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Easy Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken That Guests Love

slow cooker honey garlic chicken - featured image

This easy slow cooker honey garlic chicken is the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and sticky-good. With just 15 minutes of prep, it’s a foolproof dish that’s ideal for hosting or a simple weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 to 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons cold water
  • Sesame seeds (for garnish)
  • Chopped green onions (for garnish)
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken thighs in a single layer. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. Transfer the seared chicken to the slow cooker.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and grated ginger.
  4. Pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is fork-tender.
  5. Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the sauce.
  6. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with the cold water until smooth. Pour the slurry into the slow cooker and stir well. Turn the slow cooker to HIGH and let it cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
  7. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve immediately over steamed rice, noodles, or alongside roasted vegetables.

Notes

Don’t skip the searing step—it builds flavor. For best results, use chicken thighs and add garlic in two stages: half at the beginning and half before thickening the sauce. If doubling the recipe, ensure the slow cooker is not more than two-thirds full.

Nutrition

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