Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

If your weeknights are a blur of activity, let your appliance do the heavy lifting while you reclaim your evening. This method for slow cooker honey garlic chicken requires just a few minutes of prep in the morning for a spectacular, hands-off dinner ready when you are.

I remember the first time I made this dish. It was one of those chaotic Tuesdays, the kind where you’re trying to answer emails, help with homework, and figure out dinner all at the same time. I tossed everything into the crockpot, crossed my fingers, and went about my day. Hours later, I walked into a kitchen filled with the most incredible aroma—sweet, savory, and deeply comforting. That’s the magic of this slow cooker honey garlic chicken. It’s the ultimate cozy meal that cooks itself, turning simple ingredients into a family favorite without any fuss. It’s the kind of recipe that makes a regular Tuesday feel special, proving that great food doesn’t have to be complicated.

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Ingredients List

This slow cooker honey garlic chicken recipe is built on a foundation of simple, flavorful ingredients you likely already have. The beauty is in the balance—the sweet honey, the punch of garlic, and a touch of savory soy all meld together as they cook low and slow.

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 6-8 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (for thickening, optional)
• For garnish: sliced green onions, sesame seeds

Smart Swaps & Dietary Notes:

• Chicken: I often use a mix of breasts and thighs. Thighs stay incredibly juicy, while breasts are leaner. Both work perfectly.
• Gluten-Free: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
• Less Sweet: Reduce the honey to 1/3 cup and add an extra tablespoon of soy sauce.
• No Ketchup? Substitute with 2 tablespoons of tomato paste mixed with 2 tablespoons of water and a pinch of sugar.

Timing

One of the best parts of this crockpot chicken breast recipe is the forgiving timeline. It’s perfect for a busy day.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 3-4 hours on HIGH or 6-7 hours on LOW
• Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes to 7 hours 10 minutes (mostly hands-off!)

Compared to many oven-baked dishes, this method is about 80% hands-off time. You get all the flavor of a slow-roasted meal with just a fraction of the active effort.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making this slow cooker honey garlic chicken is as straightforward as it gets. Here’s how to bring it all together.

1. Prep the Chicken. Pat your chicken breasts or thighs dry with a paper towel. This helps the sauce cling better. You can leave them whole or cut them into large chunks—whole pieces will be extra tender and shreddable, while chunks cook a bit faster.
2. Make the Sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and black pepper. Taste it! You should get a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and tangy. Adjust to your liking.
3. Combine & Cook. Place the chicken in the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the top. Give it a gentle stir to coat. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. The chicken is done when it’s tender and easily shreds with a fork.
4. Thicken the Sauce (Optional). If you prefer a thicker, glossier sauce like I do, this step is key. Carefully remove the cooked chicken to a plate. Whisk the cornstarch and cold water slurry into the hot liquid in the crockpot. Cover and cook on HIGH for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the sauce has thickened. Return the chicken to the pot and stir to coat.
5. Serve & Garnish. Shred the chicken with two forks right in the pot or serve it in whole pieces. Spoon plenty of that glorious sauce over the top and garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Nutritional Information

A serving of this slow cooker honey garlic chicken (about 1 cup of shredded chicken with sauce) provides a satisfying and balanced meal.

• Calories: ~320
• Protein: 35g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fat: 7g

This dish is an excellent source of lean protein from the chicken, which helps keep you full. The garlic offers allicin, a compound with noted health benefits, while using a moderate amount of honey provides sweetness without overdoing refined sugars. For a lower-carb option, see the swaps below.

Equipment Needed

You don’t need any fancy gadgets for this crockpot recipe. Your trusty slow cooker is the star.

• A 4-6 quart slow cooker or crockpot
• A mixing bowl and whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• A sharp knife and cutting board (for mincing garlic)
• Tongs or a slotted spoon for removing the chicken

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This slow cooker honey garlic chicken has earned a permanent spot in my dinner rotation for so many reasons.

