Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Looking for an easy, savory dish that will leave your taste buds dancing? Look no further than this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken.

With a rich blend of honey, soy sauce, and a touch of heat, this recipe is a foolproof way to create a mouthwatering meal with minimal effort.

The beauty of this dish lies in the slow cooker, which tenderizes the chicken, allowing all the flavors to meld together perfectly. Whether you’re serving it over rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice, it’s sure to be a hit at the dinner table.

Ingredients List

Chicken Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
• ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• ⅓ cup honey
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons chili paste (such as sambal oelek, sriracha, or your preferred hot sauce)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

For Serving

• Prepared brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice
• Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
• Chopped green onion (for garnish)

Required Kitchen Tools

When preparing this delicious slow cooker dish, these kitchen tools will make your experience smooth and efficient:

1. Slow Cooker: The star of the show, a 6-quart or larger slow cooker will give you the best results for tender, flavorful chicken.
2. Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precision is key when measuring ingredients like soy sauce, honey, and vinegar.
3. Whisk: You’ll need a whisk to combine the sauce ingredients and ensure an even consistency.
4. Measuring Spoons: Use these for measuring smaller ingredients like chili paste and cornstarch.
5. Instant-Read Thermometer: To ensure the chicken is cooked perfectly, check for an internal temperature of 165°F.
6. Forks or Tongs: To shred the chicken once it’s done cooking and tenderized.

With these tools at hand, you’ll be set up for success in making this flavorful dish.

Cooking the Chicken

The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting in this recipe. With minimal effort, you’ll have tender, juicy chicken coated in a deliciously savory sauce. Follow these simple steps to get started:

Preparing the Sauce

Start by placing your chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker. This is where all the magic begins! In a medium-sized mixing bowl (or large measuring cup), whisk together the following ingredients:

• Low-sodium soy sauce
• Honey
• Tomato paste
• Chili paste (or your chosen hot sauce)
• Minced garlic
• Rice vinegar

Once everything is combined, pour this mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. The sauce will infuse the chicken with deep flavor as it slowly cooks. Make sure the chicken is well-coated to ensure every bite is packed with taste!

Slow Cooking the Chicken

Cover your slow cooker and set it to cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours. You’ll know the chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F on an instant-read thermometer. For best results, flip the chicken halfway through if possible. Don’t worry if you can’t, the chicken will still turn out just as delicious!

Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and set it aside on a plate to cool slightly.

Thickening the Sauce and Shredding the Chicken

Now that your chicken is cooked to perfection, it’s time to work on the sauce and shred the chicken to make it even more irresistible.

Thickening the Sauce

To thicken the sauce, whisk 2 tablespoons of cornstarch into the cooking liquid left in the slow cooker. If you have time, cover and cook the sauce on HIGH for an additional 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll notice the sauce will thicken up, giving it a more luscious texture that coats the chicken beautifully.

If you want the sauce to be even thicker, you can let it cook for up to 30 minutes in the slow cooker. Alternatively, you can speed up the process by transferring the sauce to a medium saucepan on the stove. Simmer over medium heat for 5-10 minutes until the sauce reduces to your desired consistency.

Pro Tip: If your slow cooker insert is stovetop-safe, you can carefully place it on the stove to thicken the sauce directly.

Shredding the Chicken

Once the chicken has cooled slightly, use two forks (or your hands if the chicken is cool enough) to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. This step is essential for getting that melt-in-your-mouth texture and allowing the sauce to fully soak into the chicken.

Once shredded, return the chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the sauce. Mix until all the chicken is well coated in the rich, sticky sauce. The more you mix, the more flavor the chicken will absorb, making every bite as flavorful as the last.

Serving and Garnishing

Now that your Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is ready, it’s time to plate it up and enjoy this delicious meal!

Serving Suggestions

For a complete meal, serve the shredded chicken over a bed of your favorite rice or grain. Here are a few ideas:

• Brown Rice: Nutty and hearty, brown rice complements the sweetness of the honey garlic sauce perfectly.
• Quinoa: A protein-packed option that adds a light, fluffy texture.
• Cauliflower Rice: If you’re looking for a lower-carb option, cauliflower rice is a great choice and soaks up the sauce wonderfully.

Once your chicken is plated, it’s time to garnish! Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top for an extra burst of flavor and a beautiful presentation. The sesame seeds add a delightful crunch, while the green onions bring a fresh, slightly sharp contrast to the sweetness of the sauce.

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (which I doubt will happen!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors continue to develop overnight, making it even more delicious the next day.

For long-term storage, you can freeze the chicken for up to 2 months. To reheat, simply thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

Conclusion

This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken recipe is a crowd-pleaser, offering the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors with minimal prep. Whether you’re feeding a busy family or prepping a simple weeknight dinner, this recipe is both easy to make and incredibly tasty. With tender chicken, a rich sauce, and a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a meal that satisfies every time. So, gather your ingredients, fire up the slow cooker, and get ready to enjoy a mouthwatering dish that will quickly become a household favorite!