Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken

In This chicken's rich, savory-sweet profile pairs wonderfully with something bright and crisp to cut through the richness. I love serving my Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice with a side of quick-pickled cucumbers.

That little bit of planning, that simple pairing of sweet and tangy, is the secret to turning a humble slow cooker meal into something that feels like a real, sit-down dinner. It’s the kind of meal that makes a busy Wednesday feel special. And it all starts with the easiest part: letting your crockpot do the heavy lifting.

This recipe for Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken is my weeknight hero. It’s the answer to that 4 p.m. panic, when you realize you haven’t even thought about dinner but you want something that tastes like you did. You know the feeling. You want comfort food, the kind that fills the kitchen with a smell so good your family starts wandering in, asking what’s for dinner an hour early. But you also want your evening back. You don’t want to be stuck at the stove.

That’s the magic of this dish. It’s a handful of simple ingredients, a few minutes of prep, and then you walk away. While you’re living your life—helping with homework, finishing up work, or just taking a breath—the slow cooker is working its quiet magic. Chicken thighs become impossibly tender, bathed in a sauce that transforms from a thin liquid into a sticky, glossy, sweet-savory glaze that clings to every bite. It’s a classic for a reason, and making it in the crockpot just makes sense. Regular kitchen, regular time, great results.

Print

Ingredients List

Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken comes together with a short list of pantry-friendly staples. The beauty is in how they meld together over those long, slow hours.

• For the Chicken:

  • 2 to 2.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts, see swap below)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

• For the Sauce:

  • ⅓ cup honey
  • ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 4-5 large garlic cloves, minced (about 1 ½ tablespoons)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger (or 1 teaspoon freshly grated)
  • Optional for heat: ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or a squirt of sriracha

• For Serving & Garnish:

  • Cooked white or brown rice
  • Sliced green onions
  • Sesame seeds

Smart Swaps: Use chicken breasts for a leaner option, but know they cook faster and can dry out if left too long. For a gluten-free Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken, use tamari or coconut aminos. Don’t have rice vinegar? Apple cider vinegar or even a squeeze of fresh lime juice works beautifully. The ketchup adds body and a touch of sweetness; you can substitute with tomato paste thinned with a bit of water or extra honey.

Timing

One of the best parts of any good crockpot recipe is the hands-off time. This one is no exception.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 3-4 hours on HIGH or 6-7 hours on LOW
• Total Time: About 3 hours 10 minutes (on high setting)

Compared to many chicken crockpot recipes that just call for dumping and going, this one has a tiny bit of upfront prep for the sauce and a quick finish at the end to thicken the glaze. It’s 100% worth it for that restaurant-quality sticky sauce.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for a foolproof, flavorful dinner.

1. 
   

   Prep the Chicken. Pat your chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. This helps the cornstarch stick and promotes browning, even in the slow cooker. Place them in your crockpot insert. Sprinkle evenly with the salt, pepper, and cornstarch. Toss gently with your hands to coat every piece. The cornstarch is our little thickener helper—it will work with the sauce to create that perfect glaze.

   
   
2. 
   

   Make the Sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and ginger until smooth and well-combined. Pour this sauce evenly over the coated chicken in the crockpot.

   
   
3. 
   

   Cook. Gently stir the chicken to ensure it’s all nestled into the sauce. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or on LOW for 6-7 hours. The chicken is done when it’s tender enough to shred easily with a fork. I prefer thighs for their forgiving nature and richer flavor in slow cooker recipes.

   
   
4. 
   

   Thicken the Sauce (The Key Step!). Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove the thighs to a plate using tongs. Turn your empty crockpot to the HIGH setting if it isn’t already. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to make a smooth slurry. Whisk this slurry into the hot sauce remaining in the crockpot. Cover and let it cook for 15-20 minutes, until the sauce has thickened into a shiny, sticky glaze.

   
   
5. 
   

   Finish and Serve. While the sauce thickens, you can shred the chicken with two forks or simply cut it into chunks. Return the chicken to the crockpot and stir to coat it generously in the new, glorious glaze. Serve your Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken hot over rice, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.

   
   

Nutritional Information

(Per serving, based on 6 servings, including chicken and sauce but not rice)

• Calories: ~320
• Protein: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Fat: 12g
• Sodium: ~900mg (will be lower if using reduced-sodium soy sauce)

This Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken is a good source of protein from the chicken thighs. Using honey provides natural sweetness, and garlic offers beneficial compounds like allicin. For a balanced meal, pair it with fiber-rich brown rice and a big side of steamed broccoli or snap peas.

Equipment Needed

You don’t need anything fancy to make this cozy meal.

• A 4 to 6-quart slow cooker or crockpot
• Measuring cups and spoons
• A good whisk and a medium mixing bowl
• Tongs
• A small bowl for making the cornstarch slurry

That’s it! This is part of what makes healthy crockpot recipes so appealing—minimal equipment and maximum flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken recipe earns its spot in the regular rotation for so many reasons.

