Description
A flavorful and easy Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken recipe that combines tender chicken thighs or breasts with a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, slow-cooked to perfection. Ideal for a hands-off meal served over rice or noodles, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions for added texture and freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless chicken thighs or breasts
Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, sliced (optional)
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated (optional)
Thickening
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
Garnish
- Sesame seeds
- Green onions
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Place the boneless chicken thighs or breasts evenly in the slow cooker to form the base of your dish.
- Mix the sauce: In a bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, and if desired, grated fresh ginger and sliced onion to create the flavorful honey garlic sauce.
- Combine and cook: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker, ensuring the chicken is well-coated with the sauce.
- Slow cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-7 hours, or alternatively on high heat for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Remove chicken: Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker; shred it with forks for a pulled texture or leave it whole depending on your preference.
- Thicken the sauce: Mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry and stir it into the sauce remaining in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens to a glaze consistency.
- Return chicken to sauce: Place the shredded or whole chicken back into the thickened sauce, coating it evenly for maximum flavor absorption.
- Serve: Serve the honey garlic chicken hot over cooked rice or noodles, garnished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and chopped green onions for added aroma and color.
Notes
- You can use either chicken thighs or breasts based on your preference; thighs stay more moist and tender.
- Optional ginger and onion add extra depth to the sauce but can be omitted if preferred.
- Adjust honey or soy sauce amounts slightly if you want a sweeter or more savory sauce.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a fresh salad to balance the meal.
- Leftovers store well and can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
