If there’s one dish that instantly brings warmth to your table and a smile to everyone’s face, it’s Honey Garlic Chicken. I still remember my grandmother simmering her signature garlic-infused glaze while the whole kitchen filled with the sweet aroma of honey and soy. It was her go-to dish for busy nights, and it’s now mine — a beautiful blend of flavor and ease.
This recipe is a lifesaver for busy parents, hungry students, and anyone who wants a no-fuss, delicious chicken dinner recipe. With minimal prep and a slow cooker doing most of the work, it’s a dump-and-go miracle that tastes like you’ve been cooking all day.
Discover more tasty recipes on our Pinterest profile or follow us on Facebook for more family-friendly dinner ideas to fill your recipe box with flavorful inspiration!

In This Guide
What Is Honey Garlic Chicken?
Honey Garlic Chicken is an Asian-inspired slow cooker chicken dish where tender juicy chicken thighs are coated in a sticky, garlicky, sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. It’s a beautiful harmony of soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger with a subtle spicy kick from red pepper flakes (if you’re into that kind of thing!).
This dish is perfect for the slow cooker, but it also adapts beautifully to stovetop cooking — think one-pot meals made even easier.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what makes this dish magical:
- 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs or chicken breasts (for a leaner option)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- ½ cup soy sauce (low-sodium works best)
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup ketchup (for depth and a touch of tang)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
- Sesame seeds and chopped green onions (for garnish)
Optional but worth it:
- A broiler for that caramelized chicken finish.
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken (Slow Cooker Method)
This is the ultimate easy prep chicken — your dump-and-go meal for busy weeknights.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prep your chicken: Season the chicken thighs lightly with salt and pepper.
- Mix the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, ketchup, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
- Add everything to the slow cooker: Place the chicken at the bottom of your 6-quart crockpot, then pour the sauce over the top.
- Cook: Cover and cook on high for 2–3 hours or low for 4–5 hours.
- Thicken the sauce: Remove the chicken. In a small bowl, stir cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Pour it into the sauce and cook on high for 10–15 minutes, until it thickens.
- Optional broiling: Place chicken on a foil-lined baking sheet, spoon some sauce over it, and broil for 3–4 minutes until beautifully caramelized.
- Serve: Return chicken to sauce or spoon the thickened sauce on top. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Juicy and flavorful – That sauce clings to the chicken like a dream.
- Weeknight-friendly – 10 minutes of prep, and you’re golden.
- Freezer-friendly chicken – Great for batch cooking.
- Family dinner ideas – Even picky eaters adore this.
- Minimal cleanup – Your slow cooker handles everything.
Serving Suggestions
Wondering what goes with honey garlic chicken? You’ve got options:
- Serve with white rice to soak up the sauce
- Mashed potatoes or egg noodles for a comforting twist
- Roasted broccoli, green beans, or stir-fried bell peppers for that Asian-inspired side
- Garnish with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds
Tip: Use it for meal prep chicken — portion with rice and steamed veggies for a satisfying work lunch.
How to Store & Reheat
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Microwave until warm or gently heat on the stovetop.
- Freezing: Let cool completely, then freeze for up to 3 months.
Great for leftover chicken ideas — think wraps, salads, or rice bowls.
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Spicy Kick: Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha.
- Switch proteins: Use chicken breasts or bone-in thighs for different textures.
- Veg it up: Add bell peppers, broccoli, or snow peas during the last hour of cooking.
- Sauce too thick? Add a splash of water.
- Cooking without a slow cooker? Use a skillet and simmer the sauce until the chicken is cooked through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken breasts for this recipe?
Yes! Just reduce the cook time slightly, as chicken breasts cook faster and can dry out.
How to thicken honey garlic sauce?
Use a cornstarch slurry (2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water) and stir it into the hot sauce.
Can you freeze honey garlic chicken?
Absolutely! It’s a freezer-friendly chicken meal that tastes just as good reheated.
What vegetables go well with honey garlic chicken?
Think broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, snap peas — anything that soaks up sauce!
More Chicken Dinners You’ll Love
Craving more cozy and easy dinner ideas? We’ve got you covered!
- “Try this zesty Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Chicken for another easy dinner win.”
- “If you love sweet and savory, this Cheesy Honey Mustard Chicken is a must-try.”
- “Browse our collection of Spicy Chicken Recipes to turn up the heat at dinner.”
- “Switch things up with this Super Easy Chicken Lo Mein.”
Social & Engagement
“Follow us on Facebook for more family-friendly dinner ideas.”
“Discover more tasty recipes on our Pinterest profile.”
“Get inspired by our Dinner Magic board on Pinterest.”
Final Notes
Honey Garlic Chicken isn’t just a dish — it’s a comforting, sticky, sweet escape from the weekday chaos. Whether you serve it over fluffy rice or tucked into a wrap for lunch the next day, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ready to make magic in your kitchen? Let your slow cooker do the heavy lifting and enjoy the reward of a truly delicious home-cooked meal.
Print
Honey Garlic Chicken: Easy Slow Cooker Dinner Everyone Loves
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Sticky, sweet, and savory Honey Garlic Chicken made easy in the slow cooker. A cozy family-favorite with minimal prep and maximum flavor!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- ½ cup soy sauce (low-sodium)
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
- Sesame seeds and chopped green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season chicken thighs lightly with salt and pepper.
- In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, ketchup, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
- Place chicken in slow cooker and pour sauce over it.
- Cover and cook on high for 2–3 hours or low for 4–5 hours.
- Remove chicken. Mix cornstarch and water, add to sauce, and cook on high for 10–15 minutes to thicken.
- Optional: Broil chicken on foil-lined baking sheet with sauce for 3–4 minutes until caramelized.
- Return chicken to sauce or spoon sauce on top. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
Use low-sodium soy sauce to control saltiness. Great for meal prep. Store leftovers in fridge up to 4 days or freeze for 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: honey garlic chicken, slow cooker, easy dinner, sweet savory chicken