• The Ultimate Set-It-and-Forget-It Meal. The slow cooker does 95% of the work. Prep is a quick 10 minutes in the morning or afternoon, and dinner practically makes itself.
• Family-Friendly Flavor. The sweet and savory sauce is a universal crowd-pleaser. Kids and adults alike go for seconds.
• Meal Prep Champion. This recipe doubles easily and the leftovers are arguably even better the next day. It reheats beautifully for lunches.
• Comfort Food, Made Easy. It delivers that deep, satisfying flavor of takeout without any of the guilt or expense. Food that feels like home.
• Incredibly Adaptable. As you’ll see below, you can tweak this for different dietary needs without losing the soul of the dish.

Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe

Want to lighten things up or accommodate dietary needs? No problem. This recipe is wonderfully flexible.

• Lower Sugar: Replace half the honey with a sugar-free maple syrup alternative or use all-natural apple sauce to cut the sweetness while keeping the sauce body.
• Gluten-Free: Simply use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. Double-check your ketchup label to ensure it’s gluten-free.
• Lower Sodium: Opt for low-sodium soy sauce and low-sodium ketchup. You can also reduce the soy sauce by 2 tablespoons and replace it with chicken broth.
• Higher Protein/Lower Carb: Serve the Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken over cauliflower rice or with a big pile of roasted vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers instead of traditional rice.
• Dairy-Free: This recipe is naturally dairy-free as written!

Serving Suggestions

This sticky, saucy chicken is a perfect base for building a complete plate. Here are my favorite ways to serve it:

• The Classic: Fluffy jasmine or basmati rice is the perfect sponge for that amazing sauce. Add a simple side of steamed broccoli or roasted green beans.
• Bowl Style: Create a nourish bowl with a base of rice or quinoa, the honey garlic chicken, quick-pickled cucumbers or carrots, sliced avocado, and extra green onions.
• Low-Carb Plate: Serve it alongside cauliflower rice and a crisp Asian-inspired cabbage slaw.
• Change it Up: Shred the chicken and pile it into warm tortillas or lettuce wraps for a fun, hands-on meal. The sauce acts as a fantastic dressing.
• For a Cozier Night: If you’re in the mood for something more like a crockpot soup recipe, thin the finished sauce with a cup of chicken broth after thickening, add some cooked noodles or extra veggies, and you’ve got a fantastic honey garlic chicken noodle soup.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A few small tips can make the difference between good and great.

1. Skipping the Cornstarch on the Chicken. Coating the chicken in cornstarch before adding the sauce is a pro trick. It helps thicken the sauce from within and gives the chicken a better texture.
2. Not Thickening the Sauce at the End. If you just cook the chicken and serve it, the sauce will be thin and soupy. Taking those 15 minutes to thicken it transforms the dish. Don’t skip this step!
3. Overcooking Chicken Breasts. If using breasts instead of thighs, reduce the cook time. Check them at 2.5 hours on HIGH or 5 hours on LOW to prevent dryness. Thighs are much more forgiving for long, slow cooks.
4. Using Old Ground Ginger. Ground ginger loses its potency over time. If your spice jar is older than a year, consider using fresh grated ginger for a brighter, more authentic flavor.
5. Forgetting to Adjust for Salt. If you use regular soy sauce instead of low-sodium, the dish can become quite salty. Taste the sauce before adding the chicken and dilute with a tablespoon or two of water if needed.

Storing Tips for the Recipe

This Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken makes fantastic leftovers.

• Refrigerator: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze the chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating: Reheat gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce seems too thick. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave, covered, stirring every 30 seconds until hot.
• Meal Prep: This is a star for weekly meal prep. Divide into containers with rice and your veggie of choice for ready-to-go lunches all week.

Conclusion

At the end of a long day, there’s something deeply comforting about lifting the lid of your slow cooker to find a meal that’s not just ready, but truly delicious. This Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken is exactly that—a reliable, flavor-packed dinner that gives you comfort food without keeping you chained to the kitchen. Simple ingredients, warm memories.

I hope this recipe finds its way into your regular rotation and becomes a new favorite for your family table. It’s the kind of meal that proves great food doesn’t have to be complicated.

If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and let me know what you served it with. And if you’re looking for more easy, hands-off dinners, be sure to check out some of our other favorite crockpot recipes like our creamy Crockpot Creamy Chicken Rice or the warmly spiced Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala. For another savory-sweet slow cooker option with a different protein, our Slow Cooker Beef Broccoli is always a hit. And if you’re in a soup mood, you can’t go wrong with our comforting Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili or the incredibly easy Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken.

Happy slow cooking, friends

FAQs about Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken

💬 Lets Stay Connected!
For daily recipes, kitchen tips, and exclusive content, follow me on:
👉 Facebook for behind-the-scenes & community fun
👉 Pinterest for visual inspiration & meal ideas
👉 X (Twitter) for quick tips & trending recipes

📲 Join the flavor journey, your next favorite recipe is just a follow away!