What’s up – AB here, and today I’m bringing you something that’s gonna make your weeknights a whole lot easier: Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken. This dish is sweet, savory, sticky, and absolutely mouthwatering. The best part? You toss it in the slow cooker, set it, and let that magic happen while you go about your day. By dinnertime, you’ve got fall-off-the-bone chicken coated in the perfect honey garlic glaze.
This is one of those recipes that works year-round. It’s hearty enough for a cozy dinner, but light and flavorful enough to keep in rotation when you’re craving something quick and easy.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- Hands-off cooking – just a few minutes of prep and the slow cooker does the rest.
- Sweet, savory, and garlicky – the flavor balance is on point.
- Perfect for meal prep – make it once, enjoy it for days.
- Family-friendly – picky eaters love it too!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this flavor-packed chicken:
- 6–8 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup honey
- 1 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- ¼ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 2 lb bone-in chicken thighs
- 2 scallions, sliced (for garnish)
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (for garnish)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the chicken
Place your chicken thighs right into the bottom of the crockpot. No need to sear – the slow cooker will do its job.
- Mix the sauce
In a bowl, whisk together the garlic, honey, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, salt, and black pepper until smooth and blended.
- Pour and cover
Pour that sauce right over the chicken, making sure every piece is coated.
- Cook low and slow
Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Finish and serve
Garnish with sliced scallions and sesame seeds. Serve hot and get ready for compliments.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Thighs over breasts – chicken thighs stay juicy and flavorful in the crockpot.
- Go boneless – if you prefer, you can swap in boneless thighs, but reduce the cooking time by about 30 minutes.
- Thicker sauce – if you want the sauce a little thicker, remove the chicken and simmer the sauce on the stovetop with a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water).
- Make it spicy – add red pepper flakes or sriracha for a little kick.
Variations
- Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Wings – perfect for game day.
- Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts – leaner but still tasty.
- Add veggies – toss in bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli for a complete meal.
- Asian Fusion twist – add fresh ginger and a splash of orange juice.
- Sticky Honey Garlic Drumsticks – swap thighs for drumsticks.
- Pineapple Honey Garlic Chicken – add pineapple chunks for a tropical spin.
- Sesame Honey Garlic Chicken – sprinkle extra sesame seeds for nuttiness.
- Teriyaki-style – replace hoisin with teriyaki sauce.
- BBQ Honey Garlic Chicken – mix in a spoonful of BBQ sauce.
- Meal prep bowls – serve over rice with steamed veggies for grab-and-go meals.
What to Serve with Honey Garlic Chicken
Here are some sides that pair beautifully with this dish:
- Steamed white rice or jasmine rice
- Fried rice
- Garlic noodles
- Stir-fried veggies (broccoli, snow peas, carrots)
- Steamed bok choy
- Mashed potatoes (for a fusion twist)
- Roasted green beans
- Asian cucumber salad
- Egg rolls or spring rolls
- Garlic butter rolls
Storage Tips
- Fridge – Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer – Freeze cooked chicken with sauce in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheat – Warm in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much.
Feeding a Crowd
This recipe makes about 4–6 servings, but it’s easy to scale up for parties, potlucks, or family gatherings. Double the ingredients and use a larger crockpot, and you’re set.
Make Ahead
You can prep the sauce the night before and store it in the fridge. In the morning, just add the chicken to the crockpot, pour the sauce over, and let it cook while you handle your day. Dinner will be waiting for you.
Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
- 6 –8 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup honey
- 1 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- ¼ tsp salt or to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper or to taste
- 2 lb bone-in chicken thighs
- 2 scallions sliced (for garnish)
- 1 tsp sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Place chicken thighs into the bottom of your crockpot.
- In a bowl, whisk together garlic, honey, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken, coating well.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds before serving.
