Name: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 30 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts; ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce; ⅓ cup honey; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 2 teaspoons chili paste (sambal oelek, sriracha, or hot sauce of choice); 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; Prepared brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice; Toasted sesame seeds; Chopped green onion

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 6 reviews

There’s a reason Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken has become my ultimate go-to for busy weeknights and effortless entertaining: it delivers maximum sweet-savory flavor with minimal effort. Each bite features meltingly tender chicken coated in a sticky, garlicky honey sauce with a gentle kick, all thanks to a handful of everyday pantry ingredients. Whether you serve it over fluffy brown rice, quinoa, or crunchy cauliflower rice, this dish always draws rave reviews—trust me, you’ll want to make a double batch!

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic behind Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays an essential role, bringing depth, balance, and texture to this crave-worthy dish. Gather these basics, and you’re already halfway there to bold flavor and melt-in-your-mouth chicken.

Chicken thighs or breasts: Choose boneless, skinless thighs for extra juiciness, or breasts if you prefer leaner meat—they both absorb the sauce beautifully.
Low-sodium soy sauce: Provides the backbone of savory umami flavor, while keeping things from getting too salty.
Honey: The natural sweetness balances the savory soy and spicy chili, creating that irresistible sticky glaze.
Tomato paste: Gives body and a touch of tang, helping to thicken and enrich the sauce.
Chili paste (sambal oelek, sriracha, or your favorite hot sauce): Adds just the right amount of heat—adjust up or down to suit your spice tolerance.
Fresh garlic, minced: No skimping here! Essential for that deep, aromatic garlic punch that makes the sauce unforgettable.
Rice vinegar: Brightens everything up, preventing the sauce from feeling too heavy and balancing the sweetness.
Cornstarch: A quick stir-in at the end transforms the sauce into a luscious, glossy coating for your chicken.
Brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice (for serving): The perfect base to soak up all that saucy goodness—pick your favorite!
Toasted sesame seeds: Finish with a sprinkle for nutty crunch and extra visual appeal.
Chopped green onion: Adds fresh color and a sharp, oniony accent right before serving.

How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

Lay your chicken pieces in the bottom of a 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker. You can use chicken thighs for their richer flavor or breasts for a leaner bite—either way, they’ll soak up all that delicious honey garlic sauce to come.

Step 2: Mix the Sauce

In a medium-sized bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, tomato paste, chili paste, minced garlic, and rice vinegar. This fragrant mixture is what creates that signature sticky, garlicky glaze in Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken.

Step 3: Cook Low and Slow

Pour your sweet and savory sauce all over the chicken, making sure everything is nicely coated. Pop the lid on and set the slow cooker to LOW for 4 to 5 hours, or HIGH for 2 to 3 hours. For extra flavor, flip the chicken halfway through—if you remember! The chicken is done when it reaches 165 degrees F and is fork-tender.

Step 4: Thicken the Sauce

Remove the chicken to a plate so it can cool a bit. In the meantime, whisk cornstarch into the cooking liquid directly in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for about 15 minutes, letting the sauce bubble and thicken. If you like a thicker sauce, leave it for up to 30 minutes, or speed up the process by transferring the sauce to a saucepan and bubbling on the stove for 5-10 minutes.

Step 5: Shred and Sauce

Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces. Add the chicken back to your thickened sauce and toss so every flavorful morsel gets cloaked in that sticky honey garlic glaze. Your Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is ready to serve!

How to Serve Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Garnishes

Don’t skip the garnishes—they make all the difference! A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds offers nutty crunch, while fresh green onion brings a splash of color and brightness that pops against the glossy sauce.

Side Dishes

I love piling this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken high over bowls of steaming brown rice, nutty quinoa, or even low-carb cauliflower rice. For veggies, keep it simple with quick-steamed broccoli, snap peas, or a side salad tossed in a zippy sesame vinaigrette.

Creative Ways to Present

Take your presentation up a notch by serving this chicken family-style with lettuce cups for DIY wraps, or tucked into steamed bao buns if you want something extra fun. It’s also a wildly popular filling for meal-prep bowls layered with veggies and grains.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken makes lunchtime a breeze! Simply let the chicken cool completely, then pack it into an airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to 4 days without losing any of its signature saucy goodness.

Freezing

This dish is freezer-friendly too. Freeze cooled chicken and sauce together in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. When you need a quick dinner, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat for a no-fuss meal.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the chicken and sauce in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed. The microwave works in a pinch—just cover loosely and heat until steamy. Give everything a good stir to evenly distribute the tasty sauce before serving.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken?

It’s best to thaw your chicken first before adding it to the slow cooker. This ensures safe, even cooking and keeps the chicken tender and juicy. If you’re in a time crunch, use the microwave or place the chicken in cold water to speed up thawing.

What’s the ideal cut of chicken for this recipe?

Both chicken thighs and breasts work beautifully, but thighs tend to be a bit more forgiving and stay extra moist during the long cook time. Breasts are great too if you prefer leaner meals—just watch for doneness since they may cook a tad faster.

Can I make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken spicier?

Absolutely! Simply increase the amount of chili paste or your favorite hot sauce until it’s as fiery as you like. For a milder version, use just a touch or skip it altogether.

What can I use instead of rice vinegar?

If you don’t have rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar are excellent substitutes. They’ll provide that same needed acidity to lighten up the sauce.

Is Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken gluten-free?

It can be! Just make sure to use gluten-free soy sauce (like tamari) and double-check that your chili paste and other condiments are gluten-free. Serve it over cauliflower rice for a truly gluten- and grain-free meal.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving an easy dinner that still feels special, Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a guaranteed winner. It’s fuss-free, crowd-pleasing, and packs a flavor punch that always leaves everyone asking for seconds. Give it a try—you’ll be so glad you did!