Easy Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
This Easy Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken thighs simmered in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce with a hint of chili paste for a subtle kick. Perfect for busy weeknights, this slow cooker dish requires minimal prep and yields flavorful chicken that can be served over rice or vegetables. With a thickened sauce made from the slow-cooked juices, it’s comfort food made simple and satisfying.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
Sauce
- ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons chili paste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Place the chicken: Arrange the boneless skinless chicken thighs at the bottom of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker, ensuring they’re evenly placed for uniform cooking.
- Prepare the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, tomato paste, chili paste, minced garlic, and rice vinegar until fully combined into a smooth sauce.
- Coat the chicken: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken thighs, making sure each piece is thoroughly coated. Cover the crock pot with its lid and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Flip the chicken (optional): To ensure even cooking and sauce distribution, carefully flip the chicken pieces halfway through the cooking time, if possible.
- Remove and shred chicken: Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and let it cool slightly to allow easier shredding.
- Thicken the sauce: Whisk the cornstarch into the liquid remaining in the slow cooker until smooth. Return the shredded chicken to the crock pot, stir to combine, cover, and cook on high for about 15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Serve: Spoon the saucy honey garlic chicken over cooked rice or steamed vegetables for a delicious, hearty meal.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts if preferred, but thighs stay juicier during slow cooking.
- Adjust the chili paste quantity to control the heat level according to your taste.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce substitute.
- Flipping the chicken halfway is optional but improves sauce coverage.
- Serve with steamed rice or your favorite vegetables to complete the meal.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
