Savor the sweet and savory aroma of this slow cooker honey garlic chicken, a beautiful staple for your collection of instant pot recipes with garlic and instapot garlic chicken. These garlic chicken recipes instant pot and instapot honey garlic chicken recipes are perfect for preparing instant pot honey chicken thighs or a tender instant pot honey garlic chicken breast. From honey garlic chicken instapot to honey garlic chicken thighs instant pot, this honey garlic chicken instant pot dish is a lovely weeknight choice, so take a look.
why make this recipe
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a fantastic dish for busy days. It’s easy to prepare, and the slow cooker does most of the work for you. The sweet and savory sauce makes the chicken incredibly flavorful. Plus, it’s versatile and can be served over rice, noodles, or veggies. If you’re looking for a quick and satisfying meal, this is the perfect choice.
how to make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger (optional)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
For Thickening (optional):
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Directions:
- Lightly season the chicken thighs or breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides.
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, ginger, vinegar, and red pepper flakes.
- Place the chicken in the slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the chicken, ensuring it’s well coated.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- (Optional) For a thicker sauce, remove the chicken and transfer the sauce to a saucepan. Mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then stir it into the sauce. Simmer over medium heat until it thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Return the chicken to the slow cooker or pour the thickened sauce over the chicken. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
how to serve Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Serve the Honey Garlic Chicken over steamed rice, noodles, or sautéed vegetables. You can also add a side salad for a fresh touch. Garnishing with sesame seeds and chopped green onions adds a nice flavor and a pop of color to the dish.
how to store Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for 3-4 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Just make sure to store it in a freezer-safe container.
tips to make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
- For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken in the sauce overnight before cooking.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add extra red pepper flakes or even a dash of hot sauce.
- You can use chicken breasts or thighs depending on your preference, but thighs tend to stay more tender and juicy.
variation
You can easily customize this recipe by adding vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas to the slow cooker for a one-pot meal. You can also swap the honey for maple syrup for a different flavor.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen chicken in this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but the cooking time may need to be increased by an hour or so to ensure it cooks all the way through.
2. How can I make this dish healthier?
To make it healthier, use less honey and ketchup, or opt for a sugar-free version. You can also serve it with a side of steamed vegetables instead of rice.
3. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, you can double the recipe. Just ensure your slow cooker is large enough to hold all the ingredients and adjust the cooking time if needed.
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
- Total Time: 250 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
A simple, flavorful slow cooker dish featuring chicken cooked in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger (optional)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening, optional)
- 2 tablespoons water (for thickening, optional)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Chopped green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Lightly season the chicken thighs or breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides.
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, ginger, vinegar, and red pepper flakes.
- Place the chicken in the slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the chicken, ensuring it’s well coated.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- (Optional) For a thicker sauce, remove the chicken and transfer the sauce to a saucepan. Mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then stir it into the sauce. Simmer over medium heat until it thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Return the chicken to the slow cooker or pour the thickened sauce over the chicken. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes
For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken overnight in the sauce. You can customize the dish by adding vegetables or swapping honey for maple syrup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg