Irresistibly Sweet Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Slow cookers have a magical way of turning simple honey garlic chicken into a mouthwatering meal that makes everyone smile.

Aromas will drift through your kitchen, tempting everyone nearby with promises of deliciousness.

Tender chicken pieces practically melt in your mouth with sweet and savory notes dancing together.

Each bite brings comfort and satisfaction without requiring complex cooking techniques.

Weekend dinners become special when this effortless dish emerges from the crockpot, ready to impress.

Minimal ingredients and maximum flavor combine to create a meal you’ll want to make again and again.

Grab your apron and get ready to become the dinner hero your family adores.

Honey Garlic Chicken Made Simple In A Crockpot

• Effortless Meal Prep: Crockpot makes cooking a breeze by doing all the work while you focus on other tasks, eliminating complex cooking techniques and reducing kitchen stress.
• Time-Saving Wonder: Minimal prep time of just 10 minutes means you can throw ingredients together quickly, then let the slow cooker transform them into a delicious meal without constant monitoring.
• Versatile Dining Delight: Easily adaptable dish that works perfectly for busy weeknights, meal prep, family dinners, or casual gatherings, with simple serving options like rice, noodles, or vegetables to suit different preferences.
• Flavor-Packed Convenience: Combines sweet honey, savory garlic, and subtle spices in one pot, creating a mouthwatering meal that's both kid-friendly and impressive enough for adults, with minimal cleanup required.

Flavor Blend for Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Tender meat that absorbs the honey garlic sauce, best when boneless and skinless for easy cooking and shredding.

• Honey, Soy Sauce: Sweet and savory base that creates rich, glossy coating for the chicken, choose pure honey and low-sodium soy sauce for better flavor control.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness and helps tenderize the meat, look for clear, mild-flavored variety.

• Minced Garlic: Provides intense, aromatic flavor, fresh garlic is always better than pre-minced.
• Olive Oil: Helps blend sauce ingredients and adds smooth texture, extra virgin recommended.
• Ground Ginger: Adds warm, spicy undertone to the sauce, dried version works well.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient for adding gentle heat, adjust according to spice preference.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Basic seasonings that balance and enhance overall taste, sea salt or kosher salt preferred.

Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Prep Guide

Step 1: Create Flavor-Packed Sauce

Grab a mixing bowl and whisk together honey, soy sauce, freshly minced garlic, rice vinegar, olive oil, ground ginger, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper until the mixture becomes a smooth, aromatic blend that will make your taste buds dance.

Step 2: Nestle Chicken in Slow Cooker

Gently place chicken breasts into the crockpot and lovingly pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over them, ensuring each piece gets a delicious coating.

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the crockpot and let the magic happen.

Cook on low setting for 4-6 hours or on high setting for 2-3 hours until the chicken becomes incredibly tender and easily falls apart.

Step 4: Transform Chicken into Delectable Shreds

Once cooking is complete, carefully remove the chicken and use two forks to shred it into mouth-watering pieces that will soak up all the incredible sauce.

Step 5: Final Flavor Fusion

Return the shredded chicken back into the crockpot, stirring it thoroughly to ensure every strand is coated with the rich, tangy sauce.

• Fluffy white rice
• Tender noodles
• Roasted vegetables

Sprinkle with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for an extra burst of flavor and visual appeal.

Chicken Tips With Honey Garlic Glaze

• Let the chicken marinate in the honey garlic sauce for 30 minutes before cooking to enhance depth of taste and tenderness.
• Choose chicken breasts of similar size and thickness to ensure even cooking and avoid overcooking, which can lead to dry meat.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with cold water and stir into the liquid during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Swap rice with cauliflower rice or serve over zucchini noodles for a lower-carbohydrate meal option that still delivers amazing flavor.
• This recipe freezes beautifully – store shredded chicken in portioned containers for quick and easy future meals that taste just as delicious as the first serving.

Honey Garlic Chicken Stored Sweet and Juicy

• Store leftover honey garlic chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pack chicken in freezer-safe containers or bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality and taste.
• Transfer chicken to a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few tablespoons of water or sauce, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.
• Warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying. Stir occasionally until heated through and maintain moisture.

What Works With Honey Garlic Chicken

• Pair with Crisp Riesling: Select a chilled, slightly sweet Riesling wine to complement the sweet and savory honey garlic chicken, balancing the dish's bold flavors with its light, refreshing profile.
• Serve with Jasmine Rice: Create a perfect base for the saucy chicken by preparing fluffy jasmine rice, which absorbs the rich honey garlic sauce and provides a delicate, aromatic backdrop.
• Match with Roasted Broccoli: Add roasted broccoli as a side dish, its slightly charred edges and tender interior will contrast beautifully with the tender shredded chicken while providing a nutritious green element.
• Enhance with Sesame Cucumber Salad: Prepare a cool, crunchy cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame seeds to offer a fresh, light counterpoint to the warm, saucy chicken.

Honey Garlic Chicken Variants

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the dish gluten-free. Use gluten-free rice vinegar and serve over cauliflower rice.
• Spicy Kick Variation: Increase red pepper flakes or add sriracha sauce for extra heat. Incorporate diced jalapeños into the sauce for a more intense spicy flavor.
• Low-Carb Option: Skip rice and serve chicken over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. Reduce honey amount and replace with a low-carb sweetener like stevia to maintain sauce consistency.
• Asian-Inspired Remix: Add sesame oil to the sauce and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top. Incorporate grated fresh ginger for a more authentic Asian flavor profile.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts. Just add 1-2 hours to the cooking time and ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has a mild heat from red pepper flakes. You can adjust the amount or omit them completely for a non-spicy version.

• What if I don't have rice vinegar?

White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar make excellent substitutes with similar flavor profiles.

• Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot instead?

Absolutely! Cook on high pressure for 10-12 minutes, then do a quick release and shred the chicken.

Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent crockpot honey garlic chicken brings comfort and flavor to weeknight dinners with minimal effort. Tender chicken pieces swim in a glossy, sweet-savory sauce that promises to delight hungry families and satisfy serious home cooks.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Sauces and Seasonings:

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Aromatics and Oils:

• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Optional Garnish:

• chopped green onions
• sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant marinade by whisking together honey, soy sauce, crushed garlic, rice vinegar, olive oil, ground ginger, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a mixing vessel until thoroughly integrated.
2. Transfer chicken breasts into the crockpot and lavishly coat with the aromatic honey garlic fusion.
3. Secure the lid and allow the chicken to gently simmer on low temperature for 4-6 hours or on high heat for 2-3 hours, ensuring the meat reaches optimal tenderness and complete cooking.
4. Carefully extract the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and utilize two forks to delicately pull apart the meat into succulent shreds.
5. Reintroduce the shredded chicken into the remaining sauce, thoroughly coating each morsel with the rich, complex flavor profile.
6. Present the glazed chicken atop a bed of steamed rice, delicate noodles, or alongside roasted seasonal vegetables.
7. Enhance the visual appeal and add a fresh dimension by garnishing with finely chopped green onions or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.

Notes

• Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt intake and create a healthier version of the dish.
• For a spicier kick, increase red pepper flakes or add sriracha sauce directly into the honey garlic mixture.
• Swap chicken breasts with thighs for a more tender and juicy result, as dark meat holds moisture better during slow cooking.
• Prevent dry chicken by avoiding overcooking; check internal temperature reaches 165°F and remove immediately when done.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours (low) or 2 hours (high)
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg