Whenever I want to meal prep for the week, I make this easy slow cooker honey garlic chicken recipe. With a slow cooker, everything is so easy because you just dump it all in and turn the machine on. The result is tender chicken with a sweet, garlicky, and savory sauce that is well balanced.

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken pieces cooked in a rich, dark sauce, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, served in a white slow cooker.

What is Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken?

Slow cooker honey garlic chicken is tender chicken thighs cooked low and slow in a rich sauce made of honey, soy sauce, garlic, and a splash of rice vinegar. The chicken soaks up all that flavor as it cooks, then gets chopped or shredded and coated in a thickened version of the cooking liquid.

Why You'll Love This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Set It and Forget It: The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you do whatever you like.
Big Flavor, Simple Ingredients: Everything here comes from pantry staples you probably already have.
Made for Meal Prep: It makes several servings and reheats beautifully, so lunch is handled too.

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken thighs simmer in a rich brown sauce inside a slow cooker, garnished with chopped green onions and sprinkled with sesame seeds. The sauce slightly coats the edges of the slow cooker.

Equipment You'll Need

Ingredients

Honey Garlic Chicken

Soy Sauce
Honey
Rice Vinegar
Garlic
Sesame Oil
Red Pepper Flakes
Chicken Thighs
Salt
Black Pepper
Corn Starch

For Serving

White Rice
Vegetable of Choice
Sesame Seeds
Green Onions

Customizations

Swap the Protein: Boneless chicken breasts work too, just check them a little earlier so they stay juicy.
Add More Heat: Stir in extra red pepper flakes or a spoonful of chili crisp if you like things spicy.

How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Build the Sauce

In the slow cooker, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Add the chicken thighs in a single layer and season with salt and black pepper.

Slow Cook the Chicken

Cover and cook on High for 3-4 hours or Low for 5-6 hours, until the chicken is tender and easy to chop or shred.

Chop, Shred and Thicken

Remove the chicken and roughly chop or shred it. Transfer the cooking liquid to a small pot and stir in the corn starch slurry.

Heat on medium until the sauce has slightly thickened, then take it off the heat.

Serve It Up

Serve over white rice with your vegetable of choice, spoon the sauce on top, and finish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Since this makes multiple servings, it is perfect for meal prep.

Two glass meal prep containers filled with white rice, steamed broccoli, and Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken topped with sesame seeds and green onions. A wooden spoon and a fork are next to the containers, with one lid securely on.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a pan over medium heat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.

It also freezes well for up to 3 months so just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Tips to Make the Perfect Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Use Thighs for the Best Texture: They stay juicy through the long cook time, while breasts can dry out.
Do Not Skip the Slurry: That little bit of corn starch is what turns the cooking liquid into a glossy sauce.
Taste Before Serving: Soy sauce brands vary in saltiness, so adjust the seasoning at the end to get it just right.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I make slow cooker honey garlic chicken with chicken breasts?

Yes, boneless skinless breasts work, but they cook faster and can dry out, so check them near the lower end of the cook time and shred as soon as they are tender.

Why is my sauce too thin?

The chicken releases a lot of moisture as it cooks, so the corn starch slurry is key. When the chicken is done cooking, transfer the sauce to a pot and add the corn starch slurry and heat over medium until slightly thickened.

Can I make this on the stovetop?

Yes but I have another recipe where I use the air fryer or stove to cook with different measurements and steps: Honey Garlic Chicken

What vegetables go well with this dish?

Steamed broccoli, zucchini, snap peas, or bok choy all soak up the sauce nicely and balance out the sweetness.