Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Introduction

This Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken is a simple, flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts are slow-cooked in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce with a hint of spice. It’s an effortless way to enjoy a comforting homemade meal.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Instructions

1. Step 1: Add the chicken breasts to a 5-quart slow cooker, spreading them out evenly.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
3. Step 3: Pour the sauce over the chicken and use a spoon to stir gently, coating the chicken thoroughly.
4. Step 4: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 3 1/2 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and easily shreds with a fork.
5. Step 5: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred the meat using two forks.
6. Step 6: In a small bowl, mix the water and cornstarch until smooth. Whisk this mixture into the sauce in the slow cooker. Set the slow cooker to high and return the shredded chicken to the sauce.
7. Step 7: Continue cooking on high for 30 minutes to thicken the sauce slightly before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a milder flavor, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
• Serve over steamed rice or noodles to soak up the delicious sauce.
• Add diced bell peppers or snap peas in the last hour of cooking for extra veggies.
• Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for even juicier meat.

Storage

Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to prevent drying out. This dish can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken breasts in this recipe?

It is best to use thawed chicken breasts. If using frozen, increase cooking time and ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before shredding.

How can I make the sauce thicker?

Whisking the cornstarch with water and cooking the sauce on high for 30 minutes helps thicken it. For an even thicker sauce, you can add a little more cornstarch slurry gradually until you reach the desired consistency.

Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

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This Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken recipe is a flavorful, easy-to-make slow cooker dish featuring tender shredded chicken breasts simmered in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce with a hint of heat from red pepper flakes. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, it’s effortlessly prepared by combining simple ingredients and cooking low and slow in a crock pot until the chicken is juicy and infused with the delicious sauce.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts

Sauce

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Thickening Mixture

• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Add the chicken breasts to a 5-quart slow cooker, laying them in an even layer to ensure even cooking.
2. Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, reduced sodium soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes until well combined to create a flavorful sauce.
3. Coat the Chicken: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker, stirring gently to ensure each piece is fully coated with the sauce for maximum flavor infusion.
4. Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for 3 1/2 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked and easily shreds with a fork, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
5. Shred the Chicken: Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces, returning them to the cooker afterward.
6. Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the water and cornstarch until dissolved, then whisk this slurry into the sauce in the slow cooker. Set the slow cooker to high heat.
7. Finish Cooking: Allow the chicken to cook on high for an additional 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to a glossy, slightly thickened consistency that coats the chicken beautifully.

Notes

• Use reduced sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness of the dish.
• If you prefer less spice, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
• Serve over steamed rice or noodles to complement the flavorful sauce.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently before serving.
• Ensure the slow cooker is at least 5 quarts to accommodate the volume of chicken and sauce comfortably.

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, honey garlic chicken, crock pot recipes, easy dinner, shredded chicken, savory chicken dish