Description
Tender Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs. This simple crock-pot recipe brings savory-sweet flavors with minimal effort for a delicious weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Players:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
- Sweet & Savory Sauce:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- Aromatics:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- Finishing Touches:
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (for slurry)
- 2 tablespoons cold water (for slurry)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- Prep Your Chicken:: First things first, pat those chicken thighs dry with some paper towels. This step, honestly, makes a difference for a better sear later, even though we’re slow cooking. Trim any excess fat you see; I always forget this and then regret it later when I’m fishing bits out. It’s a quick job, but it helps the texture in the end.
- Whisk Up the Sauce:: Grab a medium bowl and whisk together your honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Give it a real good mix until everything is combined. I love how the kitchen starts to smell sweet and tangy already; it’s a little preview of the deliciousness to come. Don’t worry if it looks a bit thin; we’ll fix that later!
- Sear for Flavor (Optional but Recommended):: Now, I know this is a slow cooker recipe, but if you have an extra few minutes, sear those chicken thighs in a hot pan with a little oil for 2-3 minutes per side until they’re golden. This step, while optional, adds so much depth of flavor and a lovely color. I once skipped this, and the chicken was still good, but that extra bit of browning just makes it sing! Transfer them to your slow cooker.
- Slow Cooker Time:: Pour that glorious honey garlic sauce all over the chicken thighs in the slow cooker. Make sure they’re nestled in there, mostly covered by the sauce. Set your slow cooker to low for 3-4 hours or high for 2-3 hours. Now, this is where the magic happens and your house starts smelling absolutely incredible. I always find myself peeking in, eager for dinner!
- Thicken the Sauce:: Once the chicken is cooked through and super tender (it should shred easily!), carefully remove the chicken thighs from the slow cooker and set them aside. Whisk your cornstarch with a bit of cold water to make a slurry. Pour this into the sauce in the slow cooker, whisking constantly. Turn the slow cooker to high or transfer the sauce to a saucepan on the stove and simmer for 5-10 minutes until the sauce thickens to a beautiful, glossy glaze. This is where I always taste and adjust seasonings, maybe a little more soy or honey!
- Shred and Serve:: Shred the chicken using two forks right in the slow cooker, or on a cutting board, then return it to the thickened sauce, tossing to coat. Oh, the sight of that tender, saucy chicken! It just begs to be eaten. Garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and fresh green onions. This is the moment I always sample a tiny piece (or two!) straight from the pot. Pure bliss!