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Easy Tender Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe Perfect for Beginners

easy tender crockpot honey garlic chicken - featured image

A simple, hands-off crockpot recipe for tender and flavorful honey garlic chicken, perfect for busy weeknights and beginners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/3 cup honey (about 110g)
  • 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce (60ml)
  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup (30g)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (15ml)
  • 1/4 cup water (60ml)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (8g), mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water for thickening
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Optional garnish: chopped green onions or sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Pat 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs dry with paper towels and trim to uniform sizes if needed. (5 minutes)
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine 1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup water, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Stir until smooth. (5 minutes)
  3. Place chicken thighs in the crockpot in a single layer. Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the chicken without stirring. (2 minutes)
  4. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). (4-5 hours low or 2-3 hours high)
  5. About 15 minutes before serving, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth. Stir the slurry into the crockpot and cook uncovered for 10-15 minutes to thicken the sauce. (15 minutes)
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds. Serve hot with steamed rice or vegetables. (5 minutes)

Notes

Use chicken thighs for juiciness and tenderness; breasts can dry out if overcooked. Avoid stirring during cooking to keep chicken texture intact. Use cold water for cornstarch slurry to prevent lumps. Adjust seasoning at the end. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey garlic chicken, crockpot chicken, slow cooker recipe, easy dinner, beginner recipe, comfort food, honey garlic sauce