Effortless Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken: Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal

Say goodbye to boring weeknight dinners and hello to this incredible Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken! This recipe features incredibly tender, succulent shredded chicken enveloped in a rich, sweet, and wonderfully sticky sauce. Crafted with aromatic onion and garlic, the savory depth of hoisin sauce, and a surprising, yet perfectly balanced secret ingredient, this dish delivers an explosion of flavor with minimal effort. Serve it over a bed of fluffy steamed white rice or your favorite noodles for an ultimate takeout-inspired experience right in your own kitchen.

We all experience those moments when a deep craving for something incredibly rich and satisfying hits, often leading us straight to takeout menus (who can resist orange chicken and broccoli or Mongolian beef?). We long for anything warm, comforting, and utterly delicious, even if it comes with an indulgent amount of sauce. But what if you could achieve that same deliciousness, or even better, with the convenience of your slow cooker, and without the guilt or the wait?

Now, you can easily bypass the takeout menus and let your slow cooker work its magic to create incredibly tender shredded chicken tossed in a harmonious sweet and tangy sauce. This homemade honey garlic chicken is meticulously prepared with a balanced blend of golden honey, savory soy sauce, and aromatic garlic, delivering a dish that rivals your favorite Chinese restaurant, only healthier and far more rewarding. Instead of tracking a delivery driver, a mouthwatering dinner will be patiently waiting for you.

This recipe embodies the ultimate ease and flavor, transforming simple ingredients into a gourmet-like meal with minimal hands-on time. It’s a true testament to the power of slow cooking, making healthy and delicious home-cooked meals accessible even on your busiest days. As the renowned Ina Garten wisely put it, “How easy is that?” Get ready to impress yourself and your family with this delightful and convenient culinary creation.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Unforgettable Sticky Honey Garlic Sauce. This isn’t just any sauce; it’s a perfectly balanced symphony of sweet, savory, and tangy notes, with a delightful stickiness that clings to every piece of chicken. It’s rich, garlicky, and utterly addictive – guaranteed to elevate your chicken dinners from bland to brilliant!
• Remarkably No-Fuss and Stress-Free. The slow cooker is your secret weapon here, taking care of virtually all the hard work. With only minutes of initial preparation, you can simply set it and forget it, returning to perfectly juicy, fall-apart pulled chicken that’s ready to be devoured. It’s the ideal solution for busy households.
• A Versatile Culinary Superstar. Whether you serve it over a mountain of fluffy rice, nestled between soft bread for a hearty sandwich, or paired with a crisp salad for a lighter option, this honey garlic chicken effortlessly adapts. It’s a flexible dish that shines in many forms, making it perfect for diverse meal plans.
• The Ultimate Meal for Busy Days. Life can often be a whirlwind, but a hectic schedule shouldn’t mean sacrificing delicious, wholesome home-cooked meals. This recipe transforms your slow cooker into your culinary best friend, turning a busy day into a flavorful and satisfying evening with surprisingly little effort.
• Excellent for Meal Prep and Freezer-Friendly. Streamline your entire week with this fantastic meal-prep and freezer-friendly dinner. Prepare a larger batch, portion it out, and enjoy convenient, gourmet-quality meals throughout the week or pull from the freezer whenever a craving strikes. Your future self will undoubtedly thank you for this delicious foresight!

