Description
This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a flavorful and tender dish perfect for an easy weeknight dinner. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are slow-cooked in a delicious honey garlic sauce made with soy sauce, honey, ketchup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger, resulting in a savory-sweet, Asian-inspired meal. The sauce is thickened with a cornstarch slurry for a glossy finish and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Sauce
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Thickening Slurry
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Garnish
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs evenly in the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a base for the sauce to infuse the meat.
- Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, honey, ketchup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes if using, ensuring all ingredients are well combined to form the honey garlic sauce.
- Cook the Chicken: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken thighs, making sure each piece is coated. Cover the slow cooker and cook the chicken on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
- Shred the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken thighs from the slow cooker and shred them using two forks, breaking the meat into bite-sized pieces for better sauce coverage.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir this mixture into the sauce remaining in the slow cooker. Set the cooker to high and continue cooking for 15 to 20 minutes or until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
- Combine and Serve: Return the shredded chicken to the thickened sauce in the slow cooker. Stir well to coat all the chicken pieces evenly with the sauce. Serve hot, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and crunch.
Notes
- Serve this honey garlic chicken over rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute tamari for soy sauce.
- Chicken breasts can be used instead of thighs, but thighs yield a juicier, more flavorful result.
- Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level or omit them for a milder dish.
