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Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken: Best Set & Forget Dinner

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This easy crockpot honey garlic chicken is a set-and-forget dinner that delivers sticky, savory, sweet comfort food with minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights, it uses simple pantry ingredients and a clever cornstarch slurry for a thick, glossy sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds (about 900g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • ½ cup (170g) honey
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons (30g) ketchup
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons (16g) cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) cold water
  • Sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for garnish
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon oil (for searing)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper on both sides.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown. Do not crowd the pan.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
  4. Place the seared chicken thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker in a single layer if possible. Pour the sauce over the top, making sure each piece is coated.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and shreds easily with a fork.
  6. Once the chicken is cooked, use tongs to transfer it to a plate. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Whisk the slurry into the juices in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and is glossy.
  7. Shred the chicken with two forks and return it to the sauce, or serve the thighs whole.
  8. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve over steamed rice, noodles, or with a side of steamed vegetables.

Notes

For the best texture, look for chicken thighs that are roughly the same size so they cook evenly. Trim off any excess fat before cooking. If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can make this in a Dutch oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 2 hours. Don’t skip the sear—it adds depth of flavor. Add the cornstarch slurry at the end for a thick sauce. For a gluten-free version, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot honey garlic chicken, slow cooker chicken, honey garlic chicken, easy chicken dinner, set and forget dinner, sticky chicken

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/easy-crockpot-honey-garlic-chicken-best-set-and-forget-dinner/