Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken – The Easiest Dinner You’ll Make This Week
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Tender, juicy, and packed with flavor—this crockpot honey garlic chicken practically cooks itself, leaving you more time to relax while your family devours every bite!
Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipe
This crockpot honey garlic boneless chicken thighs recipe is a total game-changer for busy weeknights or easy weekend dinners!
Imagine tender, juicy chicken infused with sweet honey, zesty citrus, savory garlic, and a hint of brown sugar—all slow-cooked to perfection. The meat is so tender it practically melts in your mouth, and the sauce is rich, sticky, and full of flavor.
You can even turn it into shredded chicken for tacos, sandwiches, or a quick salad topper—so versatile!
Plus, it’s ridiculously easy to make. Just prep the ingredients, layer everything in your crockpot, and let it work its magic while you focus on other things. A sprinkle of cilantro or a pinch of red chili flakes really takes it over the top!
Ingredients Needed
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs: Choose thighs for the juiciest, most tender chicken. Skin-on works too, especially if you plan to pan-sear for extra flavor.
- Olive oil: Helps the spices stick to the chicken and adds a subtle richness. Use extra virgin for the best flavor.
- Brown sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the chicken caramelize. Light or dark brown sugar both work, though dark will deepen the flavor.
- Honey: Brings a natural sweetness and glossy finish to the sauce. Feel free to adjust for taste.
- Soy sauce: Adds savory depth and balances the sweetness. Low-sodium options work well if you’re watching your salt intake.
- Orange or mandarin juice: Freshly squeezed is best for a bright, citrusy flavor. Bottled juice works in a pinch.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the dish. Adjust to taste depending on the soy sauce.
- Paprika: Adds mild warmth and a lovely color. Smoked paprika can give a slightly smoky twist.
- Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper works best for a subtle kick.
- Black garlic pepper: Adds a savory umami flavor that complements the honey and soy sauce. Optional but highly recommended.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce into a glossy, smooth coating. Always make a slurry first to prevent clumping.
- Chicken broth: Keeps the chicken moist and adds extra savory flavor. Low-sodium is ideal.
- Shallots: Add sweetness and depth to the sauce. Slice or roughly chop for slow cooking.
- Garlic (sliced or crushed): A key flavor that infuses the chicken beautifully. Adjust quantity to taste.
- Cilantro (optional garnish): Adds freshness and color when serving.
- Red chili flakes (optional): For a little heat if you like a touch of spice.
Tools & Equipment
- 6qt or larger crockpot
- Skillet (if pan-searing first)
How to Make Crockpot Honey Garlic Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Prep the chicken: Pat dry and brush with olive oil.
- Season: Combine the spices and brown sugar, then rub them onto all sides of the chicken.
- Optional sear: Heat a skillet, then brown garlic and shallots, and sear the chicken for 2 minutes per side.
- Layer in crockpot: Add chicken, garlic, and shallots to the slow cooker.
- Prepare the sauce: Whisk the orange juice with cornstarch to make a slurry, then pour it over the chicken. Add soy sauce, honey, and chicken broth.
- Cook: High for 3–4 hours or low for 6–8 hours.
- Serve: Whole or shredded, with sauce spooned over the top.
Serving Suggestions
These honey garlic chicken thighs are incredibly versatile and pair beautifully with a variety of sides. Serve them over a bed of fluffy rice or quinoa to soak up the rich, sticky sauce, or enjoy alongside steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a lighter meal.
For a burst of color and flavor, sprinkle with fresh cilantro or a pinch of red chili flakes just before serving. You can also turn the leftovers into shredded chicken for tacos, sandwiches, or even a hearty chicken salad—perfect for quick lunches or easy weeknight dinners.
Proper Storage
- Counter: Not recommended for more than 2 hours after cooking.
- Fridge: Airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Cooked, shredded chicken can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Tips & Tricks
- Cornstarch slurry: Mix cornstarch with cold liquid to prevent clumps and ensure a smooth sauce.
- Pan-searing: Optional but recommended for extra flavor; mandatory if using skin-on chicken.
- Shredded chicken: Simply pull apart with a fork for sandwiches, tacos, or salads.
Variations
- Swap chicken thighs for chicken breasts for a leaner option.
- Increase cornstarch for a thicker sauce.
- Add vegetables such as asparagus, corn, brussels sprouts, or bell peppers in the last 20 minutes of cooking.
What is a cornstarch slurry? Have you ever heard of a cornstarch slurry? It’s a game-changing hack I learned recently. When you mix cornstarch into your recipe, it’s likely to clump and become chunky.
That’s why I made a cornstarch slurry for these crockpot honey garlic chicken thighs. It is essentially a mixture of a smaller amount of cold liquid with cornstarch. The proper ratio is typically 2 parts cold liquid and 1 part cornstarch. Add the slurry slowly to your main recipe.
Do bone-in chicken thighs take longer to cook? Yes, bone-in chicken thighs take longer to cook than boneless. That’s because the bone changes the way heat is distributed. This is because the bone is very dense, so it takes longer to heat up.
There’s something magical about this honey garlic chicken; the way the tender, juicy meat soaks up the sweet, sticky sauce is pure comfort on a plate. It’s effortless to make in the slow cooker, giving you a delicious, family-friendly dinner with minimal prep.
Serve it over rice, alongside veggies, or shred it for tacos, sandwiches, or salads; the options are endless!
Crockpot Honey Garlic Boneless Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- Juice of ½ an orange or 1 mandarin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp black garlic pepper
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup chopped shallots
- 3 cloves garlic – sliced or crushed
- Cilantro for garnish – optimal
- Red chili flakes – optional
Equipment
- 6qt or larger crockpot
Instructions
- Combine the spices and brown sugar and whisk them
- Pat the chicken dry then brush with some oil
- Rub the spices on all sides of the chicken
- If you want to pan sear the chicken first, heat a skillet to medium high, drizzle some of the oil, brown the garlic and shallots, then sear on either side for 2 minutes
- Add the shallots, garlic, and chicken into the crockpot
- Combine the juice and cornstarch (aka a cornstarch slurry) and whisk until combined then pour over the chicken
- Add the soy sauce, honey, and broth as well
- Turn the crockpot on high and cook for 3-4 hours or low and cook for 6-8 hours
- Serve whole or make shredded chicken!
Last Step: Please leave a star ★★★★★ rating and a comment below to let me know what you thought!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, is intended to serve as an estimate only, and is provided for informational purposes. The accuracy of nutritional information is not guaranteed.
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