Easy Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe with 4 Simple Ingredients
Sticky, glossy, and tender chicken thighs cooked in a rich honey garlic sauce using just four simple ingredients. Perfect for a fuss-free, comforting dinner with minimal prep.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours on low or 2 to 3 hours on high
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes to 5 hours 5 minutes (low) or 2 hours 5 minutes to 3 hours 5 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Pat 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup honey, 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce, and 3 cloves minced garlic. Stir until well blended.
- Place the chicken thighs in a single layer at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken, coating each piece as much as possible. Do not stir.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours until chicken is tender and easily shredded with a fork.
- Remove the chicken carefully and set aside. Turn the slow cooker to HIGH and simmer the sauce uncovered for 15-20 minutes to thicken and become glossy.
- Return the chicken to the slow cooker, spoon the thickened sauce over it, and let it sit for 5 minutes to soak up the glaze.
- Serve hot, optionally garnished with chopped green onions or sesame seeds.
Notes
Pat chicken dry before cooking to help sauce stick and thicken. Avoid stirring during cooking to allow sauce to caramelize. To thicken sauce if too thin, add a slurry of 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water during the thickening step. Chicken breasts can be used but reduce cooking time to avoid dryness. Sauce can be thickened by simmering uncovered after cooking. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3-4 days or frozen up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 325
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Protein: 30
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, honey garlic chicken, easy dinner, crockpot recipe, simple ingredients, weeknight meal, gluten-free option