Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Get ready for the most effortless yet incredibly delicious chicken dinner you’ll make all week! This honey garlic chicken practically makes itself in your slow cooker, filling your home with mouthwatering aromas that’ll have everyone asking “When’s dinner ready?”

The magic happens when tender chicken thighs slowly simmer in a perfectly balanced sauce that’s sweet, savory, and just a little bit sticky. The combination of honey, garlic, and soy sauce creates an irresistible glaze that coats every bite with restaurant-quality flavor.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

For the Sauce:

• 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

For Serving:

• Chopped scallions
• Sesame seeds
• Steamed rice (optional)

Instructions

1. Arrange chicken thighs in a 6-quart slow cooker in a single layer. Overlapping can lead to uneven cooking, so take time to spread them out properly.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients until well combined:
   • The soy sauce, honey, ketchup, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes
   • TIP: Measure honey last and use the same measuring cup as the soy sauce – the residual soy sauce helps the honey slide out easily
3. Pour sauce mixture evenly over the chicken. Cook on high for 3.5 hours or low for 6-8 hours until chicken is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
4. Create a slurry by mixing 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth. Stir into the slow cooker and cook on high for 15 minutes until sauce thickens noticeably.
5. Choose your preferred serving style:
   • Leave chicken pieces whole for a more formal presentation
   • Shred directly in the slow cooker using two forks for a more casual, family-style meal
6. Serve over hot rice, garnished with fresh scallions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Smart Swaps

• Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free option (use same amount)
• Substitute maple syrup for honey to make it less sweet (1/4 cup instead of 1/3 cup)
• Try chicken breasts instead of thighs (reduce cooking time by 30 minutes)

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Replace honey with monk fruit sweetener (1/4 cup)
• Use sugar-free ketchup to reduce carbs by 4g per serving
• Serve over cauliflower rice instead of regular rice (reduces carbs by 30g per serving)
• Add extra vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers to increase fiber

Pro Tips

• Pat chicken thighs dry before placing in slow cooker for better sauce adhesion
• Don’t lift the lid during cooking – each peek adds 15-20 minutes to cooking time
• For extra flavor, brown chicken thighs for 2-3 minutes per side before adding to slow cooker