slow cooker if it is stovetop-safe; otherwise, use separate cookware.
- Shred and combine the chicken: Using two forks or fingers (when cool enough), shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat it evenly with the thickened sauce. If the sauce was thickened on the stove, add it back to the slow cooker before mixing.
- Serve: Spoon the honey garlic chicken over prepared brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice. Garnish generously with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions for a fresh, crunchy finish. Enjoy your delicious, savory meal!
Notes
- Chicken breasts can be used as a leaner alternative to thighs, but cooking time may vary slightly.
- Flipping the chicken halfway through slow cooking is optional but recommended for even flavor distribution.
- Adjust chili paste amount depending on your preferred spice level.
- If your slow cooker insert is stovetop-safe, you can heat the sauce directly in it to thicken; otherwise, use a separate saucepan.
- This recipe pairs well with various grains such as white rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