• Maximum Flavor, Minimum Effort. It’s the definition of a set-it-and-forget-it meal. The slow cooker does all the work, infusing the chicken with incredible depth.
• The Ultimate Weeknight Savior. It transforms a hectic evening into a calm, delicious dinner. Coming home to a ready meal is a game-changer.
• Incredibly Versatile. Serve it over rice, noodles, in lettuce wraps, or on slider buns. The leftovers are arguably even better the next day.
• Family-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing. The sweet and savory sauce is a universal hit with both kids and adults. It’s a guaranteed empty-plates kind of dinner.
• Perfect for Summer. As one of my favorite summer crockpot recipes, it keeps your kitchen cool while still delivering a hearty, homemade meal.

Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe

You can easily tweak this slow cooker honey garlic chicken to fit different dietary needs without sacrificing an ounce of flavor.

• Lower Sugar / Keto-Friendly: Replace the honey with a sugar-free maple syrup or a monk fruit sweetener blend. Use a no-sugar-added ketchup or tomato paste.
• Higher Protein: Stick with chicken breasts and serve over a bed of quinoa or cauliflower rice for an extra protein and fiber boost.
• Soy-Free / Paleo: Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. They provide a similar salty-umami flavor perfectly.
• Whole30 Compliant: Use coconut aminos, omit the ketchup (or use a compliant brand), and replace the honey with date paste or leave the sweetener out entirely for a more savory profile.

Serving Suggestions

This dish is a blank canvas for your favorite sides. Here’s how I love to serve it.

• Over a Bed of: Fluffy white or brown rice, cauliflower rice, quinoa, or lo mein noodles.
• With Veggies: Steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or a quick stir-fry of bell peppers and snap peas are perfect for soaking up the sauce.
• For a Lighter Meal: Serve it in crisp butter lettuce cups topped with extra green onions and a squeeze of lime.
• As Sandwiches: Pile the shredded honey garlic chicken onto toasted brioche buns or Hawaiian rolls for an epic sandwich.
• Looking for similar cozy meals? Try my Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken for a bright, herby twist, or my rich Crockpot Creamy Tuscan Chicken when you’re in the mood for something decadent.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A few simple tips will guarantee perfect slow cooker honey garlic chicken every single time.

• Overcooking the Chicken. Especially with breasts, cooking too long can lead to dry meat. Use a meat thermometer if unsure—it should reach 165°F internally. Thighs are more forgiving.
• Skipping the Sauce Thicken. The sauce straight from the cooker is delicious but thin. Taking 5 extra minutes to make a cornstarch slurry creates a luxurious, sticky glaze that clings to the chicken beautifully.
• Using Bottled Minced Garlic. Fresh garlic makes a world of difference in flavor for this recipe. The pre-minced jarred kind can taste bitter after long cooking.
• Not Tasting the Sauce First. Always taste your sauce mixture before pouring it over the chicken. This is your chance to adjust the sweet-salty balance to your personal preference.
• Crowding with Frozen Chicken. While you can cook from frozen, it will water down your sauce significantly. For the best flavor, use thawed or fresh chicken.

Storing Tips for the Recipe

This dish is a meal prep dream and stores wonderfully.

• Refrigerator: Store leftover slow cooker honey garlic chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors continue to meld and deepen.
• Freezer: Cool the chicken and sauce completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. It will keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating: Gently reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce seems too thick. You can also microwave it in a covered dish, stirring occasionally.

Conclusion

This slow cooker honey garlic chicken is more than just a recipe; it’s a reliable strategy for a calmer, more delicious weeknight. It delivers that homemade comfort food feeling without the stress, proving that the best dinners are often the simplest. The tender chicken soaked in that sweet, garlicky, savory sauce is a combination that never gets old.

I hope this recipe becomes a trusted favorite in your home, too. Give it a try on your next busy day and taste the difference a little planning can make. I’d love to hear how it turns out for you—leave a comment below and tell me your favorite way to serve it! And if you’re looking for more easy, flavor-packed ideas, check out my Crockpot BBQ Pulled Chicken for another hands-off winner, or my Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs if you love that sweet-and-savory balance. For a special occasion glaze, my Irish Whiskey Glazed Chicken is always a hit.

Happy, easy cooking

FAQs about Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

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