Honey Garlic Chicken: Easy Slow Cooker Dinner Everyone Loves

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!

Honey Garlic Sauce Drizzled Over Chicken and Rice
Honey Garlic Chicken: Easy Slow Cooker Dinner Everyone Loves 10

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:

  1. Prep your chicken: Season the chicken thighs lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Mix the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, ketchup, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
  3. Add everything to the slow cooker: Place the chicken at the bottom of your 6-quart crockpot, then pour the sauce over the top.
  4. Cook: Cover and cook on high for 2–3 hours or low for 4–5 hours.
  5. 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.
  6. Optional broiling: Place chicken on a foil-lined baking sheet, spoon some sauce over it, and broil for 3–4 minutes until beautifully caramelized.
  7. Serve: Return chicken to sauce or spoon the thickened sauce on top. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Plated Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice and Sesame Garnish
Honey Garlic Chicken: Easy Slow Cooker Dinner Everyone Loves 11

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

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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
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Close-up of glazed honey garlic chicken thighs topped with sesame seeds and scallions in a rich soy-honey sauce.

Honey Garlic Chicken: Easy Slow Cooker Dinner Everyone Loves


  • Author: Lina Hart
  • 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

Scale
  • 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

  1. Season chicken thighs lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, ketchup, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
  3. Place chicken in slow cooker and pour sauce over it.
  4. Cover and cook on high for 2–3 hours or low for 4–5 hours.
  5. Remove chicken. Mix cornstarch and water, add to sauce, and cook on high for 10–15 minutes to thicken.
  6. Optional: Broil chicken on foil-lined baking sheet with sauce for 3–4 minutes until caramelized.
  7. 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

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