Looking for a meal that’s both comforting and easy to prepare? Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken is your answer! This dish is a delightful combination of tender, juicy chicken slow-cooked to perfection in a rich honey garlic sauce. The slow cooker does all the hard work, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully while you go about your day.
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity—just a few basic ingredients come together to create a dish that’s bursting with flavor. The sweetness of the honey balances perfectly with the savory soy sauce and the aromatic garlic, creating a sauce that coats the chicken in a glaze that’s both sticky and irresistible. Whether you’re looking for an effortless weeknight dinner or something to impress guests with minimal effort, this recipe ticks all the boxes. Serve it over rice, noodles, or with a side of vegetables, and you have a complete meal that’s sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional for extra flavor)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup water or chicken broth
- 2 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- Green onions and sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Directions
- Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, ground ginger, and black pepper.
- Arrange the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot.
- Pour the sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, making sure each piece is well-coated.
- Slow cook: Cover the crockpot with the lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Optional thickening: If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the chicken and set aside. Mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then stir it into the sauce. Turn the crockpot to high and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Serve: Return the chicken to the crockpot and coat with the thickened sauce. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot over rice or noodles.
How to Prepare
To prepare Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken, start by gathering all your ingredients. Begin by mixing the honey, soy sauce, hoisin sauce (if using), minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, ground ginger, and black pepper in a bowl to create the sauce. Once the sauce is ready, place the chicken breasts at the bottom of your crockpot. Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken, ensuring each piece is fully coated.
Cover the crockpot with its lid and set it to cook. If you’re planning ahead, cook on low for 6-8 hours. If you’re short on time, set it to high for 3-4 hours. The slow cooking process allows the chicken to absorb the sweet and savory flavors of the sauce, making it incredibly tender. If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the chicken towards the end, add a cornstarch slurry to the sauce, and let it thicken before returning the chicken to the crockpot.
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
- Total Time: 6-8 hours and 10 minutes (depending on the cooking time chosen)
Servings
- Serves: 4-6 people
FAQs
- Can I use bone-in chicken for this recipe?
- Yes, bone-in chicken works well. Adjust the cooking time slightly, as bone-in pieces may take a bit longer to cook through.
- Is there a substitute for soy sauce?
- You can use tamari or coconut aminos as a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce.
- Can I add vegetables to the crockpot?
- Absolutely! Adding vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or broccoli during the last hour of cooking works well.
- How can I make this dish spicier?
- To add some heat, mix in a tablespoon of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Can I freeze the leftovers?
- Yes, Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken freezes well. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat before serving.
Conclusion
Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken is the perfect recipe for those who want a delicious meal with minimal effort. The slow cooker does all the work, allowing the chicken to soak up the rich, sweet, and savory flavors of the honey garlic sauce. This dish is incredibly versatile—serve it over rice, noodles, or even with a side of vegetables for a complete meal. The best part? It’s a dish that everyone will love, from picky eaters to foodies.
Whether you’re cooking for your family on a busy weeknight or preparing a dish for a weekend gathering, Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken is sure to impress. The tender chicken, coated in a sticky, flavorful glaze, is comfort food at its finest. Make this recipe a part of your regular meal rotation, and enjoy the compliments that follow!
PrintCrockpot Honey Garlic Chicken
- Total Time: 6-8 hours and 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4-6 1x
Description
Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken is a mouthwatering dish that combines the sweetness of honey with the robust flavor of garlic. The slow cooker does all the work, simmering chicken breasts in a savory sauce that’s perfect over rice or noodles. Ideal for busy days, this recipe offers a delicious, hassle-free meal that’s sure to please the entire family.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional for extra flavor)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup water or chicken broth
- 2 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- Green onions and sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, hoisin sauce (if using), minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, ground ginger, and black pepper.
- Arrange the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot.
- Pour the sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, making sure each piece is well-coated.
- Slow cook: Cover the crockpot with the lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Optional thickening: If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the chicken and set aside. Mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then stir it into the sauce. Turn the crockpot to high and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Serve: Return the chicken to the crockpot and coat with the thickened sauce. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot over rice or noodles.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of honey and soy sauce according to your taste preferences.
- For a spicier kick, add sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To make it gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: Slow Cooker Chicken, Honey Garlic Chicken, Easy Dinner