Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

The sauce on this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is dangerously good. Like, mop it up with rice, drizzle it over everything, maybe “accidentally” taste it straight from the spoon kind of good. After a long day, there is nothing better than walking through the door to the smell of honey garlic chicken bubbling away in the slow cooker, knowing dinner is already handled and you barely had to lift a finger.

These chicken thighs turn meltingly tender after a few hours, soaking up all that sticky, garlicky sweetness until they practically fall apart. Even more succulent than our honey lemon chicken, this slow cooker honey chicken delivers rich flavour, glossy edges, and that irresistible sauce you will want on everything. Trust me, once this joins your rotation of chicken slow cooker recipes, it is not leaving anytime soon.

Why You’ll Be Making This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken On Repeat

• A sauce worth fighting over: The honey and garlic cook down with soy into a thick, glossy glaze that wraps around every piece of chicken and turns simple ingredients into full blown honey garlic chicken magic.
• True set and forget dinner: Add everything to the slow cooker, walk away, and come back to a meal that tastes like you put in far more effort than you actually did.
• Fall apart tender chicken thighs: Bone in, skinless thighs stay juicy, soak up all that flavour, and turn meltingly soft after a few hours of gentle cooking.
• Sticky caramelised edges: As the sauce thickens, it coats the chicken and creates those slightly charred, syrupy bits that make this honey garlic chicken impossible to resist.
• Weeknight hero status: It is reliable, family friendly, and bold enough in flavour to stand out among your favourite chicken slow cooker recipes.

What You’ll Need For This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

From the spice rub to the honey garlic butter sauce, each ingredient works together to build flavour and texture. These are the key components that give this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken its rich, sticky finish.

• Chicken Thighs: Bone in, skinless thighs are perfect for slow cooking. They stay juicy, absorb all that honey garlic goodness, and become meltingly tender.
• Honey: The base of the sauce, adding natural sweetness and helping create that glossy glaze that makes this slow cooker honey chicken so irresistible.
• Unsalted Butter: Brings richness and depth, turning the sauce into something silky and full flavoured.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic softens as it cooks, delivering the bold savoury flavour that defines a great honey garlic chicken.

Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.

Add-Ins And Substitutions

Want to shake things up a little? These additions are not in the original ingredient list, but they work beautifully with the sweet savoury base of this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken.

• Fresh Ginger: Add a teaspoon of finely grated ginger to the sauce for a warm, subtle heat that pairs perfectly with the honey and garlic.
• Chilli Crisp Or Sambal Oelek: Stir in a spoonful if you love heat. It cuts through the sweetness and gives the sauce a bold, slightly smoky kick.
• Orange Zest: A small pinch added at the end brightens the entire dish and gives the honey garlic chicken a fresh citrus lift without making it sour.
• Toasted Sesame Oil: A drizzle right before serving deepens the flavour and adds that nutty finish you usually only get from restaurant style honey garlic chicken.
• Fresh Thyme Or Rosemary: A sprig added during cooking gives the sauce an unexpected herbaceous note that balances the sweetness beautifully.

How To Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

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1. Prep And Season: Pat the bone in, skinless chicken thighs completely dry with paper towel. Combine 1/2 tablespoon oil with the rub ingredients, then massage the mixture evenly over each thigh until fully coated on all sides.

2. Optional Sear: Heat remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil in a large pan over medium heat. Sear the chicken for about 2 minutes per side until lightly golden, remembering this step builds flavour only and does not cook the chicken through.

Serve this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken over fluffy Garlic Butter Rice to soak up every drop of that glossy sauce. If you want something a little lighter but still satisfying, Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice adds freshness and a subtle citrus lift that balances the sweet savoury glaze beautifully.

For a veggie side that holds its own, Garlic Green Beans with Parmesan bring crisp texture and a salty finish that cuts through the richness of the honey garlic butter sauce. Together, these sides turn your honey garlic chicken into a full, balanced dinner that feels generous but still weeknight friendly.

Tips For The Best Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

• Pat the chicken completely dry before seasoning: This helps the rub stick properly and gives you better browning if you choose to sear first.
• Do not skip the sear if you have time: While optional, a quick sear builds deeper flavour and gives the finished honey garlic chicken a richer taste.
• Baste halfway through cooking: Spoon some of the sauce over the thighs during cooking to keep them glossy and evenly flavoured.
• Thicken the sauce properly: Let the cornstarch slurry simmer long enough to activate. The sauce should look shiny and slightly syrupy before you stop the heat.
• Broil for that sticky finish: A quick blast under the broiler caramelises the edges and takes this slow cooker honey chicken from good to seriously impressive.
• Adjust sweetness to taste: If you prefer it less sweet, add a small splash of rice vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice at the end to balance the sauce.

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