Savory Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
A fuss-free slow cooker recipe featuring tender, juicy chicken thighs coated in a sticky, flavorful honey garlic sauce. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners with a sweet and savory balance.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 to 6 hours on LOW or 3 to 4 hours on HIGH
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes (LOW) or 3 hours 10 minutes to 4 hours 10 minutes (HIGH)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 pounds or 1.4 kg)
- ⅓ cup (113 g) honey
- ¼ cup (60 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil (optional, for browning)
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup (120 ml) water or low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon (8 g) cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to help the sauce stick better.
- Optional: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken thighs skin-side down for 3-4 minutes until golden. Flip and brown the other side for 2 minutes. Transfer chicken to the slow cooker.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, water or chicken broth, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Pour the honey garlic mixture evenly over the chicken thighs in the slow cooker, making sure they’re well coated.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours until chicken is fork-tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Optional: About 20 minutes before serving, remove the chicken and keep warm. Mix cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the slow cooker sauce and cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes until thickened and glossy.
- Return the chicken to the slow cooker or plate it, spoon the thickened honey garlic sauce over the top, and garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
Browning the chicken before slow cooking adds flavor and texture but is optional. Use low-sodium soy sauce to control saltiness. Thicken sauce with cornstarch slurry if desired. Avoid opening the slow cooker frequently to maintain heat. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Protein: 28
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, honey garlic chicken, easy dinner, chicken thighs, crockpot recipe, weeknight meal, savory chicken