Tender Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Recipe

Tender chicken thighs swimming in a luscious honey garlic sauce can revolutionize your weeknight dinner routine.

My secret weapon for hassle-free meals involves this incredible slow cooker method.

Countless busy home cooks struggle to create flavorful dishes without spending hours in the kitchen.

Weeknight meals demand simplicity, and this recipe delivers maximum taste with minimal effort.

Pantry staples like honey, garlic, and everyday spices combine to create something magical.

The gentle, low-temperature cooking ensures each bite remains incredibly juicy and packed with rich flavors.

Let you transform ordinary chicken into a meal everyone will eagerly request seconds of.

What You’ll Need for Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

• Chicken Thighs: Succulent and flavorful base of the dish, bone-in provides extra richness and tender meat.

• Honey, Soy Sauce: Sweet and savory foundation creating a delicious glaze, choose high-quality raw honey for best flavor.
• Garlic: Adds intense aromatic flavor, fresh minced garlic provides more robust taste than pre-minced.

• Olive Oil: Helps blend sauce ingredients and adds smooth texture.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides tangy brightness and helps tenderize meat.
• Ground Ginger: Adds warm, spicy undertone to the sauce.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient for adding subtle heat.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance overall taste of chicken.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds fresh color and light herb flavor to finished dish.

How to Slow Cook Chicken Thighs in Honey Garlic Sauce

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

Place chicken thighs in the slow cooker. Sprinkle salt and pepper across the surface. Ensure each piece is evenly seasoned for maximum flavor absorption.

Step 2: Create Flavor Explosion

• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Minced garlic
• Olive oil
• Apple cider vinegar
• Ground ginger
• Crushed red pepper flakes

Blend ingredients until smooth and well combined. The sauce will infuse incredible taste into the chicken.

Step 3: Slow Cook To Perfection

Pour sauce over chicken thighs, coating each piece thoroughly. Cover slow cooker and set to low heat. Cook for 4-6 hours or high heat for 2-3 hours. Chicken becomes incredibly tender and juicy during cooking process.

Step 4: Final Touch And Serving

Remove chicken from slow cooker and transfer to serving platter. Drizzle remaining sauce over top. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley for bright color and additional flavor. Pair with rice, roasted vegetables, or mashed potatoes for a complete dinner experience.

Slow Cooker Tips for Tender and Juicy Chicken Thighs

• Flavor Boost: Add extra minced garlic or a splash of sriracha to intensify the sauce's depth and kick.
• Tender Trick: Choose bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum moisture and rich flavor during slow cooking.
• Sauce Hack: Thicken remaining sauce by mixing cornstarch with liquid and simmering for a glossy, restaurant-style finish.
• Diet-Friendly Swap: Replace honey with maple syrup for a vegan version or use low-sodium soy sauce for reduced salt intake.
• Meal Prep Magic: Shred leftover chicken and store in airtight containers for quick lunch bowls or sandwich fillings throughout the week.

How to Reheat Honey Garlic Chicken Without Drying the Sauce

• Store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Carefully pack chicken in freezer-safe containers or bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen chicken stays good for up to 3 months.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, place chicken in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Add a splash of reserved sauce to prevent drying.
• Place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, drizzle with remaining sauce, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warmed.

Sides That Fit with Honey Garlic Chicken Dinners

• Serve fluffy jasmine rice or cilantro-lime quinoa to soak up the rich, sweet-savory sauce and balance the chicken's intense flavors.
• Select a crisp Riesling or unoaked Chardonnay to match the dish's sweet and tangy profile, cutting through the richness while enhancing the honey and garlic notes.
• Roast bright green vegetables like asparagus or broccoli with light sesame oil and sea salt, creating a fresh contrast to the deeply flavored chicken thighs and adding nutritional balance to the meal.
• Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds or sliced green onions on top to introduce a delightful textural element and provide a subtle nutty, fresh finish to the tender slow-cooked chicken.

Flavor Adjustments for Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

• Spicy Honey Sriracha Chicken: Replace red pepper flakes with sriracha sauce for a bolder, hotter flavor profile that kicks up the heat.
• Citrus Herb Chicken: Swap apple cider vinegar with fresh lemon juice and add dried thyme or rosemary for a bright, aromatic Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Gluten-Free Friendly Option: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of traditional soy sauce to make the recipe celiac and gluten-sensitive diet compatible.
• Low-Carb Keto Adaptation: Replace honey with sugar-free maple syrup or monk fruit sweetener to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining the recipe's signature sweet and savory balance.

Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with a Sweet Glaze

• Toss chicken thighs and sauce into the slow cooker, walk away, and return to a delicious dinner without constant monitoring.
• Combine everyday pantry ingredients like honey, soy sauce, and garlic to create a mouthwatering glaze that infuses rich, sweet-savory notes into tender chicken.
• Cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours, perfect for busy families or professionals who want a hassle-free, nutritious meal with minimal hands-on cooking time.
• Pair with rice, roasted vegetables, or salad for a complete meal that satisfies different taste preferences and dietary needs, making it an ideal weeknight dinner solution.

Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 67 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 to 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Succulent honey garlic slow cooker chicken thighs deliver comfort straight from your kitchen’s heart. Juicy chicken pieces glazed with sweet and savory sauce promise a delightful meal that brings warmth and satisfaction to your plate.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 6 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs (or boneless, if preferred)

Seasonings and Flavorings:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Sauce Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup honey
• ⅓ cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)

Sauce Thickener (optional):

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water

Garnish:

• Chopped green onions
• Sesame seeds

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Arrange chicken thighs in the slow cooker, ensuring they form a single layer. Generously sprinkle with salt and pepper to enhance the foundational flavor profile.
2. Craft the aromatic sauce by combining honey, soy sauce, finely minced garlic, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, ground ginger, and optional crushed red pepper flakes in a mixing vessel. Whisk thoroughly until ingredients harmonize into a glossy, uniform mixture.
3. Meticulously drizzle the prepared sauce over the chicken thighs, rotating and coating each piece to ensure comprehensive flavor absorption. Secure the slow cooker lid and initiate cooking.
4. Select your preferred temperature setting: low heat for 4-6 hours or high heat for 2-3 hours. The chicken reaches optimal doneness when meat becomes exceptionally tender and effortlessly separates with minimal pressure.
5. Carefully transfer the succulent chicken thighs to a serving platter, allowing excess sauce to cascade over the meat. Enhance the presentation by distributing freshly chopped parsley across the surface for a vibrant, verdant touch.
6. Accompany the chicken with complementary side dishes that will absorb and accentuate the rich, sweet-savory sauce, completing this delectable culinary experience.

Notes

• Choose bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum flavor and juiciness, ensuring the meat stays tender during slow cooking.
• Adjust spice levels by reducing or omitting red pepper flakes for a milder version, perfect for kids or those with sensitive palates.
• Prevent sauce from becoming too watery by briefly thickening it with a cornstarch slurry after cooking, creating a more glossy and concentrated glaze.
• Consider swapping honey with maple syrup or agave for alternative sweeteners, making the recipe friendly for different dietary preferences while maintaining a similar rich taste profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6 to 8
• Calories: 162
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 282 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 21 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg