This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is the perfect choice for busy weeknights. With tender chicken simmered in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, it’s a flavor-packed dish that requires minimal prep. Whether you’re looking for quick and easy recipes, easy recipes for dinner, easy chicken recipes, or easy crockpot recipes, this one checks all the boxes. It’s also perfect for easy meal prep recipes and fits right into your collection of easy recipes.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
3) Ingredients for Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
4) How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
5) Tips for Making Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
6) Making Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
8) Try these Chicken recipes next!
9) Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This is one of the best easy slow cooker recipes for busy families.
It features tender chicken thighs cooked in a savory-sweet honey garlic sauce.
Perfect for meal prep, weeknight dinners, or a stress-free gathering.
You only need simple pantry staples to create this rich and satisfying dish.

2) Easy Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

This easy slow cooker honey garlic chicken recipe is a true lifesaver for busy weeknights. It’s one of those quick and easy recipes that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it a top pick for those looking for easy recipes for dinner. With juicy, tender chicken slow-cooked to perfection in a deeply savory, sweet, and garlicky sauce, this dish never fails to impress. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just getting started, you’ll appreciate the simple steps and pantry-friendly ingredients. At Elena Cooks, we love helping you find easy chicken recipes that fit right into your lifestyle. And this one? It’s pure comfort food with a delicious twist. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or throwing dinner together for your family, this slow cooker recipe brings bold flavors and warm satisfaction with every bite. In fact, it has become one of our favorite easy crockpot recipes for any time of year.

3) Ingredients for Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are perfect for this recipe because they stay moist and tender after hours in the slow cooker. They’re more flavorful than chicken breasts and absorb the sauce wonderfully.

Soy Sauce: Use low-sodium soy sauce to keep the salt level in check. It adds a rich, umami base to the honey garlic sauce, helping to balance the sweetness from the honey.

Honey: The honey not only sweetens the dish but also helps create a glossy, thick glaze that clings beautifully to the shredded chicken. Try to use good-quality honey for the best flavor.

Ketchup: Adds tanginess and a little depth to the sauce. It’s a hidden ingredient that brings balance and color to the entire dish.

Hoisin Sauce: This Asian condiment gives the sauce complexity and a slightly smoky, sweet flavor. It’s optional, but definitely recommended for that extra umami richness.

Rice Vinegar: Adds acidity to cut through the richness. Just a splash helps brighten all the flavors in the dish.

Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is a must in this dish. It infuses the sauce with a pungent, savory aroma that’s simply irresistible.

Fresh Ginger: Adds a touch of warmth and spice. It complements the garlic and honey beautifully, giving the dish its signature flavor.

Sesame Oil: A drizzle of sesame oil provides a toasty, nutty depth. A little goes a long way here—don’t skip it!

Red Chili Flakes: Optional, but great if you like a bit of heat. They give the sauce a subtle kick that balances the sweetness.

Cornstarch: Used to thicken the sauce. Once the chicken is cooked, this ingredient helps turn the juices into a rich, sticky glaze.

Water: Combined with cornstarch to create a slurry. This mix helps thicken the sauce without lumps.

Cooked White Rice: The perfect base for soaking up all the delicious sauce. Feel free to swap with brown rice or noodles.

Green Onions & Sesame Seeds: For garnish. They add freshness, texture, and visual appeal to the final dish.

4) How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, ketchup, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and optional chili flakes. This flavorful mix will serve as the cooking liquid and base for your sauce.

Step 2: Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker and pour the sauce evenly over them. Make sure each piece is coated to soak up all the rich flavors as it cooks.

Step 3: Cover the slow cooker and set it to LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken shreds easily with a fork and the sauce has darkened and thickened slightly.

Step 4: Remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a plate or cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat thoroughly—it should fall apart effortlessly.

Step 5: In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Stir this into the sauce remaining in the slow cooker and turn the heat to HIGH. Cook for 10–15 more minutes to thicken the sauce.

Step 6: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to combine everything well. The sauce should now cling to the chicken beautifully, creating that irresistible glossy finish.

Step 7: Serve the chicken over white rice and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and crunch. This dish is one of the most satisfying easy slow cooker recipes you’ll ever try!

5) Tips for Making Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

If you’re looking to elevate your crockpot cooking, here are some tips. First, trim off excess fat from the chicken thighs to prevent greasy sauce. Second, be patient—letting the chicken cook slowly on LOW brings out the best flavor and ensures melt-in-your-mouth texture. Third, don’t skip the cornstarch slurry—it turns the broth into that sticky, finger-licking glaze that makes this recipe shine. If you’re short on hoisin sauce, a mix of soy sauce and brown sugar can substitute in a pinch. Lastly, add fresh garnishes like green onions and sesame seeds just before serving for that perfect finishing touch. This recipe is not only one of our favorite easy meal prep recipes, but it’s also forgiving and versatile enough for beginners.

6) Making Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Ahead of Time

One of the best things about this recipe from Elena Cooks is that it’s incredibly make-ahead friendly. Whether you’re planning meals for the week or prepping for a dinner party, you can prepare everything in advance. Simply follow the cooking instructions, shred the chicken, mix it with the sauce, and let it cool. Store it in airtight containers in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave. The sauce may thicken further when cold, so a splash of water or broth will help bring it back to its luscious consistency. As one of the best easy slow cooker recipes out there, it’s also great for freezing—portion it out and enjoy it whenever you need a quick dinner solution.

7) Storing Leftover Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Leftovers of this honey garlic chicken are just as delicious the next day. Store them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When reheating, use the microwave or stovetop. If the sauce has thickened too much, add a little water to loosen it. You can also freeze the chicken for up to 2 months—just make sure it’s cooled completely before freezing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly before serving. It’s a perfect candidate for meal prep, making it one of the top picks for easy recipes in any kitchen. Leftovers pair well with steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, or even in wraps for lunch!

8) Try these Chicken recipes next!

9) Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken