slow cooker honey garlic chicken is one of those “dump it in and come back to magic” meals. Sticky-sweet, garlicky, and perfect over rice. 🍯🧄🐔
(I’m assuming you meant slow cooker — if you meant pressure cooker or rice cooker, say the word.)
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Serves
4
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 4–5 hrs (LOW) or 2–3 hrs (HIGH)
Ingredients
-
1½–2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
-
½ cup honey
-
⅓ cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
-
¼ cup ketchup
-
4–5 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
-
1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
-
½ teaspoon black pepper
-
Optional: ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
1. Add to slow cooker
Place chicken in the slow cooker.
In a bowl, whisk together:
-
Honey
-
Soy sauce
-
Ketchup
-
Garlic
-
Vinegar
-
Black pepper
-
Red pepper flakes (if using)
Pour sauce over chicken.
2. Cook
-
LOW: 4–5 hours
-
HIGH: 2–3 hours
Chicken should be tender and easily shred with a fork.
3. Thicken the sauce
-
Remove chicken and set aside.
-
Mix cornstarch and water.
-
Stir into sauce in slow cooker.
-
Cover and cook on HIGH 10–15 minutes, until thickened.
4. Finish
-
Return chicken to the sauce.
-
Spoon sauce over the top.
-
Garnish with sesame seeds or green onions if you like.
Serving Ideas
-
Over steamed rice or jasmine rice
-
With broccoli, green beans, or snap peas
-
Shredded for lettuce wraps or sandwiches
Tips
-
Thighs = juicier, more forgiving
-
If sauce is too sweet, add a splash of vinegar or soy
-
Want it stickier? Reduce sauce in a pan after cooking
Variations
-
Spicy Honey Garlic: add sriracha or chili paste
-
Honey Garlic Ginger: add 1 tbsp grated ginger
-
Crispy Finish: broil chicken 3–5 minutes after slow cooking