Description
This Slow-Cooker Honey-Garlic Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender, juicy chicken thighs cooked in a sweet and savory sauce with garlic, ginger, and honey. Perfect served over hot rice and garnished with sliced green onions, it’s a comforting meal that requires minimal prep and lets the slow cooker do all the work.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 12 medium-sized skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about 3 lb.)
- 1 Tbsp. canola oil
Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
- 2 tsp. grated peeled fresh ginger
- 8 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup butter, chopped
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. cornstarch
For Serving
- Hot cooked rice
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, paprika, and kosher salt. Rub the mixture evenly over the chicken thighs to coat them thoroughly.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat canola oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side, until golden. This step adds extra flavor but can be skipped if short on time.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Place the browned chicken thighs into the slow cooker in a single layer.
- Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, and chopped butter. Pour this sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Thicken the Sauce: Once the chicken is done, carefully remove the thighs and set aside. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with a few tablespoons of water until smooth. Stir this slurry into the sauce in the slow cooker, then cover and cook on high for an additional 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Serve: Return the chicken to the thickened sauce, spoon over more sauce, and serve hot over cooked rice. Garnish with sliced green onions for a fresh, flavorful finish.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts if preferred, but thighs tend to stay juicier during slow cooking.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- If you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the honey to 1/3 cup.
- Skipping the browning step will result in a quicker prep but less depth of flavor.
- The sauce can be simmered on the stovetop for a few minutes if you want to thicken it faster instead of using the slow cooker.
