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
- 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)
Instructions
- Seasoning: Uniformly coat chicken pieces with salt and pepper, positioning them in a single layer within the crockpot for optimal heat distribution.
- Sauce Creation: Blend honey, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, thyme, and red pepper flakes into a harmonious marinade. Completely immerse chicken in this robust mixture.
- 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.
- Sauce Refinement: Remove chicken and transform remaining liquid into a glossy glaze by whisking cornstarch mixture, allowing sauce to thicken for 10-15 minutes.
- 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