Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken (Printable Version)
Tender slow-cooked chicken in honey garlic sauce, served over rice, quinoa or veggies for easy weeknight dinners.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
→ Honey Garlic Sauce
02 - 1/2 cup honey
03 - 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
04 - 1/4 cup ketchup
05 - 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce (optional, for extra depth)
06 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
08 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
→ Finishing & Serving
11 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch
12 - 2 tablespoons cold water
13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or green onions (for garnish)
14 - Cooked rice, quinoa, or steamed vegetables (for serving)
# How To Make:
01 - Place the chicken breasts in an even layer across the bottom of the slow cooker.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, hoisin sauce (if using), minced garlic, grated ginger, vinegar, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
03 - Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken breasts. Cover the slow cooker and cook on High for 4 hours or on Low for 6 to 7 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
04 - Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and transfer to a plate. Shred using two forks, or leave the breasts whole if preferred.
05 - In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Pour the slurry into the sauce remaining in the slow cooker and stir to incorporate.
06 - Return the shredded or whole chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat evenly in the sauce. Cover and cook on High for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Serve hot over rice, quinoa, or steamed vegetables, garnished with fresh parsley or green onions.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sauce balances sweet, savory, and just enough tang that you will want to lick the slow cooker insert clean.
- It requires exactly ten minutes of morning effort and zero babysitting, which makes it the ultimate weeknight survival recipe.
02 -
- Always mix cornstarch with cold water because hot liquid will cause it to clump into unappealing lumps instantly.
- Opening the slow cooker lid repeatedly during cooking lets precious heat escape and adds thirty minutes each time you peek.
03 -
- Searing the chicken breasts for two minutes per side before slow cooking creates a subtle crust that adds surprising depth to the final dish.
- Double the sauce ingredients and freeze half in a zip top bag with raw chicken for an almost instant meal on a chaotic future morning.