Picture this: you walk into the kitchen after a busy day, and the scent of sweet, savory honey garlic chicken fills the air. It’s tender, juicy, and packed with flavors that feel like a warm hug from the inside. This Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken is a simple, hands-off dish that’s perfect for those days when you want something delicious without the effort. Trust me, once you try it, it’ll quickly become your go-to comfort meal.
Why You’ll Love Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken
This recipe is more than just a set of ingredients—it’s about making your life a little easier while still treating yourself to a flavorful dinner. Here’s why it’s a favorite:
Set It and Forget It: The crockpot does all the work for you. Just toss everything in, set it, and forget about it. It’s perfect for busy days when you need a meal with zero stress.
Sweet and Savory: The honey garlic sauce is the star of the show. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and just the right amount of tang. You’ll want to drizzle it on everything!
Tender Chicken: The slow cooking process makes the chicken so tender it practically falls apart. It’s juicy, flavorful, and oh-so-satisfying.
Family-Friendly: This dish is sure to please everyone at the table, from the kids to the adults. Serve it with rice, veggies, or your favorite sides, and you’ve got a meal that’s both easy and crowd-pleasing.
Minimal Prep: With only a few ingredients, this recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require much hands-on time. Perfect for those nights when you’re craving something delicious but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this sweet and savory chicken dish:
Chicken Breasts: The star of the dish. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cook up tender and juicy in the crockpot.
Honey: Adds that sweet, sticky goodness that perfectly complements the savory garlic.
Garlic: Fresh garlic gives the dish that bold, aromatic flavor that pairs beautifully with the honey.
Soy Sauce: A savory base for the sauce that brings everything together.
Ketchup: Adds a little tang to balance the sweetness of the honey.
Olive Oil: Helps to sauté the garlic and adds a bit of richness to the sauce.
Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): A pinch of red pepper flakes gives the sauce a little kick. Totally optional, but highly recommended if you like a bit of heat!
Cornstarch (Optional): If you want the sauce to be thicker, cornstarch helps create a glossy finish.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s get that slow cooker working its magic:
Prep the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of your crockpot. No need to cut or chop them—they’ll cook perfectly whole.
Make the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). This is the magic sauce that will make everything come together.
Pour the Sauce Over the Chicken: Pour the honey garlic sauce over the chicken in the crockpot, making sure it’s well-coated.
Cook Low and Slow: Set your crockpot to cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken will cook up tender and juicy, soaking up all the delicious flavors.
Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the chicken after it’s done cooking, and stir in a little cornstarch mixed with water to the sauce. Let it cook on high for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens, then return the chicken to the sauce.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve the honey garlic chicken with your favorite sides, such as rice, steamed veggies, or mashed potatoes. Spoon extra sauce over the chicken for that irresistible, sticky goodness.
How to Serve Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken
This dish is delicious on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions to elevate the meal:
Serve with Rice: The sweet and savory sauce pairs perfectly with steamed white or brown rice, making it a complete meal.
Add Steamed Veggies: Roasted or steamed vegetables, like broccoli or green beans, add color and balance to the meal.
Serve on a Bed of Noodles: For a fun twist, serve the chicken over a bed of noodles to make it extra filling.
Top with Fresh Herbs: Fresh parsley or cilantro sprinkled on top adds a burst of color and freshness that balances out the richness of the sauce.
Additional Tips
Here are some extra tips to help you get the most out of this recipe:
Use Chicken Thighs: If you prefer darker meat, chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe and are even more tender after slow cooking.
Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer your sauce sweeter, add a little more honey to taste. For a more savory sauce, reduce the amount of honey slightly.
Make It Spicy: If you love a bit of heat, add more red pepper flakes, or even a splash of hot sauce for an extra kick.
Meal Prep: Make a double batch of the sauce and freeze it for later use. You can have a ready-made meal that only needs to be reheated.
Store Leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use frozen chicken?
A1: Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but it may need a little more cooking time. Make sure to check the internal temperature to ensure it’s fully cooked.
Q2: Can I add vegetables to the crockpot?
A2: Yes! You can add vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or onions to the crockpot for a one-pot meal. Just add them in with the chicken and sauce at the beginning of cooking.
Q3: Can I make this dish ahead of time?
A3: Yes! You can prep everything the night before and store it in the fridge, then just cook it in the crockpot the next day.
Q4: Can I use a different sweetener instead of honey?
A4: Yes! You can swap honey for maple syrup or agave syrup if you prefer. Keep in mind the flavor might be slightly different.
Q5: Can I double the recipe?
A5: Absolutely! Just make sure your crockpot is large enough to accommodate the doubled ingredients, and cook for the same amount of time.
Q6: Can I use a slow cooker on high instead of low?
A6: Yes, cooking on high for 3-4 hours works just as well as cooking on low for 6-7 hours.
Q7: How do I store leftovers?
A7: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Q8: Can I make the sauce spicier?
A8: Absolutely! Add more red pepper flakes, or even a splash of hot sauce for an extra spicy kick.
Q9: Can I use chicken breasts with skin?
A9: While boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best for this recipe, you can use chicken with skin. Just note that you’ll want to remove the skin after cooking.
Q10: Can I freeze this recipe?
A10: Yes! You can freeze the cooked chicken and sauce for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat when you’re ready to serve.
Conclusion
The Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken is the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and absolutely irresistible. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it meal that’s perfect for busy nights, and it’s so simple that even beginners will feel like kitchen pros. Whether you serve it with rice, veggies, or your favorite side, this dish is sure to become a family favorite in no time!
Print
Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken is a sweet and savory dish that’s perfect for a busy day. The chicken simmers in a delicious honey garlic sauce that caramelizes as it cooks, resulting in tender, flavorful meat. This easy healthy dinner recipe is packed with protein and perfect for meal prepping or serving with rice, veggies, or noodles. A simple, yet flavorful dinner idea!
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional garnish: chopped green onions or sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, olive oil, ground ginger, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Place chicken in the crockpot: Add the chicken breasts to the crockpot. Pour the honey garlic sauce over the chicken.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Shred the chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the crockpot and shred it using two forks.
- Serve: Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot, stirring it into the sauce. Serve over rice, noodles, or alongside your favorite vegetables. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- You can use chicken thighs for extra flavor and tenderness.
- For a thicker sauce, remove the chicken once it’s cooked, then simmer the sauce in the crockpot on high for 10-15 minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency.
- This dish can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and is great for meal prep.
- You can also add vegetables (like bell peppers or broccoli) to the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1 chicken breast)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 570mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg