Kid-Friendly Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken: Easy 4-Ingredient Dinner
This easy slow cooker honey garlic chicken uses just 4 ingredients and 20 minutes of prep to create a sweet-savory, kid-friendly dinner that tastes like takeout. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s budget-friendly, picky eater approved, and freezes beautifully.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes to 6 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Ingredients
- 2 pounds (about 900 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup (170 grams) honey
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- Optional: 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
- Optional garnish: sliced green onions and sesame seeds
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Trim off any excess fat. Place the chicken in the bottom of your slow cooker in a single layer.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic until smooth. Taste and adjust sweetness or saltiness as desired.
- Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken thighs. Use tongs to flip each piece to ensure they are fully coated.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Shred the chicken using two forks directly in the slow cooker, or leave thighs whole if preferred.
- Optional: For a thicker glaze, remove the chicken to a plate. Pour the liquid from the slow cooker into a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Whisk in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened. Pour the sauce back over the chicken and toss to coat.
- Serve over steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
For best results, use chicken thighs instead of breasts to prevent dryness. If using chicken breasts, check at 2 hours on low. The sauce can be thickened with a cornstarch slurry for a restaurant-style glaze. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days and freeze for up to 3 months. For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/6
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 24
- Protein: 28
Keywords: slow cooker honey garlic chicken, kid-friendly dinner, 4-ingredient recipe, easy weeknight meal, budget-friendly chicken, freezer-friendly, gluten-free option