Are you looking for a delicious and easy-to-make slow cooker recipe that’s perfect for a busy day? Look no further than this crockpot honey garlic chicken recipe. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a mouth-watering dish that’s sure to become a family favorite. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of using a slow cooker, the ingredients and instructions for making crockpot honey garlic chicken, and some helpful tips and variations to make the recipe your own.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to prepare and cook
• Delicious and flavorful
• Perfect for a busy day or a special occasion
• Can be made with chicken breasts or thighs
• Great for meal prep or leftovers

Key Ingredients & Substitutions

To make this crockpot honey garlic chicken recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs: Chicken thighs are preferred for this recipe because they remain moist and tender after slow cooking. However, you can substitute them with chicken breasts if you prefer. Keep in mind that chicken breasts may become dry if overcooked, so be sure to monitor the cooking time.
• 1/3 cup honey: Honey adds a rich, sweet flavor to the dish. You can use pure, raw honey for the best flavor.
• 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce: Soy sauce provides a savory, umami flavor that complements the honey and garlic. Use a low-sodium version to control the salt content of the dish.
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste: Tomato paste adds a deep, slightly sweet flavor to the sauce. Use a high-quality, low-sodium tomato paste for the best results.
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar: Rice vinegar adds a touch of acidity to the sauce, which helps to balance the flavors. You can use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar as a substitute if you prefer.
• 4 cloves garlic, minced: Garlic is a key ingredient in this recipe, providing a pungent, savory flavor. Use fresh, high-quality garlic for the best results.
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated: Fresh ginger adds a warm, spicy flavor to the dish. Use a microplane or fine grater to grate the ginger for the best results.
• 2 teaspoons chili paste (such as Sriracha or Sambal Oelek): Chili paste adds a spicy kick to the sauce. Use a high-quality, flavorful chili paste for the best results.
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch: Cornstarch is used to thicken the sauce. Use a high-quality, fine cornstarch for the best results.
• 2 tablespoons cold water: Cold water is used to mix with the cornstarch and create a slurry. Use cold water to prevent the cornstarch from clumping.
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds: Toasted sesame seeds add a nutty, crunchy texture to the dish. Use a high-quality, fresh sesame seed for the best results.
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced: Green onions add a fresh, oniony flavor to the dish. Use high-quality, fresh green onions for the best results.

Step-by-Step Instructions

To make this recipe, follow these simple steps:

1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, low-sodium soy sauce, tomato paste, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and chili paste until the sauce is well blended.

2. Place the chicken thighs in an even layer at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.

3. Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over the chicken, making sure all pieces are covered.

4. Cover the slow cooker and cook on the Low setting for 4 to 5 hours, or on the High setting for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

5. Using tongs, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and transfer it to a cutting board. Shred the meat using two forks or slice into bite-sized chunks.

6. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch and cold water together to form a smooth slurry. Pour this mixture into the liquid remaining in the slow cooker and stir well.

7. Set the slow cooker to the High setting (if not already there), cover, and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the sauce has thickened into a glossy, sticky glaze.

8. Add the chicken back into the slow cooker and toss thoroughly to ensure every piece is generously coated in the glaze.

9. Serve the chicken over a bed of steamed brown or white rice, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh green onions.

For more delicious chicken recipes, be sure to check out our Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken and 4-Ingredient Chicken Salad recipes.

Expert Chef Tips & Troubleshooting

To ensure the best results, be sure to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. You can also use a slow cooker liner to make cleanup easier.

If you find that the sauce is too thin, you can simmer it on the stovetop for a few minutes to reduce it. Alternatively, you can add a little more cornstarch to thicken it.

For a crispy finish, you can broil the chicken in the oven for a few minutes after cooking. This will give it a nice caramelized crust.

To prevent the chicken from becoming dry, make sure to not overcook it. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, and remove the chicken from the slow cooker as soon as it reaches 165°F (74°C).

Storage, Make-Ahead & Reheating

This recipe is perfect for meal prep or leftovers. You can store the cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 2 months.

To reheat, simply microwave the chicken until it’s hot and steaming. You can also reheat it in the slow cooker on the Low setting for a few hours.

For more information on safe minimum internal temperature for chicken, visit the USDA website. You can also find nutrition data for boneless skinless chicken thighs on the USDA website.

Recipe Variations

To add some variety to this recipe, you can try the following variations:

• Add some diced bell peppers or carrots to the slow cooker with the chicken for added flavor and nutrition.
• Use different types of chili paste, such as harissa or gochujang, for a unique flavor.
• Add some fresh herbs, such as cilantro or basil, to the sauce for added flavor.
• Serve the chicken with some steamed vegetables, such as broccoli or green beans, for a well-rounded meal.

Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken

C. Sophie

This crockpot honey garlic chicken recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make slow cooker dish that's perfect for a busy day. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a mouth-watering meal that's sure to become a family favorite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4 people

Calories 415 kcal

Equipment

• Slow Cooker
• Cutting Board
• Meat Thermometer

Ingredients

  

Chicken

• 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs

Sauce

• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
• 2 teaspoons chili paste
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 2 green onions green onions thinly sliced

Instructions

 

• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, low-sodium soy sauce, tomato paste, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and chili paste until the sauce is well blended.
• Place the chicken thighs in an even layer at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
• Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over the chicken, making sure all pieces are covered.
• Cover the slow cooker and cook on the Low setting for 4 to 5 hours, or on the High setting for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• Using tongs, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and transfer it to a cutting board. Shred the meat using two forks or slice into bite-sized chunks.
• In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch and cold water together to form a smooth slurry. Pour this mixture into the liquid remaining in the slow cooker and stir well.
• Set the slow cooker to the High setting (if not already there), cover, and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the sauce has thickened into a glossy, sticky glaze.
• Add the chicken back into the slow cooker and toss thoroughly to ensure every piece is generously coated in the glaze.
• Serve the chicken over a bed of steamed brown or white rice, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh green onions.

Notes

Nutritional information:

• Calories: 415
• Protein: 39g
• Carbohydrates: 34g
• Fat: 13g
• Saturated fat: 3.5g
• Cholesterol: 145mg
• Sodium: 920mg
• Potassium: 320mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 24g

Tip: Let cool completely before serving.

Keyword crockpot honey garlic chicken

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