Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a delicious, easy-to-make dish with tender, juicy chicken and a sweet and savory sauce. It’s perfect for busy days when you want a comforting, flavorful meal with minimal effort. Here’s a simple recipe for you:
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for more flavor)
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional for extra flavor)
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening the sauce)
- 2 tbsp water (if using cornstarch)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or green onions (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Season the chicken breasts with a pinch of salt and pepper. Place them in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce (if using), and crushed red pepper flakes (if you like a little heat).
- Cook the Chicken:
- Pour the honey garlic sauce over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional):
- If you want a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl to create a slurry.
- About 30 minutes before the cooking time is up, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and stir the cornstarch mixture into the sauce. Return the chicken to the slow cooker and let it cook for the remaining time. The sauce will thicken as it cooks.
- Serve:
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks if desired, or serve the breasts whole.
- Spoon the sauce over the chicken, and garnish with fresh parsley or green onions and sesame seeds for an extra pop of flavor and texture.
- Serving Suggestions:
- Serve the honey garlic chicken with steamed rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables. It also pairs wonderfully with a side of green beans or broccoli.
Optional Variations:
- Add Veggies: You can throw some vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or carrots into the slow cooker with the chicken for added flavor and nutrition.
- Use Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs will give the dish a richer, more flavorful taste and remain juicy after slow cooking.
- Spicy Kick: Add a little sriracha or cayenne pepper to the sauce for an extra spicy kick.
This recipe is so simple, but the combination of honey and garlic makes the chicken incredibly flavorful. Plus, the slow cooker does all the work for you, making it a perfect meal for a busy day! Enjoy!