• Bone-in Skinless Chicken Breasts: Opting for bone-in chicken breasts is a game-changer when it comes to moisture. The bone acts as a natural insulator, ensuring the chicken stays incredibly juicy and tender as it slow cooks, a cherished tip my mother shared years ago. You’ll truly taste the difference in the final shredded product.
• Honey: More than just a sweetener, honey is crucial for the sauce’s signature golden hue, rich sweetness, and delightfully sticky texture. It naturally caramelizes as it cooks, eliminating the need for any additional refined sugar. Choose a good quality honey for the best flavor.
• Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Just as in my beloved easy chicken lo mein recipe, I strongly advocate for low-sodium soy sauce. This allows you complete control over the saltiness of your dish, letting you season to perfection without accidentally over-salting. You can always add a pinch more salt later if desired.
• Blackberry Jam: Here’s the not-so-secret secret ingredient! While it might seem unconventional, blackberry jam contributes an astonishing depth of fruity sweetness and a subtle tang that balances the rich savory flavors of the sauce, creating a truly unique and irresistible profile. It’s the unexpected twist that makes this recipe shine.
• Hoisin Sauce: A cornerstone of Asian cuisine, hoisin sauce is a thick, fragrant, and intensely flavorful condiment. Its unique blend of sweet, savory, and umami notes adds complexity and richness. I frequently use it in a variety of dishes, from General Tso’s Chicken to Caramelized Pork and Broccoli, for its incredible flavor boosting capabilities.
• Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil lends a robust, slightly peppery flavor to the sauce. If you prefer a more neutral backdrop to allow the other ingredients to truly stand out, vegetable oil is an excellent alternative.
• Garlic and Onion: These culinary powerhouses are non-negotiable! They form the aromatic foundation of the sauce, infusing the entire dish with their pungent, savory, and slightly sweet notes, making every bite incredibly flavorful. Don’t skimp on fresh garlic and onion for the best results.
• Cornstarch: This essential ingredient is what transforms the flavorful cooking liquids into a luscious, perfectly syrupy sauce. It creates that desirable glossy, thick consistency that coats the shredded chicken beautifully, ensuring every strand is infused with flavor.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): For those who appreciate a touch of heat, a dash of crushed red pepper flakes adds a subtle warmth and zing. Adjust the quantity to your personal preference, remembering that a little goes a long way and the slow cooking process can mellow the spice slightly.

For a complete list of quantities and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.

1. Prepare the Chicken: Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of your slow cooker. While a slight overlap is acceptable, aim to minimize it to ensure that each piece of chicken cooks evenly and is fully immersed in the flavorful sauce. This step is key to achieving uniformly tender results.

2. Craft the Irresistible Sauce. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the honey, low-sodium soy sauce, blackberry jam (our secret ingredient!), hoisin sauce, olive oil, minced garlic, diced onion, and any optional crushed red pepper flakes. Whisk these ingredients thoroughly until well combined and smooth. Once mixed, pour this aromatic sauce generously over the chicken in the slow cooker. It is absolutely vital that the chicken is adequately covered with the liquid to prevent it from drying out during the long cooking process, guaranteeing a moist and flavorful result.

3. Slow Cook to Perfection. Cook on a low setting for 4 to 5 hours. Patience is a virtue here; resist the urge to frequently lift the lid of your slow cooker during the cooking cycle. Opening it releases trapped heat and moisture, which can significantly prolong the cooking time and affect the evenness of the cook. Maintaining a consistent temperature is key to tender, perfectly cooked chicken.
4. Shred the Tender Chicken. Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker, setting them aside on a clean cutting board. Make sure to **reserve all the delicious cooking liquids** in the slow cooker, as this will form the rich, flavorful base of your finished sauce. The chicken should be incredibly tender, making it effortless to shred.

Kelly’s Note: Shredding chicken can be a breeze! You can easily pull it apart using two forks, or for even less effort, a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment will shred the slow-cooked chicken in mere seconds. The goal is tender, easily pulled strands of meat.

5. Prepare the Cornstarch Slurry. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch with 2-3 tablespoons of cold water. Gradually whisk the cornstarch into the water until it forms a smooth, lump-free slurry. This gradual addition is critical, as it prevents the cornstarch from clumping when added to the hot sauce, ensuring a silky-smooth, evenly thickened result.
6. Thicken the Sauce. Transfer the reserved flavorful liquids from the slow cooker into a small saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and whisk in the prepared cornstarch slurry. Continue to whisk gently as the sauce heats.
7. Boil and Reduce for a Syrupy Consistency. It is crucial that the sauce comes to a full, rolling boil. This high heat activates the cornstarch, allowing it to properly thicken the consistency of the sauce. Continue to boil, stirring occasionally, until the sauce reduces and thickens to a syrupy texture, or slightly thinner if you prefer a looser sauce. Keep in mind it will thicken a bit more as it cools.
8. Combine and Serve. Pour the thickened, glorious honey garlic sauce over the shredded chicken in the large bowl. Toss everything gently to ensure every piece of chicken is thoroughly coated in the sweet and sticky goodness. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds for an extra burst of flavor and visual appeal. Enjoy your homemade takeout masterpiece!

