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Easy Crockpot Chicken Thighs with Honey Garlic Sauce

crockpot chicken thighs honey garlic - featured image
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Tender, sticky, savory-sweet chicken thighs cooked in a honey garlic sauce in the slow cooker. An incredibly easy set-it-and-forget-it meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights and family-approved.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 6–8 thighs)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for searing)
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (for slurry)
  • 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
  2. Optional: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. If skipping sear, place seasoned chicken directly into the slow cooker.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together honey, low-sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, tomato paste, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using) until smooth.
  4. Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker in a single layer (overlap slightly if needed). Pour the honey garlic sauce over the chicken, coating each piece.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  6. Using tongs, carefully transfer the cooked chicken thighs to a plate. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Pour the slurry into the slow cooker with the sauce and whisk. Turn slow cooker to HIGH, cover, and let sauce thicken for 10-15 minutes until glossy.
  7. Return the chicken to the thickened sauce, spooning sauce over each piece. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  8. Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and optional cilantro or parsley. Serve immediately over rice, noodles, or vegetables.

Notes

For best results, don’t lift the lid during cooking. Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for juiciness. Adjust honey to taste if your honey is very sweet. The cornstarch slurry is essential for a thick, glossy sauce. Leftovers taste even better the next day and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot chicken thighs, honey garlic chicken, slow cooker chicken, easy chicken dinner, weeknight meal, set-it-and-forget-it

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