Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Introduction

This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a delicious and effortless meal perfect for busy days. Tender chicken breasts simmer in a flavorful honey-garlic sauce that’s both sweet and savory. Serve it over rice or noodles for a comforting dinner the whole family will love.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds split chicken breasts (skin removed, or 1 ½ pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs)
• ½ cup less sodium soy sauce
• ⅓ cup honey
• ⅓ cup hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon onion powder (or ½ small onion, finely diced)
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• Sliced green onions (optional, for garnish)
• Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Mix well.
2. Step 2: Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken.
3. Step 3: Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part.
4. Step 4: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks, discarding any bones. Keep the shredded chicken warm and set aside.
5. Step 5: In a small bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of water with the cornstarch until smooth.
6. Step 6: Pour the cooking liquid from the slow cooker into a medium saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
7. Step 7: While whisking, slowly add the cornstarch mixture a little at a time until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Let it boil for 1 minute.
8. Step 8: Pour the thickened sauce over the shredded chicken and stir to coat evenly.
9. Step 9: Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired, then serve over rice or noodles.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the sauce mixture for a few hours before cooking.
• Use thighs instead of breasts for a juicier result.
• Add extra crushed red pepper flakes if you prefer a spicier dish.
• Substitute hoisin sauce with oyster sauce for a slightly different taste.
• Serve with steamed vegetables for a well-rounded meal.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use thawed chicken to ensure even cooking. Cooking frozen chicken in a slow cooker can lead to uneven temperatures and potential food safety issues.

Can I make this recipe on the stovetop instead of a slow cooker?

Yes, you can simmer the sauce and chicken in a covered skillet over low heat for about 45 minutes to an hour until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Adjust the cooking time as needed.

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 794 reviews

This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken recipe is a deliciously easy and flavorful meal that combines tender shredded chicken with a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, the chicken is slow-cooked to juicy perfection and coated in a rich sauce infused with ginger, garlic, and hoisin. Serve it over rice or noodles for a comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
• Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Asian
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 2 pounds split chicken breasts (skin removed, or 1 ½ pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs)

Sauce

• ½ cup less sodium soy sauce
• ⅓ cup honey
• ⅓ cup hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
• 5 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon onion powder (or ½ small onion, finely diced)
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Thickener and Garnish

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• Sliced green onions (optional)
• Sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

1. Make the sauce: Combine the soy sauce, honey, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, minced ginger, garlic, toasted sesame oil, onion powder, and red pepper flakes in a bowl. Mix well to create a flavorful sauce base.
2. Slow cook the chicken: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, ensuring it is fully cooked and tender.
3. Shred the chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and place it in a bowl. Use two forks to shred the chicken, discarding any bones as needed. Cover lightly to keep warm while you prepare the sauce.
4. Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of water with the cornstarch to create a slurry. Pour the remaining liquid from the slow cooker into a medium saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat, then gradually whisk in the cornstarch slurry a little at a time to thicken the sauce to your desired consistency. Allow the sauce to boil for 1 minute to activate the thickener.
5. Combine chicken and sauce: Pour the thickened sauce over the shredded chicken and stir well to coat the chicken evenly with the flavorful sauce.
6. Serve and garnish: Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve the honey garlic chicken hot, ideally over cooked rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Notes

• You can use either split chicken breasts with skin removed or boneless breasts/thighs—adjust cooking times slightly if using boneless.
• Less sodium soy sauce is used to control salt levels, but regular soy sauce can be substituted.
• For thicker sauce, add cornstarch slurry gradually and adjust to your preferred texture.
• Serve with steamed vegetables or in lettuce wraps for a lighter option.
• This recipe can be doubled for larger gatherings, just ensure your slow cooker is large enough.

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, honey garlic chicken, easy dinner, shredded chicken recipe, crockpot chicken, Asian slow cooker recipe