Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken (Printable)

Slow-cooked chicken thighs glazed in honey garlic sauce, garnished with parsley and sesame for a comforting meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
02 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Honey Garlic Sauce

04 - 1/3 cup honey
05 - 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
06 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
08 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Thickening Slurry (Optional)

11 - 2 teaspoons cornstarch
12 - 2 tablespoons cold water

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
14 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

# Directions:

01 - Season the chicken thighs evenly on both sides with salt and pepper, then place them in a single layer at the bottom of the slow cooker.
02 - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, ketchup, olive oil, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
03 - Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the seasoned chicken thighs in the slow cooker. Cover with the lid and cook on the LOW setting for 4 to 5 hours, or until the chicken is fork-tender and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.
04 - If a thicker sauce is desired, carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and set aside. Whisk the cornstarch into the cold water to form a slurry, then stir it into the hot sauce in the slow cooker. Set the cooker to HIGH and cook uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce reaches the desired consistency. Return the chicken to the slow cooker and toss to coat.
05 - Transfer the chicken and sauce to a serving platter. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve immediately over steamed rice with your choice of vegetables.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day, and the chicken practically falls apart on its own.
  • It tastes like something you would order at a restaurant but costs almost nothing and requires zero culinary confidence.
02 -
  • Do not skip patting the chicken dry because excess moisture dilutes the sauce and you end up with a thinner glaze than you want.
  • The slurry step is optional but it is the difference between a brothy dish and that glossy, clinging sauce that makes people go back for seconds.
03 -
  • Set your slow cooker liner or spray the insert with oil before adding anything, because burned sugar on crockpot ceramic is a cleaning nightmare you do not deserve.
  • If you want deeper flavor, sear the chicken thighs in a hot skillet for two minutes per side before they go into the slow cooker, it adds a caramelized layer that slow cooking alone cannot replicate.

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