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Best Easy Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

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Tender, juicy slow cooker chicken thighs in a sticky, sweet, and savory honey garlic sauce. This set-it-and-forget-it recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and requires only 7 minutes of prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2.5 pounds total)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for searing)
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • Sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
  • Chopped green onions (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Optional but recommended: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken skin-side down for 3-4 minutes until golden, then flip and cook for 2 more minutes.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using).
  4. Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker in a single layer, skin-side up. Pour the sauce over the top, coating each piece.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is fork-tender.
  6. About 20-30 minutes before serving, carefully remove the chicken to a plate using tongs. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Pour the slurry into the slow cooker and whisk gently. Cover and cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  7. Return the chicken to the slow cooker, spoon the thickened sauce over the top, and let warm through for 5 minutes.
  8. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve immediately over rice, noodles, or with crusty bread.

Notes

Don’t lift the lid during cooking. The cornstarch slurry is essential for a thick sauce. For best results, use bone-in, skin-on thighs and cook on LOW. The sauce can be doubled for extra. Leftovers keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator or 3 months in the freezer.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://dinadishes.com/best-easy-slow-cooker-honey-garlic-chicken-thighs/