Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs are your answer to a delicious, hands-off dinner that delivers incredible flavor with minimal effort, making it a weeknight hero. This recipe is perfect for busy individuals or families seeking a satisfying meal without the stress.
Key Ingredients for Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- Cooked rice or noodles, for serving
- Sesame seeds and sliced green onions, for garnish
How to Make Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Prepare for a flavor explosion with minimal fuss! This Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs recipe is designed for ultimate ease, delivering tender, succulent chicken bathed in a sweet and savory glaze. In about 15 minutes of active prep, you’ll achieve a restaurant-quality meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker Base: In your slow cooker, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using). Ensure these ingredients are well combined to create the flavorful sauce base.
- Add the Chicken Thighs: Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs directly into the slow cooker, nestling them into the sauce mixture. Make sure each thigh is at least partially coated in the liquid.
- Cook on Low: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 4–6 hours, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through. The low and slow cooking process allows the chicken to become incredibly moist and absorb all the delicious honey garlic flavors.
- Thicken the Sauce: Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove the chicken thighs from the slow cooker and set them aside on a plate. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth, creating a cornstarch slurry.
- Simmer the Glaze: Pour the cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker with the remaining sauce. Stir well to combine. Turn the slow cooker to HIGH (or transfer the sauce to a saucepan on the stovetop) and cook for another 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened into a glossy glaze.
- Serve and Garnish: Return the chicken thighs to the slow cooker and toss them gently in the thickened honey garlic sauce to coat. Serve the Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs hot over cooked rice or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for a beautiful presentation and an extra layer of flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
You’ll be absolutely smitten with these Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs for so many reasons! The star of the show is undeniably the incredibly tender chicken thighs, practically melting in your mouth, coated in a perfectly balanced sweet and savory honey garlic glaze that’s even better than takeout. Making this at home is a fantastic way to save money without sacrificing flavor, offering a budget-friendly yet gourmet-tasting meal that impresses without breaking the bank. Compared to a less flavorful baked chicken dish, the slow cooker imbues the chicken with unparalleled moisture and the sauce becomes a rich, sticky masterpiece, complete with the delightful crunch of sesame seeds and the fresh pop of green onions.
This recipe is a pure joy to make and to savor, transforming simple ingredients into a family-pleasing masterpiece with minimal daily effort. It’s the kind of meal that makes weeknights feel like a treat, proving that delicious, satisfying dinners don’t need to be complicated or expensive. Don’t wait – gather your ingredients and let your slow cooker do all the work to experience the magic of Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs for yourself tonight!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing Leftovers:
- Allow any leftover Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs to cool down to room temperature.
- Transfer the chicken and sauce to an airtight container.
- Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating:
- Stovetop: For the best results, reheat the chicken and sauce in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You may need to add a tablespoon or two of water or chicken broth if the sauce has thickened too much.
- Microwave: Place the chicken and sauce in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until hot.
- Slow Cooker: You can also reheat leftovers in the slow cooker on the WARM setting for about an hour.
Freezing for Future Meals:
- Once cooled, portion the chicken and sauce into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
- Label with the date and contents.
- Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Final Thoughts
These Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs are a true gem for busy home cooks, offering unparalleled flavor and tenderness with maximum ease. Give this simple yet incredibly satisfying recipe a try; your taste buds (and your wallet!) will thank you for it.
Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In your slow cooker, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using). Ensure these ingredients are well combined to create the flavorful sauce base.1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 1/2 cup honey, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 3 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 4 cloves garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs directly into the slow cooker, nestling them into the sauce mixture. Make sure each thigh is at least partially coated in the liquid.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 4–6 hours, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through. The low and slow cooking process allows the chicken to become incredibly moist and absorb all the delicious honey garlic flavors.
- Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove the chicken thighs from the slow cooker and set them aside on a plate. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth, creating a cornstarch slurry.2 tablespoons cornstarch, 2 tablespoons cold water
- Pour the cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker with the remaining sauce. Stir well to combine. Turn the slow cooker to HIGH (or transfer the sauce to a saucepan on the stovetop) and cook for another 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened into a glossy glaze.
- Return the chicken thighs to the slow cooker and toss them gently in the thickened honey garlic sauce to coat. Serve the Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs hot over cooked rice or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for a beautiful presentation and an extra layer of flavor.Cooked rice or noodles, Sesame seeds, Sliced green onions