Tender Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe Easy 5-Ingredient Family Dinner
A simple and flavorful slow cooker recipe featuring tender chicken thighs cooked in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/3 cup honey (about 113g)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (60ml), low sodium recommended
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (30ml)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to help the sauce stick better (about 5 minutes).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and apple cider vinegar until smooth (about 2 minutes).
- Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer inside the slow cooker insert for even cooking (about 2 minutes).
- Pour the sauce over the chicken, making sure each piece is coated well (about 1 minute).
- Cover and cook on low heat for 4 to 5 hours until the chicken is tender and easily shredded with a fork. Avoid cooking over 6 hours to prevent dryness.
- Optional: For a thicker sauce, remove the chicken once cooked and transfer the sauce to a saucepan. Simmer on medium heat for 5-7 minutes until reduced and syrupy (adds about 10 minutes).
- Serve the chicken with the thickened sauce spooned over or returned to the slow cooker.
Notes
Patting the chicken dry helps the sauce cling and caramelize better. Avoid lifting the slow cooker lid frequently to maintain cooking temperature. For a thicker sauce, simmer it after cooking. Use bone-in thighs for juicier meat and trim excess fat to avoid greasy sauce. Variations include adding crushed red pepper flakes for heat or swapping soy sauce for tamari for gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 6 oz (
- Calories: 325
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 2.5
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 35
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, honey garlic chicken, easy dinner, family meal, 5-ingredient recipe, crockpot chicken, tender chicken, comfort food