Description
How to make tender honey garlic pulled chicken with sweet and savory sauce that’s perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep success.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Base
- 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Honey Garlic Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground ginger
Thickening Agent
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp cold water
Garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- Red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Pat chicken dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and rub seasonings in well. This builds flavor from the start.
- Make Sauce: Whisk honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, vinegar, brown sugar, and ginger in a bowl. Taste and adjust sweetness as needed for your preference.
- Slow Cook: Place seasoned chicken in slow cooker and pour sauce over top. Cook on low 4 hours until chicken shreds easily with a fork.
- Shred Chicken: Remove chicken and shred with two forks. Don’t worry if it falls apart completely – that’s exactly what we want for pulled chicken.
- Thicken Sauce: Mix cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Stir into cooking liquid and cook on high 10 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Combine Everything: Return shredded chicken to thickened sauce and toss well. Let it absorb the flavors for 5 minutes before serving with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Don’t skip seasoning the chicken first – it makes a huge difference in the final flavor.
- Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
- You can substitute maple syrup for honey if that’s what you have available.
- Serve immediately after combining with sauce for the best texture and temperature.
- Double the recipe easily for meal prep or feeding a larger crowd.
Allergy Information: Soy
Nutrition
- Calories: 285 calories
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Protein: 42g