Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Tender and flavorful Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs made with juicy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs slow-cooked in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. This effortless, hands-off recipe delivers melt-in-your-mouth chicken perfect for busy weeknights or cozy meals, complemented by a rich, sticky glaze and optional fresh garnishes.
- Author: James
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 to 6 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 4 to 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Thickener
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Optional Garnish
- Sliced green onions
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Prepare the Sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and chicken broth until well combined to create a rich, savory-sweet sauce.
- Arrange the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker, skin side up if using skin-on thighs to keep the meat juicy and allow the skin to absorb flavor.
- Pour the Sauce Over: Evenly pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over the chicken thighs, coating each piece thoroughly to infuse flavor during cooking.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is fall-apart tender and irresistibly moist.
- Thicken the Sauce: About 30 minutes before the cooking ends, mix the cornstarch with cold water to form a slurry and stir it slowly into the slow cooker to thicken the sauce into a glossy glaze.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with sliced green onions or toasted sesame seeds before serving for a fresh crunch and visual appeal.
Notes
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum flavor and tenderness.
- Optional: Brown the chicken skin-side down before slow cooking for extra flavor and crispy texture.
- Adjust honey quantity to taste for preferred sweetness.
- Stir cornstarch slurry slowly to avoid lumps and achieve perfect sauce consistency.
- Serve immediately for best texture; keep warm on low if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: honey garlic chicken, slow cooker chicken, comfort food, easy dinner, slow cooker recipes, gluten-free chicken, honey glaze chicken