Description
These honey garlic chicken thighs are tender, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make in a slow cooker. The sweet and savory honey garlic sauce pairs perfectly with rice, mashed potatoes, or vegetables for a satisfying meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the chicken:
- 6–8 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs (or boneless, if preferred)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the sauce:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
For thickening the sauce (optional):
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
For garnish:
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken:
- Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown. (This step is optional but enhances the flavor.)
- Make the sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, garlic, ketchup, vinegar, ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Slow cook the chicken:
- Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker. Pour the honey garlic sauce over the top, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Thicken the sauce (optional):
- If you’d like a thicker sauce, transfer the chicken to a plate and keep warm.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water. Stir the mixture into the sauce in the slow cooker and cook on high for 10–15 minutes, until thickened.
- Serve:
- Return the chicken to the slow cooker to coat with the sauce.
- Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- Bone-in chicken thighs are recommended for juicier meat, but you can use boneless thighs or chicken breasts if preferred (adjust cooking time accordingly).
- For a deeper flavor, marinate the chicken in the sauce for 1–2 hours before cooking.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the microwave or on the stovetop.