Choosing Between Breasts and Thighs, Bone-In or Bone-Out

When preparing your slow cooker honey garlic chicken, the type of chicken you choose can significantly impact the final texture and flavor. Let’s explore your options to ensure you create a true culinary masterpiece:

• Chicken Breasts: If your preference leans towards boneless, skinless chicken breasts for a leaner option, they work wonderfully but require a slight adjustment to cooking time. Aim for approximately 4 hours on low, checking for doneness to ensure they remain moist and don’t overcook, which can lead to dryness. They absorb the sweet and savory sauce beautifully.
• Chicken Thighs: I am an enthusiastic proponent of chicken thighs, especially for slow cooker recipes. They are not only remarkably cost-effective but also inherently packed with rich flavor and are incredibly forgiving when it comes to cooking. It’s genuinely difficult to overcook them to the point of dryness, guaranteeing a fall-off-the-bone tenderness every time. If you decide to transform this into a crockpot chicken thighs recipe, you’ll be rewarded with an even juicier, more succulent dish that’s bursting with flavor.

Once you’ve decided between chicken breasts or chicken thighs, the next consideration is whether to use bone-in or boneless cuts:

• Bone-In Cuts: My go-to choice for almost all slow-cooked chicken is bone-in. The bones perform a dual role: they not only impart a profound richness and depth of flavor to the cooking liquid and subsequently the meat, but they also act as a natural insulator. This insulation helps the meat cook more gently and evenly, keeping it incredibly juicy and preventing it from drying out, even during extended cooking periods. I opt for bone-in cuts 99% of the time for these reasons.
• Boneless Cuts: While convenient, boneless chicken breasts or thighs cook faster and have a higher propensity to dry out if left too long. If you opt for boneless, it’s particularly important to start checking the chicken for doneness earlier in the cooking process. A meat thermometer is your best friend here, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) without going beyond, thus maintaining optimal moisture and tenderness.

How to Use Frozen Chicken in Slow Cooker Recipes

While the slow cooker is incredibly convenient, it’s paramount to prioritize food safety, especially when dealing with chicken. If you plan to use frozen chicken for your slow cooker recipe, it is absolutely crucial to fully thaw it before placing it into your crockpot. Cooking frozen chicken directly in a slow cooker can keep the meat in the “danger zone” (between 40°F and 140°F or 4°C and 60°C) for too long, which significantly increases the risk of bacterial growth and potential foodborne illness. Thawing ensures the chicken cooks evenly and safely.

The most effective and safest method for thawing frozen chicken is to plan ahead: simply place it in the refrigerator a day or two before you intend to cook. This slow, gradual thawing process keeps the chicken at a safe temperature throughout.

If you find yourself short on time and need a quicker thawing solution, I recommend using the cold water thawing method. To do this, submerge the sealed chicken (ensuring it’s in a leak-proof bag or its original packaging) in a bowl of cold tap water. It’s vital to change the water every 30 minutes to keep it cold and facilitate faster thawing. Keep the chicken in its packaging to prevent water absorption and maintain sanitation. Avoid using hot water, as this can also bring the chicken into unsafe temperature ranges. Once thawed, cook the chicken immediately.

This incredibly flavorful honey garlic chicken is wonderfully versatile, pairing beautifully with a wide array of side dishes. While I typically enjoy it over classic brown rice, its generous, sticky sauce makes it an ideal companion for any type of noodles. Here are some fantastic serving suggestions to complete your meal:

• Steamed Coconut Rice or Cauliflower Fried Rice: The subtle sweetness and creaminess of coconut rice provide a perfect counterpoint to the tangy chicken, while cauliflower fried rice offers a lighter, vegetable-packed alternative that still delivers on flavor and texture.
• Veggies Galore: Freshly steamed broccoli (microwavable steam-in-bag veggies are a quick and healthy option!) is a go-to. For an authentic Asian-inspired experience, try Chinese Garlic Green Beans or quick-sautéed Garlic Bok Choy. These vegetable sides add vibrant color, essential nutrients, and complement the chicken’s rich flavors beautifully.
• Noodle Nirvana: Beyond traditional rice, egg noodles or delicate rice noodles are superb for soaking up every last drop of the luscious honey garlic sauce. You can use any of your favorite pasta shapes or even ramen noodles for a heartier dish. The saucy chicken coats them perfectly, creating a comforting and satisfying meal.
• Creamy Mashed Potatoes: For those days when you crave ultimate comfort food, pile this savory shredded chicken atop a mound of your favorite creamy mashed potatoes. The rich, velvety potatoes provide a luxurious base that perfectly balances the sweet and tangy chicken, making for an incredibly hearty and satisfying meal.
• Light and Fresh Salad: For a lighter, yet equally flavorful meal, consider incorporating the pulled honey garlic chicken into a fresh salad. It makes an excellent substitute for the rotisserie chicken in my Chinese Chicken Salad with Sesame Dressing, adding a wonderful sweet and savory kick to crisp greens and crunchy toppings.

