Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs: 5-Ingredient Dinner
A reliable, slow-cooker chicken recipe that combines bone-in thighs with a sticky, savory-sweet honey garlic glaze. This dish requires minimal prep time and delivers restaurant-quality comfort food with tender meat and rich sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours (Low) or 2-3 hours (High)
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes (Low) or 2 hours 10 minutes (High)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup honey (preferably raw or local wildflower)
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 4 to 5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water (for thickening)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Place them in the bottom of a 4-6 quart slow cooker in a single layer if possible.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes until well incorporated.
- Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on Low for 4 to 5 hours, or on High for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and set aside on a plate.
- Turn the slow cooker to High. Whisk the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch and cold water) and pour it into the simmering sauce.
- Stir gently and let the sauce cook for 5-10 minutes until it thickens to a consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
- Return the chicken to the pot to coat it in the thickened sauce. Serve immediately over steamed rice or with crusty bread.
Notes
For best results, use bone-in, skin-on thighs as they stay juicier than breasts. Patting the chicken dry is crucial to prevent a watery sauce. If you prefer a thicker sauce, do not skip the cornstarch slurry step. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. Freezing is not recommended for the sauce if cornstarch has been added, as it may become grainy upon thawing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Protein: 30
Keywords: crockpot chicken, honey garlic chicken, slow cooker dinner, easy weeknight meals, chicken thighs recipe, gluten-free dinner, meal prep chicken