Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Recipe
If you’re looking for a dinner that’s effortlessly elegant, impossibly juicy, and dripping with delightful flavor, Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs are bound to become your new go-to. This is one of those weeknight wonders that delivers sticky-sweet, savory, and garlicky perfection with glorious ease. Every bite is infused with the irresistible promise of honey, balanced perfectly by tangy soy sauce and a hint of fragrant basil—comfort food, but with a bright, fresh twist. Best of all, you can toss everything into your slow cooker in minutes and let magic happen while you go about your day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These few simple ingredients are truly the heart and soul of Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs. Each brings its own special flavor or texture, and together, they create a dish that’s equal parts cozy and crave-worthy. Don’t be fooled by the short list—every ingredient counts!
- Chicken Thighs: Tender, juicy, and able to soak up every bit of sticky sauce goodness—boneless, skinless works best for quick serving.
- Honey: The natural star of the show, honey brings luscious sweetness and helps create that magical glaze.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Adds rich, savory depth without overpowering the sweetness—using low-sodium keeps it balanced.
- Ketchup: Don’t underestimate this ingredient—ketchup brings zippy tang and a beautiful glossy color to the sauce.
- Garlic Cloves: Fresh minced garlic infuses the sauce with warm, aromatic flavor that is simply irresistible.
- Rice Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar: Just a splash brightens everything and cuts through the sweet and savory notes.
- Dried Basil: This humble herb adds a delightfully unexpected touch of earthy freshness.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional): For a little tingly heat to balance the sweetness, toss these in if you like a mild kick!
- Cornstarch: Essential for thickening the sauce into that glossy, spoon-clinging finish—it’s your secret weapon.
- Water: Mixed with cornstarch for a quick slurry, this step brings the sauce together.
- Sliced Green Onions & Sesame Seeds: These simple garnishes add the perfect pop of freshness and crunch to each serving.
How to Make Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Step 1: Layer the Chicken
Start by nestling your boneless, skinless chicken thighs right into the bottom of your slow cooker. There’s no need for any fancy prep here—the slow cooker will do all the work of making them fall-apart tender.
Step 2: Mix Up the Dreamy Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, vinegar, dried basil, and super flavorful red pepper flakes if you’re looking for a little heat. This shining sauce will infuse the chicken with all its sticky-sweet, garlicky magic as it cooks.
Step 3: Coat & Cook
Pour the sauce right over the chicken thighs, making sure each piece gets cozily covered. Pop the lid on, set your slow cooker to low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, and let the irresistible aroma fill your kitchen. You’ll know they’re ready when the chicken is gorgeously tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
Step 4: Thicken the Sauce
Once the chicken is cooked, scoop it out and set it aside for a moment. Whisk together a quick cornstarch slurry—that’s just cornstarch and water mixed until smooth. Stir this into the sauce left in the slow cooker and turn the heat to high. In about 10–15 minutes, you’ll have a glossy, thick sauce that’s perfect for coating every morsel.
Step 5: Finish & Serve Your Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Return the chicken to the slow cooker, tossing gently so each piece gets enveloped in that gorgeous sauce. Serve hot, showered with green onions and sesame seeds for irresistible color and crunch.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Garnishes
To truly make these Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs shine, finish with a generous sprinkle of sliced green onions and sesame seeds. The green onions add brightness, while the sesame seeds bring that nutty, toasty crunch that contrasts perfectly with the sticky sauce.
Side Dishes
This dish absolutely sings when served over fluffy steamed rice, which soaks up every last drop of sauce. For extra color and nutrition, add a side of crisp steamed broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy. You could also serve alongside a simple slaw for a little fresh crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to level up your dinner game, try piling the chicken thighs onto a bed of coconut rice or serving them taco-style in lettuce wraps (with plenty of extra sauce). They make fantastic meal prep too—just portion with rice and veggies into containers for effortless weekday lunches.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cool any leftovers of your Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs to room temperature, then pack them (with a good spoonful of sauce) into airtight containers. They’re great in the fridge for up to 4 days, making them a lifesaver for quick lunches or weeknight dinners.
Freezing
These chicken thighs freeze beautifully! Simply transfer cooled chicken and sauce to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Lay flat in your freezer, and they’ll keep happily for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, just add the chicken and sauce to a microwave-safe dish, cover, and warm in 30-second intervals until hot. Alternatively, reheat gently on the stove in a covered skillet—add a splash of water if the sauce is extra thick. Either way, the flavor will be just as wonderful as day one!
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts work well, though they may not be quite as juicy as thighs. Just be careful not to overcook them; check for doneness around the 3–4 hour mark on low.
Is there a substitute for honey in this recipe?
If you’re out of honey or want to try something different, pure maple syrup or agave are great alternatives. They’ll bring their own unique sweetness to your Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs.
How can I make the sauce spicier?
Spice lovers can amp up the heat by increasing the amount of crushed red pepper flakes, or by adding a squirt of sriracha or a pinch of cayenne to the sauce mixture.
Can I prepare this ahead and start the slow cooker later?
Definitely! You can mix up the sauce and combine it with the chicken in your slow cooker insert, then cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, just pop it into the cooker and start the program as normal.
What’s the secret for even thicker sauce?
If you want the sauce even thicker, add another half tablespoon of cornstarch to your slurry, and let it bubble in the slow cooker with the lid off for a few extra minutes at the end.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly special about the way Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma—and the flavor is even more rewarding. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try soon; it’s comfort food that’s as easy as it is unforgettable. Let me know how it goes, and don’t be surprised when it becomes a fast favorite in your home too!
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Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Recipe
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Tender and flavorful, these Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs are a delicious Asian-inspired dish that is perfect for a hassle-free dinner. The sweet and savory sauce pairs perfectly with the juicy chicken thighs, making it a family favorite.
Ingredients
Chicken Thighs:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Sauce:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Thickening Agent:
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Garnish:
- Sliced green onions and sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker.
- Make Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, vinegar, basil, and red pepper flakes.
- Cook: Pour the sauce over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Thicken Sauce: Remove chicken, mix cornstarch and water to form a slurry. Add to sauce, cook on high for 10-15 minutes until thickened.
- Combine: Return chicken to the sauce, toss to coat.
- Serve: Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, serve hot.
Notes
- This dish goes well with steamed rice or vegetables.
- For a crispy finish, broil the cooked chicken for 2-3 minutes before adding back to the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