Recommended Equipment

Having the right tools can make all the difference in achieving perfect results and a smooth cooking experience. Here’s the essential equipment I recommend for making this delicious Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken:

• Programmable Slow Cooker: A high-quality slow cooker is the star of this recipe. I particularly favor models that come with a temperature probe, which ensures precise cooking, and a removable, dishwasher-safe vessel and lid for effortless cleanup after you’ve enjoyed your meal.
• Whisk: This simple yet essential tool will prove incredibly handy for thoroughly whisking together all the ingredients for your savory and sweet honey garlic sauce, ensuring a smooth and perfectly blended mixture without any lumps.
• Tongs: You’ll find tongs indispensable in the kitchen for countless tasks, and they truly make lifting the tender, cooked chicken breasts out of the crockpot a remarkably easy and mess-free process. They provide a secure grip, preventing any slips or splashes.
• Instant-Read Meat Thermometer: For ultimate food safety and to guarantee that your slow-cooked chicken is perfectly cooked and tender, an instant-read meat thermometer is absolutely essential. It ensures your chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) every time, preventing both undercooking and overcooking.

Common Questions

Main Course

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

This tried and tested recipe for Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken stars super-tender pulled chicken doused in a sweet, tangy, garlicky soy sauce. It’s the ultimate easy weeknight meal that tastes like your favorite takeout, perfect for meal prep or a comforting family dinner.

Author: Kelly Senyei

4.87 from 22 votes

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 hours hrs

Total Time 5 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Servings 4 servings

Print Recipe

Ingredients 

• ▢ 3 large bone-in, skinless chicken breasts (2 ½ to 3 lbs total)
• ▢ 1/2 cup honey
• ▢ 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
• ▢ 1/4 cup blackberry jam
• ▢ 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ▢ 1/2 cup diced onion
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
• ▢ Sliced scallions, for garnish
• ▢ Sesame seeds, for garnish

Equipment:

• ▢ slow cooker

Instructions 

• Arrange the chicken breasts in the slow cooker so that they are not overlapping.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, blackberry jam, hoisin, olive oil, garlic, onion and crushed red pepper flakes, and then pour the sauce over the chicken. Cover the slow cooker and cook the chicken on LOW for 4 to 5 hours until the chicken is fully cooked.
• Using tongs, remove the chicken from the slow cooker (reserving the liquids) and place it on a cutting board. Remove the bones then use two forks to shred the chicken into smaller pieces. Place the shredded chicken in a large bowl.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry.
• Transfer the liquids from the slow cooker into a small saucepan set over medium-high heat and whisk in the slurry. Bring the sauce to a boil and cook it until it reduces and has thickened slightly, about 3 minutes. Pour the sauce over the chicken, tossing to combine. Serve the chicken topped with sliced scallions and sesame seeds.

Kelly’s Notes

• To make this dish kid-friendly, simply leave out the crushed red pepper flakes.
• Using bone-in chicken breasts, rather than boneless chicken breasts, is key to guaranteeing moist, tender shredded chicken.
• Depending on your preferences, you may want to pour only a portion of the sauce over the shredded chicken. Any leftover sauce can be served with other proteins or veggies.
• Storage: Once your leftovers have cooled to room temperature, transfer them to an airtight container. Your honey garlic chicken will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, let the frozen chicken thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water to retain moisture.
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Nutrition

Calories: 420kcal, Carbohydrates: 64g, Protein: 20g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 54mg, Sodium: 1450mg, Potassium: 468mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 51g, Vitamin A: 65IU, Vitamin C: 5.3mg, Calcium: 31mg, Iron: 1.4mg

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