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Cozy Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

cozy slow cooker honey garlic chicken - featured image

A comforting slow cooker honey garlic chicken with a perfectly balanced sweet and savory sauce. Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients, this recipe is perfect for cozy nights and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds (900g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/3 cup (115g) honey
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) low-sodium soy sauce
  • 4 to 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons (30g) ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) sesame oil (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon (8g) cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) cold water
  • 3 to 4 green onions, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon (9g) sesame seeds (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Place the chicken thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker in a single layer.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, ketchup, and rice vinegar. Taste and adjust balance if needed.
  4. Pour the sauce over the chicken, making sure each piece gets coated.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours.
  6. About 20 minutes before serving, carefully remove the chicken to a plate using tongs. Cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
  7. Pour the cooking liquid into a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  8. Whisk the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with cold water) until smooth, then slowly pour into the simmering sauce while whisking constantly. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until thickened. Stir in sesame oil if using.
  9. Return the chicken to the slow cooker (or a serving dish) and pour the thickened sauce over the top. Toss gently to coat.
  10. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately over steamed rice, noodles, or with crusty bread.

Notes

For best results, use chicken thighs instead of breasts to keep the meat juicy. Thicken the sauce on the stovetop for a glossy, non-lumpy finish. Double the sauce if you love extra. This recipe is forgiving and can be adapted for Instant Pot or Dutch oven.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, honey garlic chicken, comfort food, easy dinner, chicken thighs, crockpot