Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken and Broccoli

A comforting and effortless slow cooker dish that pairs tender, juicy chicken with crisp broccoli in a sweet-savory honey garlic sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights and family-friendly dinners.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy, hands-off cooking in a crockpot
• Sweet, tangy, garlicky sauce that’s loaded with flavor
• Juicy chicken and perfectly cooked broccoli in one pot
• Ideal for meal prep or feeding a crowd
• Great served over rice, noodles, or quinoa

ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 1½ lb chicken thighs or breasts
• 4–6 garlic cloves, minced
• ⅓ cup honey
• ⅓ cup soy sauce or tamari
• 2 tbsp ketchup or tomato paste
• 1–2 tbsp chili paste or sriracha (optional)
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• ⅓ cup chicken broth or water
• 1 lb broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
• Green onions, sesame seeds, or cilantro for garnish (optional)

directions

this recipe

1. Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together garlic, honey, soy sauce, ketchup or tomato paste, chili paste (if using), rice vinegar, and chicken broth.
2. Add to crockpot: Place chicken in the crockpot and pour the sauce over the top.
3. Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours, until chicken is cooked through and tender.
4. Add broccoli: In the last 30 minutes of cooking, add broccoli florets on top and cover to steam them until tender-crisp.
5. Optional thickening: If desired, stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water) and cook uncovered on HIGH for 10–15 minutes to thicken the sauce.
6. Serve: Shred chicken if desired and serve hot over rice or noodles. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, or cilantro.

Servings and timing

• Serves: 4–6
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 3–4 hours on LOW or 2–3 hours on HIGH
• Total time: 3½–4 hours

Variations

• Use tofu, tempeh, or seitan for a vegetarian version
• Add carrots, bell peppers, or snap peas for more vegetables
• Swap soy sauce for coconut aminos for a gluten-free version
• Use pineapple juice in place of vinegar for a tropical twist
• Try it with udon or ramen noodles instead of rice

storage/reheating

• Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days
• Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet or microwave with a splash of broth or water
• Freezing: Freeze chicken and sauce without broccoli; add fresh broccoli when reheating

FAQs

Can I add the broccoli at the beginning?

It’s best added in the last 30 minutes to keep it crisp-tender.

Do I need to brown the chicken first?

No, but you can sear it before slow cooking for extra flavor.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, but keep an eye on them—breasts cook faster and may dry out.

How do I thicken the sauce?

Use a cornstarch slurry and cook uncovered for 10–15 minutes.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce to make it gluten-free.

Can I use frozen broccoli?

Yes—add it in the last 30 minutes, just like fresh broccoli.

What can I serve it with?

Rice, noodles, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice work great.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes—just make sure your crockpot is large enough to hold everything.

Can I make this spicy?

Add more chili paste or sriracha for extra heat.

How long will leftovers keep?

Up to 4 days in the fridge, stored in an airtight container.

Conclusion

Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken and Broccoli is a stress-free, flavor-packed meal that’s sure to please everyone at the table. With its balance of sweet, savory, and a hint of spice, it’s a perfect make-ahead dinner for busy nights. Serve it over rice for a complete, satisfying meal.

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