There’s something truly magical about coming home to the aroma of Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken filling your kitchen! This dish transforms simple, everyday ingredients into a fantastically flavorful meal with barely any effort. Each tender piece of chicken soaks up the sticky, garlicky sauce, making every bite pure comfort. If you’re after a fuss-free dinner that feels like a warm hug, this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a must-try.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this dish is in its simplicity! Just a handful of pantry staples come together to create a sweet, savory, and utterly addicting sauce, while the chicken turns melt-in-your-mouth tender. These ingredients play key roles in building flavor, juiciness, and that irresistible glossy finish.
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts absorb the sauce beautifully and shred perfectly after slow cooking.
- Honey: Pure honey adds a natural sweetness and sticky texture to the sauce, balancing the saltiness of the soy.
- Soy Sauce: A splash of soy sauce brings depth and umami, tying the flavors together without being overpowering.
- Ketchup: Ketchup gives a subtle tang and bright, glossy color to the sauce.
- Garlic (minced): Fresh minced garlic packs each bite with aromatic, punchy flavor.
- Cornstarch + Water (Slurry): This quick slurry thickens the sauce to just the right consistency for coating the shredded chicken.
How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Step 1: Arrange the Chicken
Start by placing the chicken breasts in an even layer at the bottom of your slow cooker. This ensures that every piece cooks evenly and absorbs all the flavors from the sauce as it simmers.
Step 2: Add the Sauce Ingredients
Pour the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, and minced garlic right over the chicken. There’s no need to pre-mix them—everything will meld together as it cooks, releasing mouthwatering aromas throughout your kitchen.
Step 3: Slow Cook to Tender Perfection
Cover your slow cooker and set it to Low for 6 hours or High for 3 hours, depending on your schedule. The chicken will become incredibly tender, practically falling apart at the touch of a fork by the end of cooking time.
Step 4: Shred the Chicken
Once finished, carefully remove the chicken breasts, place them on a platter, and shred them using two forks. The wonderfully tender meat will pull apart easily, creating perfect little shreds for soaking up every bit of sauce.
Step 5: Thicken the Sauce
While the chicken is out, stir the cornstarch and water together to make a slurry, then whisk it into the sauce left in the slow cooker. Let it cook for a few minutes on High until the sauce thickens to a gorgeous, glossy finish.
Step 6: Coat and Serve
Return the shredded chicken to the thickened sauce, stirring so each tasty strand is coated in sticky honey garlic goodness. Let it all mingle for a few more minutes before serving—your Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is ready to wow!
How to Serve Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Garnishes
For a pop of color and extra flavor, sprinkle your Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken with chopped green onions or freshly chopped cilantro. Toasted sesame seeds are another classic finishing touch that adds a little crunch and visual flair.
Side Dishes
This dish absolutely shines over a mound of steamed rice or fluffy quinoa, both of which soak up all that saucy goodness. For something lighter, try serving it with sautéed greens, crisp steamed broccoli, or even piled into lettuce wraps for a fresh twist.
Creative Ways to Present
For fun gatherings, turn Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken into sliders by piling it onto toasted buns with slaw. Or, load it into tacos with shredded cabbage and a drizzle of sriracha-mayo. It’s just as tempting spooned onto baked potatoes or stuffed into pita pockets for lunch the next day!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The flavors deepen as it sits, making those next-day lunches something to look forward to!
Freezing
This chicken freezes beautifully. Once completely cooled, portion it into freezer-safe bags or containers, label with the date, and freeze for up to three months. When you’re craving a quick, delicious meal, just thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm the chicken and sauce together in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen it up. Microwave reheating works well too—cover loosely and heat in short intervals, stirring in between, until nice and hot.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully in Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken, delivering an even richer flavor and super juicy texture. Just trim excess fat before cooking.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, doubling is no problem—just make sure your slow cooker is large enough to handle the extra volume. Keep the cooking time about the same, but check that all pieces cook through completely.
Is it possible to make this without a slow cooker?
You can definitely adapt this recipe for a stovetop or oven! Simmer in a heavy pot on low heat, covered, until the chicken is tender, or bake covered at 325°F until done, adding a little water if needed.
How can I make it less sweet?
If you prefer your Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken less sweet, feel free to reduce the honey by a tablespoon or two, or add a splash of rice vinegar or lemon juice for extra tang to balance out the sauce.
Can I prep this meal in advance?
Absolutely! Combine all the sauce ingredients and chicken in your slow cooker insert the night before, refrigerate, then simply pop it into your slow cooker in the morning and set it to cook—effortless make-ahead magic.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken enough for busy weeknights, lazy Sundays, or anytime you’re craving something crave-worthy with minimal effort. Give it a whirl and get ready for rave reviews around the table!
Print
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 6
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Tender chicken slow cooked in a sweet-savory honey garlic sauce.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 4 chicken breasts
Sauce:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Place chicken in slow cooker. Add honey, soy sauce, ketchup, and minced garlic.
- Cook on Low for 6 hours or High for 3 hours.
- Remove chicken, shred it. Stir in cornstarch-water mixture to thicken the sauce.
- Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker and coat it in the thickened sauce.
- Prep Time: 10m
- Cook Time: 6h
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian
