It was one of those cozy Sunday afternoons, the kind where time slows just enough to let you breathe. Rain tapped gently on the window, and the scent of simmering garlic and sweet honey drifted through the house. I remember thinking, this is exactly the kind of meal that takes care of you while you take care of everything else. This slow cooker honey garlic chicken is all heart: tender, flavorful, and so easy it practically cooks itself.
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Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
This dish wraps comfort and ease into one big warm hug. The prep takes just minutes, and your slow cooker does the heavy lifting while you go about your day. You’ll love how this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken brings sweet honey, bold garlic, and a gentle kick of sriracha into perfect balance.
Even better, it’s a hit with both adults and kids. You can make it ahead, freeze it, and serve it up in all kinds of ways. Whether you’re spooning it over fluffy rice or tucking it into wraps, it’s always delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Main Ingredients
Here’s what goes into the magic of this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken:
- Chicken thighs: I love how juicy and tender they get in the slow cooker. They soak up the sauce beautifully.
- Honey: Adds that soft, sweet depth we all crave.
- Low-sodium soy sauce: Keeps it savory without going overboard on salt.
- Tomato paste and sriracha: These add richness and heat. Adjust the sriracha to fit your spice comfort.
- Garlic: Fresh and minced for that warm bite.
- Rice wine vinegar and sesame oil: A splash of tang and toasty aroma.
- Cornstarch and water: For thickening that glossy, irresistible sauce.
Optional Garnishes and Serving Ideas
Don’t skip the toppings—they really bring it all together.
- Green onions: Add color and a gentle crunch.
- Sesame seeds: A tiny sprinkle goes a long way.
- Serving base: White rice, quinoa, or even mashed potatoes make a dreamy foundation. You can also tuck the chicken into lettuce cups or tortillas for wraps.
How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Step-by-Step Instructions
Start by mixing the sauce: in a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, tomato paste, sriracha, sesame oil, garlic, rice wine vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of water. That’s your flavor base, and it already smells amazing.
Next, place your chicken thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the sauce right over them, making sure they’re coated well.
Set your slow cooker to low for 4 hours or high for 2–3 hours. Once the chicken is fork-tender, shred it gently using two forks.
To thicken the sauce, stir together 2 tablespoons of water with 1½ tablespoons of cornstarch to make a slurry. Pour it into the slow cooker and cook for another 5–10 minutes, just until the sauce turns silky and thick.
Serve your Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken hot over your favorite base, topped with green onions and sesame seeds.
Pro Tips for Best Results
- Want veggies? Add chopped broccoli, carrots, or cauliflower 40 minutes before the end of cooking.
- Not a fan of spice? Cut the sriracha in half—or leave it out for a kid-friendly version.
- Serving suggestion: I love it over jasmine rice with a side of steamed green beans. It also makes an amazing filling for wraps.
Variations & Ingredient Swaps
This recipe is super flexible. You can swap the chicken thighs for chicken breasts or even bone-in cuts—just add an extra 30 minutes of cook time for bone-in.
Want a vegetarian version? Use firm tofu or canned chickpeas instead of chicken. Just reduce the cook time so they don’t get mushy.
No rice wine vinegar? Try apple cider vinegar or white vinegar. Tomato paste can be replaced with ketchup in a pinch—it’s sweeter, but still works!
Make Ahead, Store & Freeze Tips
This is one of my favorite “make once, eat twice” meals.
You can prep the whole thing ahead of time and store it in the fridge overnight before cooking. After it’s cooked, leftovers keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To freeze, let the chicken cool completely, then transfer it (with sauce) to a freezer-safe container or bag. It’ll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- A slow cooker (any 4- to 6-quart size works)
- A small bowl and whisk for mixing the sauce
- A pair of forks for shredding the chicken
Simple tools, simple steps, delicious reward.
No-Fuss Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
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No-Fuss Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A no-fuss, flavor-packed slow cooker honey garlic chicken that’s tender, sweet, savory, and a little spicy. Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1½ lb)
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
⅓ cup honey
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp sesame seed oil
4 tbsp water, divided
1½ tbsp cornstarch
2 green onions, sliced (garnish)
2 tsp sesame seeds (garnish)
Instructions
1. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, honey, tomato paste, sriracha, sesame oil, garlic, rice wine vinegar, and 2 tbsp water.
2. Place chicken thighs in a slow cooker and pour the sauce over.
3. Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2–3 hours.
4. Shred chicken with forks after cooking.
5. Mix 2 tbsp water with cornstarch to make a slurry. Add to slow cooker and cook an additional 5–10 minutes until sauce thickens.
6. Serve over rice, quinoa, or mashed potatoes, topped with sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes
Can substitute chicken breasts or bone-in cuts; add 30 minutes cook time for bone-in.
Can be prepped ahead and stored: 3 days in fridge or 3 months in freezer.
Browning chicken is not required.
Add vegetables (e.g., broccoli, carrots, cauliflower) 40 minutes before end of cooking time.
Adjust spiciness by modifying sriracha quantity.
Great served over rice, quinoa, or as wrap filling.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Slow Cooker Recipes
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 335
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 844mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Related Recipes to Try
If you love cozy, hands-off meals like this, try my comforting slow cooker chicken stew perfect for cold nights.
For something with a tangy-sweet twist, the savory slow cooker teriyaki chicken with a sweet and tangy glaze might just be your next favorite.
Or go creamy and hearty with my creamy crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe for a hearty meal.
Need something bold and Tex-Mex? Check out Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole with bold Tex-Mex flavors.
Even weeknight dinners feel special with a flavorful slow cooker garlic herb pot roast for easy weeknight dinners.
And for more ideas, visit my Pinterest board filled with slow cooker favorites and cozy kitchen inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What do you need for honey garlic chicken?
You’ll need chicken thighs, soy sauce, honey, tomato paste, sriracha, rice wine vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, water, and cornstarch. Green onions and sesame seeds are great for topping.
What to make with chicken in a slow cooker?
Chicken is perfect for soups, stews, casseroles, and saucy dishes like this one. Try recipes like teriyaki chicken, enchilada casserole, or chicken and dumplings.
Why do people slow cook chicken?
Slow cooking makes chicken incredibly tender and flavorful. It’s also easy and hands-off, which makes it perfect for busy days or lazy Sundays.
What culture is honey garlic chicken from?
Honey garlic flavors are inspired by Asian-style sauces, especially those found in Chinese and Japanese cooking. This version is more of a comforting fusion that fits right into the American slow cooker tradition.
