If you’re looking for a dinner recipe that’s super simple but bursting with flavor, this Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken is it. Picture this: tender chicken, coated in a sticky-sweet honey garlic sauce that’s just the right balance of savory and sweet. And the best part? You just dump everything into the crockpot and let it do all the work. It’s perfect for busy days when you want something delicious with absolutely no effort!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken is everything you want in a meal—easy, flavorful, and satisfying. The sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and garlic come together in the most incredible way, creating a sauce that’s perfect for drizzling over rice, vegetables, or even just eating by the spoonful (don’t worry, we’ve all done it!). Plus, the chicken cooks so perfectly in the crockpot that it practically falls apart when you shred it. It’s one of those recipes that makes your house smell amazing and gives you a meal that everyone will love.
Ingredients
(Full list of ingredients is at the bottom!)
Here’s a sneak peek of the key ingredients that make this recipe so irresistible:
- Chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
- Honey
- Soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free version)
- Garlic (minced)
- Olive oil
- Apple cider vinegar (for a little tang)
- Cornstarch (to thicken the sauce)
The combination of these ingredients is simple, yet it transforms into a mouthwatering dish that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Spoiler: you won’t need to!
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by placing your chicken breasts into the crockpot. You don’t need to do any fancy prep—just lay the chicken in there whole. The slow cooking will make it so tender, you’ll be able to shred it easily with a fork.
Step 2: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
In a separate bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, olive oil, and apple cider vinegar. This is the sauce that will coat your chicken and give it that perfect sweet-and-savory flavor. Pour the sauce over the chicken in the crockpot, making sure it’s all covered.
Step 3: Slow Cook the Chicken
Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. The chicken will soak up all the delicious sauce and become incredibly tender as it cooks.
Step 4: Shred the Chicken
Once the chicken is fully cooked, take it out of the crockpot and shred it using two forks. It should be so tender that it practically falls apart. After shredding, return the chicken to the crockpot, stirring it into the sauce so it’s fully coated.
Step 5: Thicken the Sauce
In a small bowl, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of water to create a slurry. Pour this mixture into the crockpot and stir to combine. This will help thicken the sauce and make it extra sticky and delicious. Let it cook on high for an additional 15-20 minutes until the sauce has thickened up.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Tender chicken: If you want ultra-tender chicken, use chicken thighs instead of breasts. Thighs have a bit more fat and will stay juicier.
- Make it spicy: If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the honey garlic mixture.
- Garlic overload: If you’re a garlic fan (like me), you can add more garlic to the sauce for extra flavor. Just don’t go too crazy unless you want to smell like garlic for days!
- Thickening the sauce: If you don’t have cornstarch, you can also use a little flour or arrowroot powder to thicken the sauce. Just be sure to mix it with water first to avoid lumps.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Chicken thighs: As mentioned, swapping chicken breasts for chicken thighs will give you a richer, juicier result. You can also use bone-in chicken for a more flavorful dish.
- Sweeteners: If you want a different twist, you could swap out honey for maple syrup or agave nectar for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Soy sauce alternatives: For a gluten-free version, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of regular soy sauce. These work just as well in the sauce.
- Add some veggies: You can toss some vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or broccoli into the crockpot with the chicken for a complete one-pot meal. Just make sure to add them a little later in the cooking process if you don’t want them to get too soft.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
This Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken is incredibly versatile and pairs well with so many sides:
- Rice: Serve the chicken over steamed white rice, jasmine rice, or even cauliflower rice for a lighter option. The sauce soaks into the rice perfectly.
- Noodles: Toss the chicken and sauce over some cooked noodles for a quick pasta dish that’s full of flavor.
- Roasted vegetables: Pair this with roasted veggies like broccoli, green beans, or carrots to balance out the sweetness of the chicken.
- Salad: If you’re looking for a lighter option, serve the chicken alongside a crisp green salad with a tangy dressing.
Storage and Reheating Tips
This recipe makes fantastic leftovers! Store any extra chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to eat it again, simply reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. If the sauce has thickened too much in the fridge, just add a little splash of water or broth when reheating to loosen it up.
You can also freeze the honey garlic chicken! Let it cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating, and it’ll taste just as delicious as the first time.
4 FAQs
- Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts, but make sure to cook it on high for about 4 hours to ensure it’s cooked through. - Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! If you’re feeding a crowd, just double the ingredients and make sure your crockpot is large enough to hold everything. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly. - Can I skip the cornstarch?
You can, but it’ll make the sauce a little thinner. If you prefer a thicker sauce, the cornstarch really helps create that nice sticky consistency. - Can I add more garlic to the sauce?
Definitely! If you’re a garlic lover, feel free to add an extra clove or two. Just keep in mind that the garlic flavor will be more pronounced the longer it cooks.
Conclusion
Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken is the kind of recipe that makes dinner feel like a celebration with minimal effort. It’s easy, it’s packed with flavor, and it’s perfect for meal prep or a busy weeknight. Whether you serve it over rice, noodles, or veggies, you’re guaranteed a delicious, comforting meal every time. Give this recipe a try, and I promise you’ll be making it again and again!
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Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken: The Easiest and Most Flavorful Chicken You’ll Ever Make
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes (for low)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American, Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken is an easy, flavorful, and tender dish. With a simple honey garlic sauce, the chicken cooks in the crockpot until it’s perfectly tender and juicy. The sweet and savory flavors make it the ideal meal for busy days.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free version)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, olive oil, and apple cider vinegar. Pour the sauce over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender.
- Shred the chicken with two forks and return it to the sauce in the crockpot.
- Mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Stir the slurry into the sauce and cook on high for 15-20 minutes to thicken the sauce.
Notes
- If you prefer chicken thighs, they will provide a richer flavor and stay juicier than breasts.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- You can substitute tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of the recipe
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 70mg