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Cozy Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken: Set-and-Forget

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This sticky, tender slow cooker honey garlic chicken is the ultimate set-and-forget comfort food. Made with pantry-friendly ingredients, it fills your home with a sweet-savory aroma and delivers a rich, glossy sauce that coats every piece of chicken.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 6–8 thighs)
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
  • 2–3 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
  • Cooked rice (for serving)
  • Steamed broccoli or green beans (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Taste and adjust sweetness or saltiness as needed.
  2. Place the chicken thighs in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker in a single layer.
  3. Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken, ensuring each piece is coated.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is fork-tender.
  5. About 30 minutes before serving, transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes.
  6. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water until smooth. Turn the slow cooker to HIGH and whisk in the slurry. Cook uncovered for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to a glossy, syrupy consistency.
  7. Shred the chicken with two forks or leave whole, then return to the slow cooker and toss with the sauce.
  8. Serve over steamed rice, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Add steamed vegetables on the side if desired.

Notes

Don’t skip the cornstarch slurry step—it’s essential for a thick, glossy sauce. Pat chicken dry before adding to slow cooker for better sauce cling. Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes for extra nutty flavor. Adjust sweetness by reducing honey to 1/4 cup and adding extra soy sauce if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker honey garlic chicken, set-and-forget chicken, honey garlic chicken thighs, easy slow cooker dinner, comfort food chicken

Find it online: https://willarecipes.com/cozy-slow-cooker-honey-garlic-chicken-set-and-forget/