If you love set-it-and-forget-it meals, then this slow cooker honey garlic chicken will instantly become your new go-to dinner. It’s tender, juicy, full of sweet-savory flavor, and requires almost zero kitchen effort. Whether you’re looking for a cozy weeknight meal, a meal-prep friendly chicken recipe, or a versatile dish that pairs with almost anything, this crockpot classic delivers every single time.

This dish uses a simple combination of pantry staples—honey, garlic, soy sauce, and a few seasonings—to create a glossy, sticky sauce that coats the chicken beautifully. It’s similar to your favorite takeout chicken but made healthier, cheaper, and slower-cooked to perfection. If you’ve been searching for the perfect crockpot honey garlic chicken recipe, this guide gives you everything you need for success, including variations, serving ideas, and tips to nail the flavor every time.

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Slow cooker honey garlic chicken is one of those dishes you can throw together in the morning and return to a fully cooked, fragrant dinner waiting for you. The chicken becomes perfectly shredded and tender, absorbing all the flavorful sauce. It’s also a great alternative to heavy creamy dishes like white chicken chili slow cooker recipes when you’re craving something lighter and sweeter.

Here’s why this recipe stands out:

• Effortless prep – 10 minutes, no pre-cooking required.

• Family-friendly – Everyone loves the sweet garlic flavor.

• Versatile – Serve it over rice, noodles, or vegetables.

• Meal-prep approved – Stores wonderfully for lunches.

• Budget-friendly – Made with inexpensive, accessible ingredients.

Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a beginner, this honey garlic chicken crock pot recipe is nearly foolproof.

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a sweet, savory, and incredibly tender crockpot dinner made with simple pantry ingredients. The honey-garlic sauce becomes sticky, glossy, and full of comforting flavor as it slow-cooks. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep lunches, or an easy family dinner. Serve over rice, noodles, or roasted vegetables for a complete, satisfying meal.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 hours hrs

Total Time 5 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

• For the Chicken
• 2 lbs chicken breasts or thighs
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Honey Garlic Sauce
• ½ cup honey
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tsp sriracha or chili sauce optional
• To Thicken
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp water
• Optional Garnish
• Sesame seeds
• Green onions
• Red pepper flakes

Instructions

 

• Add the Chicken
• Place the chicken breasts or thighs into the bottom of the slow cooker. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
• Mix the Sauce
• In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, vinegar, minced garlic, and sriracha (if using).
• Pour Over Chicken
• Pour the honey-garlic mixture evenly over the chicken in the crockpot.
• Slow Cook
• Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
• Shred the Chicken
• Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the slow cooker.
• Thicken the Sauce
• In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to make a slurry.
• Add it to the slow cooker and stir. Cook uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
• Serve
• Spoon the saucy shredded honey garlic chicken over rice, noodles, or vegetables. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

Notes

Chicken Breast vs Thighs: Chicken thighs stay juicier and richer, but breasts work perfectly if you want a leaner option.

Add Vegetables: Broccoli, peppers, carrots, or snap peas can be added during the last hour of cooking.

Make It Spicier: Add extra sriracha, chili flakes, or sambal for a sweet-and-spicy version.

Meal Prep Friendly: Lasts 4 days in the fridge and freezes well for up to 2 months.

Sauce Too Thin? Add a little more cornstarch slurry until your desired thickness.

Ingredients That Make the Sauce Perfect

A great sauce is the heart of the best honey garlic chicken. This one is simple but powerful:

• Honey – Adds natural sweetness and gives the sauce its sticky glaze.

• Garlic – Fresh minced garlic is best; it adds punch and depth.

• Soy Sauce – Brings savory, salty balance to the sweetness.

• Rice Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar – Brightens the dish.

• Ketchup – Adds richness and color.

• Sriracha (optional) – For a hint of heat.

• Cornstarch Slurry – Thickens the sauce at the end.

Using just these ingredients, the sauce becomes glossy, rich, and absolutely irresistible.

‍ How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

This dish is incredibly simple because the slow cooker does the work. Here’s how to get beautifully tender chicken every time:

1. Add Chicken to the Slow Cooker

Place 2 pounds of chicken breasts or thighs into your crockpot. Thighs are richer and juicier, while breasts are leaner.

2. Whisk the Honey Garlic Sauce

In a bowl, combine:

• ½ cup honey

• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce

• ¼ cup ketchup

• 2 tablespoons vinegar

• 4 cloves minced garlic

• 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional)

Pour this mixture over the chicken.

3. Cook Until Tender

Cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours. Low-and-slow cooking helps the honey caramelize and makes the chicken extra tender.

4. Shred the Chicken

Remove the chicken, shred with two forks, and return it to the crockpot.

5. Thicken the Sauce

Stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water). Cook another 15 minutes uncovered until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.

Best Ways to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken

This recipe is incredibly flexible, making it easy to build meals throughout the week. Here’s how people commonly enjoy crockpot honey garlic chicken:

Over Rice

The classic—and perfect—pairing. Serve over jasmine, basmati, or brown rice.

With Noodles

Rice noodles, ramen, or even spaghetti make a great base for this sticky chicken.

In Lettuce Wraps

A lighter, refreshing option with a hint of crunch.

As a Meal Prep Bowl

Pair with roasted vegetables, rice, and green onions.

On Sandwiches or Sliders

The sweet-savory flavor works beautifully in toasted rolls.

Variations You Can Try

You can easily customize this honey garlic chicken crock pot recipe to match your taste or dietary preferences.

1. Add Vegetables

Stir in veggies during the last hour of cooking:

• Broccoli

• Snap peas

• Carrots

• Bell peppers

2. Make It Spicy

Add more sriracha, crushed red pepper, or Thai chili sauce.

3. Use Chicken Thighs

They stay juicier and absorb sauce more deeply.

4. Swap Honey for Maple

A richer fall-inspired flavor, great when paired with carrots or sweet potatoes.

How to Store and Freeze

This recipe stores beautifully, making it ideal for batch cooking.

• Refrigerator: Up to 4 days in an airtight container.

• Freezer: Up to 2 months. Freeze in a flat freezer bag for best texture.

• Reheating: Warm gently on the stove or microwave, adding a splash of water if needed.

✔ Final Thoughts

This slow cooker honey garlic chicken is everything you want in an easy dinner: flavorful, tender, budget-friendly, and incredibly low effort. The sweetness of the honey, the savory soy, and the punch of garlic create a balanced sauce that makes the chicken unbelievably delicious. Whether you’re building meal-prep bowls or serving a simple weeknight dinner, this recipe will quickly become a repeat in your rotation.