Description
An easy, hands-off slow cooker recipe featuring tender chicken thighs coated in a sticky, savory-sweet honey garlic glaze. Perfect for busy weeknights with minimal prep time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (optional, for searing)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (for thickening)
- Chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and water until the honey is dissolved.
- Place chicken thighs in the slow cooker. Optionally, sear chicken in a skillet with oil for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown for added flavor.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken, ensuring each piece is coated. If seared, scrape browned bits from the skillet into the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours, until chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove chicken from the slow cooker and set aside on a plate.
- Whisk the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch and cold water) and pour it into the sauce in the slow cooker. Stir well.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Return chicken to the slow cooker to coat in the thickened sauce. Serve over rice or noodles, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts. If using chicken breasts, reduce cooking time to 3-4 hours on LOW. For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari. The sauce can be frozen in ice cube trays for future use. Leftovers taste better the next day as flavors meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 24
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 35
Keywords: slow cooker, honey garlic chicken, easy dinner, weeknight meals, chicken thighs, gluten-free option, meal prep