Description
This Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs recipe offers tender, flavorful chicken simmered in a sweet and savory sauce made from honey, garlic, soy sauce, and ginger. Perfect for a hands-off meal, it’s easy to prepare and yields a delicious dish ideal for serving over rice and garnished with scallions and sesame seeds.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
For Serving
- Chopped scallions
- Sesame seeds
- Rice (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the boneless skinless chicken thighs evenly into the slow cooker base to form a single layer, ensuring they cook uniformly.
- Mix the Sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, honey, ketchup, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, grated fresh ginger, and if you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. This combination creates the flavorful sauce that will infuse the chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken thighs in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 3.5 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours, until the chicken is tender and infused with the sauce flavors.
- Thicken the Sauce: About 15 minutes before serving, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth. Stir this slurry into the slow cooker to thicken the sauce. Continue cooking on high for the additional 15 minutes until the sauce has thickened to a desirable consistency.
- Shred and Serve: Remove the chicken thighs and shred them using two forks directly in the slow cooker or on a plate, then stir to coat with the thickened sauce. Serve the chicken over cooked rice, and garnish with chopped scallions and sesame seeds for texture and flavor contrast.
Notes
- Using low-sodium soy sauce helps control the saltiness of the dish.
- Crushed red pepper flakes are optional; adjust according to your heat preference.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari.
- You can prepare this recipe a day ahead; flavors often improve after resting overnight in the refrigerator.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
