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Easy Slow Cooker Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

slow cooker honey garlic chicken - featured image

Tender, sticky, and sweet-savory chicken thighs made effortlessly in the slow cooker. A simple honey garlic glaze transforms into a glossy, restaurant-quality sauce with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (900g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup (170g) honey
  • 1/3 cup (80ml) low-sodium soy sauce
  • 45 cloves garlic, minced (about 1.5 tablespoons)
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
  • Chopped green onions, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
  2. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together honey, low-sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and sesame oil until well combined.
  3. Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the bottom of a 4-6 quart slow cooker in a single layer (slight overlap is okay). Pour the honey garlic sauce over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2.5 hours, until the chicken is fork-tender. Do not open the lid during cooking.
  5. Using tongs, carefully transfer the cooked chicken to a plate or cutting board. Tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
  6. Turn the slow cooker to high. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water to form a smooth slurry. Pour the slurry into the hot liquid in the slow cooker and stir well. Cook uncovered for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
  7. Return the chicken to the slow cooker and toss gently in the thickened sauce until fully coated. Let sit for 5 minutes to absorb flavor.
  8. Transfer the glazed chicken to a serving platter. Spoon remaining sauce over the top. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

For a thicker, more caramelized glaze, transfer the sauce to a small saucepan after removing the chicken and simmer on the stovetop over medium heat for 5-7 minutes. Toasting sesame seeds in a dry skillet for 1-2 minutes enhances their nutty flavor. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, chicken thighs, honey garlic, sticky chicken, easy dinner, weeknight meal, gluten-free option