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
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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