Heavenly Honey Garlic Chicken Crockpot Recipe for Beginners

Slow-cooked magic happens when tender chicken meets a mouthwatering honey garlic crockpot recipe that turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Home cooks adore how simple ingredients blend into a rich, aromatic dish.

This comforting recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Succulent chicken pieces soak up a sweet and savory sauce that will make everyone at the table ask for seconds.

Weeknight dinners become something special with just a few pantry staples and your trusty crockpot.

Minimal prep means you can spend less time cooking and more time enjoying a delicious, hearty meal.

Let’s dive into a recipe that promises to become a family favorite, one spoonful at a time.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 hours (low) / 23 hours (high)

Total Time: 45 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 4

Honey Garlic Chicken Ingredient Rundown

• Chicken: Select boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for tender, juicy results; fresh, high-quality meat ensures better flavor and texture.

• Honey, Soy Sauce, Ketchup: Create a balanced sweet and savory liquid that caramelizes beautifully while tenderizing the chicken; choose pure honey and low-sodium soy sauce for better control of saltiness.
• Garlic: Provides deep, aromatic flavor; use fresh minced garlic for more vibrant taste compared to pre-processed garlic.
• Thyme: Adds subtle herbaceous notes that complement the rich sauce; dried thyme works perfectly if fresh is unavailable.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces gentle heat and complexity; adjust quantity based on spice preference.

• Cornstarch: Creates silky, glossy sauce texture; mix with cold water to prevent lumps and ensure smooth consistency.
• Sesame Seeds: Offers nutty crunch and visual appeal as a garnish; lightly toasted seeds enhance flavor.
• Green Onions: Provides fresh, sharp contrast to the rich sauce; thinly slice for elegant presentation.

Tools That Make Crockpot Chicken Easy

• Crockpot: Essential for slow-cooking the chicken to tender perfection.
• Small bowl: Perfect for mixing the honey garlic sauce ingredients.
• Whisk: Helps blend the sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
• Cutting board: Useful for preparing garnishes like green onions.
• Sharp knife: Needed for slicing green onions and preparing garnishes.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps stir the cornstarch slurry and mix sauce.

Slow Cook Chicken in Honey Garlic Goodness

• Chicken Prep

Grab your favorite cut of chicken and give it a flavor boost with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Nestle the seasoned chicken into your trusty slow cooker.

• Sauce

Whip up a mouthwatering sauce by blending honey, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, thyme, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you’re feeling spicy. Pour this liquid gold right over the chicken.

• Slow Cook Brilliance

Pop the lid on and let your crockpot work its. Let it simmer on low for about 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until the chicken is so tender it practically falls apart.

• Sauce Transformation

Carefully lift out the chicken and set it aside. Give the sauce a quick stir and let it bubble up and thicken for a few extra minutes. Reunite the chicken with its gorgeous sauce, making sure every piece gets a glossy coating.

• Plate and Enjoy

Serve your succulent chicken over a bed of fluffy rice, surrounded by some crisp steamed veggies. Sprinkle some sesame seeds and green onions on top for that restaurant-worthy finishing touch.

Tips for Tender Meat and Rich Sauce

• Ensure chicken is in a single layer for even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
• Adjust honey and soy sauce ratio to balance sweetness and saltiness according to personal taste preferences.
• Freeze leftover chicken in sauce for up to 3 months, making future quick and delicious meals.
• Swap chicken for tofu or tempeh to create a vegetarian version; use gluten-free soy sauce for a gluten-sensitive diet.
• Add ginger or swap red pepper flakes with sriracha for an extra kick of heat and depth of flavor.

Serve Over Rice, Veggies, or Pasta

• Flavor-Packed Plate Companion: Serve this succulent honey garlic chicken over fluffy jasmine or basmati rice to soak up the delicious sauce, creating a complete meal that bursts with tantalizing flavors.
• Veggie Sidekick Suggestion: Pair the chicken with roasted broccoli, crispy roasted carrots, or steamed bok choy to add vibrant colors, nutrients, and a perfect textural contrast to the tender meat.
• Garnish Glamour: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions on top for a fresh crunch, added visual appeal, and an extra layer of subtle, aromatic flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• Leftover: Transform remaining chicken into delectable wraps, stuff into warm pita bread, or toss with a fresh salad for a quick and satisfying next-day lunch that keeps the culinary excitement alive.

Store in Portions for Freezer Meals

• Plan this chicken dish for busy weeknights when time is tight. Prepare ingredients the night before to streamline cooking process and reduce morning stress.
• Store leftover chicken in airtight containers for 34 days. Keep sauce separate to maintain meat's moisture and prevent soggy texture.
• Freeze cooked chicken and sauce in sealed freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating gently to preserve tenderness.
• Double the recipe and create multiple meals. Use extra chicken in salads, sandwiches, or quick lunch wraps for efficient meal planning throughout the week.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen chicken in this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but increase cooking time by 1-2 hours and ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C for food safety.

• Is there a substitute for honey if I don't have it?

You can replace honey with maple syrup or brown sugar mixed with a little water to achieve a similar sweet consistency.

• How spicy is this dish with red pepper flakes?

The red pepper flakes add a mild heat that isn’t overwhelming. You can adjust the amount or omit them completely for a milder flavor.

• Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot instead of a crockpot?

Absolutely! Cook on high pressure for 10-12 minutes, then do a quick release and follow the same sauce thickening steps.

Effortless Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Savory Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken brings together sweet and tangy flavors in a simple slow-cooker meal. Tender chicken thighs simmer in a rich, aromatic sauce that promises comfort and satisfaction for dinner.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• ⅓ cup (79 ml / 2.7 fl oz) honey
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsps (30 ml / 1 fl oz) ketchup
• 1 tsp (5 g / 0.2 oz) dried thyme or ½ tsp (2.5 g / 0.1 oz) fresh thyme leaves
• ½ tsp (1 g / 0.04 oz) red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp (8 g / 0.3 oz) cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsps (30 ml / 1 fl oz) water
• Cooked white or brown rice
• Steamed broccoli or mixed vegetables
• Sesame seeds (for garnish)
• Green onions (for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Seasoning: Uniformly coat chicken pieces with salt and pepper, positioning them in a single layer within the crockpot for optimal heat distribution.
2. Sauce Creation: Blend honey, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, thyme, and red pepper flakes into a harmonious marinade. Completely immerse chicken in this robust mixture.
3. Slow Cooking: Cover and cook on low setting for 4-5 hours or high setting for 2-3 hours until chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F/74°C.
4. Sauce Refinement: Remove chicken and transform remaining liquid into a glossy glaze by whisking cornstarch mixture, allowing sauce to thicken for 10-15 minutes.
5. Plating: Reunite chicken with enriched sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Serve atop steamed rice and seasonal vegetables, garnishing with toasted sesame seeds and green onion slivers for a sophisticated presentation.

Notes

• Chicken Placement Strategy: Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer to ensure uniform heat distribution and consistent cooking throughout the slow cooker.
• Sauce Balancing Technique: Adjust honey and soy sauce ratios to control sweetness and saltiness, allowing customization of flavor profile for different taste preferences.
• Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches exact 165°F internal temperature, preventing undercooking while maintaining juicy texture.
• Glaze Thickness Control: Gradually add cornstarch mixture and stir continuously to achieve perfect sauce consistency without creating lumps or overly thick coating.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4-5 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 23 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 4 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg