Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
This slow cooker honey garlic chicken is an easy weeknight dinner that fills your home with amazing aromas while you go about your day. The combination of sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and aromatic garlic creates a delicious glaze that coats tender, shredded chicken perfectly. Serve it over rice or noodles for a complete meal that your whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons water
- 2 green onions sliced
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
- In a bowl whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, butter, rice vinegar, ginger powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken making sure it is well coated.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until chicken is tender and shreds easily.
- Remove chicken and shred it with two forks.
- Mix cornstarch and water together to make a slurry.
- Stir the cornstarch mixture into the sauce in the slow cooker and cook on high for 15 to 20 minutes until thickened.
- Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat.
- Serve over rice or noodles and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Practical Tips
Tip 1: You can substitute chicken thighs for the breasts if you prefer extra tenderness and flavor. Just increase the cooking time slightly since thighs are thicker.
Tip 2: Make sure to mince your garlic finely so it distributes evenly throughout the sauce and creates a smooth, flavorful coating.
Tip 3: If you prefer a thicker sauce, add the cornstarch slurry earlier in the cooking process, though the final 15 to 20 minutes on high is ideal for achieving the perfect consistency.
How to Store
Store leftover honey garlic chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat it gently on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce. This dish also freezes well for up to 3 months when stored in a freezer-safe container.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen chicken? Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts, but add an extra 1 to 2 hours to the low cooking time to ensure they thaw and cook through completely.
What can I serve this with besides rice? This honey garlic chicken pairs wonderfully with egg noodles, cauliflower rice, roasted vegetables, or even in wraps and sandwiches.
Is this recipe gluten-free? Most soy sauce contains gluten, so check your bottle. You can substitute with tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free version.