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Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

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These easy crockpot honey garlic chicken thighs are fall-apart tender, coated in a sticky sweet-savory sauce, and require just 10 minutes of prep. Perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 6–8 thighs)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for searing)
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
  • 2 tablespoons cold water (for cornstarch slurry)
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish
  • Chopped green onions, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Trim off excess fat. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Optional: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. (Can skip to save time.)
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, ketchup, rice vinegar, sriracha (if using), sesame oil, and ground ginger. Taste and adjust if needed.
  4. Place the chicken thighs in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker in a single layer. Pour the sauce evenly over the top, coating all pieces.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2.5-3 hours, until chicken is fork-tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  6. Optional: About 30 minutes before serving, remove chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil. Pour the liquid from the slow cooker into a small saucepan. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat, then slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Pour back over the chicken.
  7. Alternatively, for a lazy thickening method: Stir the cornstarch slurry directly into the slow cooker, turn to HIGH, and cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes until thickened.
  8. Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the top. Serve over steamed rice with extra sauce spooned over.

Notes

Don’t overcook the chicken; 5 hours on low is the sweet spot. Let the chicken rest in the sauce for 10-15 minutes before serving for more flavor. For consistently great results, use an instant-read thermometer; chicken thighs are even better at 175-180°F. If your slow cooker runs hot, add 1/4 cup chicken broth to prevent burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot honey garlic chicken, slow cooker chicken thighs, honey garlic chicken, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://cooksyla.com/easy-crockpot-honey-garlic-chicken-thighs/