Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Description:

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a sweet, savory, and slightly tangy dish made with tender chicken thighs slowly simmered in a mouthwatering sauce of honey, garlic, soy sauce, and a hint of ginger. This fuss-free recipe delivers rich flavor with minimal effort and pairs beautifully with rice or steamed vegetables.

📝 Ingredients for Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

• 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)

• 1/2 cup honey

• 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce

• 1/4 cup ketchup

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (or 1 tsp ground ginger)

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)

• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)

• Sliced green onions & sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

🍽️ Instructions:

1. Prepare the Sauce:
   In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, ginger, vinegar, and red pepper flakes.

2. Add to Slow Cooker:
   Place chicken thighs in the bottom of a slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the chicken.

3. Cook:
   Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 2.5–3 hours, until chicken is tender.

4. Thicken the Sauce:
   Remove the chicken and keep warm.
   In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with water. Stir into the sauce in the slow cooker.
   Cook on HIGH for 10–15 minutes or until thickened.

5. Serve:
   Return chicken to the slow cooker or pour the sauce over chicken on a serving platter.
   Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve with rice, quinoa, or steamed vegetables.

📝 Notes:

• Can be made with chicken breasts, but thighs offer more flavor and tenderness.

• To make it spicy, increase red pepper flakes or add Sriracha.

• Add steamed broccoli or snow peas at the end for a complete one-pot meal.

• Double the sauce for extra to drizzle over rice or veggies.

💡 Tips:

• Browning chicken first (optional) adds a deeper flavor.

• Leftovers taste even better the next day and freeze well for up to 3 months.

• Use a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup.

🍽️ Servings:

Serves 4–6 people

🔍 Nutritional Info (Per Serving – Approximate):

• Calories: 320

• Protein: 25g

• Carbs: 22g

• Fat: 14g

• Sugars: 17g

• Sodium: 650mg
  (Values may vary based on ingredients used)

✅ Benefits:

• High in protein

• Simple prep with hands-off cooking

• Great for meal prep

• Kid-friendly flavor

• Naturally gluten-free if using tamari instead of soy sauce

❓ Q&A:

Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: It’s best to thaw chicken before adding to the slow cooker to ensure even cooking and food safety.

Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can prep the ingredients the night before and start the slow cooker in the morning.

Q: Can I add vegetables?
A: Absolutely! Add sturdy veggies like carrots or bell peppers in the last hour of cooking, or serve it over a veggie base.