Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
SLOW COOKER HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN
Sometimes I want a slow cooker recipe that will cook all day, but chicken will be too dry if it cooks that long. That’s why this slow cooker chicken recipe is great for a weeknight. It cooks in about 3 hours!
You will have time to mix this up and get it cooking while you do your afternoon running around, being a soccer/dance/sports parent, dealing with homework/pets/catching up, or whatever else needs your attention.
WHICH CUTS OF CHICKEN WORK BEST IN THIS RECIPE?
Bone-in chicken legs and bone-in chicken thighs are the best for this recipe as written. I like dark meat as it stays very juicy and tender.
Chicken breasts will do well if you keep a close eye on the cook time (they may need less time, depending on their size).
If you are using skinless boneless chicken thighs, they will probably need less time as well, due to being smaller and not having the bone or skin.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs Chicken Legs or Thighs
- 2 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
- 1/4 cup Water
- 1/2 cup Honey
- 1/3 cup Soy Sauce, low sodium
- 2 Tbsp Ketchup
- 1 tsp Ginger, grated
- 4 - 5 lg Garlic Cloves, pressed or finely minced
- 2 Tbsp Onion, finely minced
- 1/4 - 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- To Thicken (whisk together)
- 2 Tbsp Corn Starch
- 3 Tbsp Cold Water
- To Serve
- 4 cups Cooked Rice
- Sesame Seeds for Garnish
- Chopped Scallions for Garnish
Instructions
- Spray the inside of the crock. Turn on to Low setting.
- Salt and pepper all sides of the chicken.
- Add the water to the crock, then place the chicken in there as well. Place the lid on so it starts warming up.
- In a 2 cup measuring cup, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, ginger, garlic, onion, and red pepper flakes. Pour over the chicken.
- Cook on Low for 2 1/2-4 1/2 hours (check after 2 hours). Cook time may vary, by size of chicken, and/or your slow cooker.
- Remove chicken to a plate and cover. Turn the slow cooker to High setting.
- Whisk together the corn starch and cold water. Add to the liquid in the crock and stir.
- Add the chicken back into the crock and cook on High until thickened (usually 10 to 15 minutes) and internal temperature of chicken is 165°.