Honey-Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Recipe

Name: Honey-Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 180 min
Total time: 190 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 4 skinless, boneless chicken thighs; 0.5 cup soy sauce; 0.5 cup ketchup; 0.33333334326744 cup honey; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon dried basil

Cook Time: 180 minutes

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

This easy recipe for honey garlic chicken thighs is perfect for a slow cooker. It combines savory, sweet, and garlicky flavors for a delicious dish that the whole family will enjoy!

Ingredients

4 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
cup soy sauce
cup ketchup
cup honey
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil

Directions

Step 1: Gather all ingredients and prepare your slow cooker. Make sure to have enough room for the chicken thighs to lay in a single layer.

Step 2: Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer in the bottom of a 4-quart slow cooker.

Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, ketchup, honey, minced garlic, and dried basil until well combined.

Step 4: Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken thighs, ensuring they are well-coated.

Step 5: Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Set the cooker to Low and cook for 6 hours, or to High for 3 to 4 hours.

Step 6: Once the chicken is tender and fully cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and serve immediately. Enjoy the flavorful, savory, and sweet dish!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Nutrition	Amount per Serving
Calories	325
Total Fat	12g
Saturated Fat	3g
Cholesterol	71mg
Sodium	2204mg
Total Carbohydrate	34g
Dietary Fiber	1g
Total Sugars	31g
Protein	22g
Vitamin C	6mg
Calcium	34mg
Iron	2mg
Potassium	389mg

Note: Nutritional information is based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may vary depending on your calorie needs.

Honey-Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Recipe

History and Origins

The combination of honey and garlic is a time-tested duo found in various cuisines worldwide. The use of slow cooking to tenderize chicken is a hallmark of modern convenience cooking, allowing home cooks to prepare a flavorful and succulent meal with minimal effort. While the honey-garlic flavor profile has roots in Asian cuisine, particularly Chinese and Korean dishes, the adaptation of this dish in the slow cooker format has become particularly popular in the United States in recent decades, due to the rise of slow-cooking appliances.

Regional Variations

In terms of regional differences, variations of honey-garlic chicken can be found in different cultures. In Chinese cuisine, honey-garlic chicken often incorporates soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil, while Korean dishes might add gochujang (fermented chili paste) for heat. The slow cooker version popularized in American homes focuses on simplicity and ease, with just a few basic ingredients such as soy sauce, ketchup, honey, garlic, and basil. This recipe emphasizes the sweetness of honey combined with the savory richness of soy sauce, making it adaptable to different tastes and easy to customize based on available ingredients.

Distinguishing Features

What makes this recipe stand out from other chicken dishes, particularly other slow cooker chicken recipes, is the simplicity of its ingredients and the balance of flavors. Unlike more complex stews or braises, this honey-garlic chicken doesn't require hours of preparation or multiple steps. The slow cooker ensures the chicken thighs remain moist and tender, while the sauce creates a sticky, sweet glaze. This is in contrast to other similar dishes like General Tsos chicken, which uses a more elaborate battering and frying process, or teriyaki chicken, which typically involves a sweeter, more complex marinade.

Where It's Served

This dish is commonly served in casual settings, making it perfect for family dinners or weeknight meals. It pairs excellently with simple sides like steamed rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad. In many homes, it can be served as a quick, crowd-pleasing option during busy evenings, offering a comforting, flavorful meal with minimal effort. Because of its mild yet rich flavor, it is a great dish to serve to both adults and children alike.

Fun Facts

Here are a few fun facts about honey-garlic chicken:

Honey has been used as a food and medicinal ingredient for thousands of years, praised for its antibacterial properties.
Garlic, one of the oldest cultivated crops, has been used in cooking for over 5,000 years, with historical uses ranging from flavoring to medicinal purposes.
Slow cookers, also known as crockpots, were introduced in the 1970s and became a staple in American kitchens for their ability to cook meals slowly over several hours, making them convenient for busy families.
The combination of honey and garlic is not only delicious but also has health benefitsgarlic is known to boost the immune system, and honey is an excellent natural sweetener with antioxidants.

Conclusion

The Honey-Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs recipe is a perfect example of how simplicity can result in a flavorful and satisfying meal. This dish combines the savory richness of soy sauce with the sweetness of honey, all while the slow cooker ensures that the chicken stays tender and juicy. Its an easy, adaptable dish that is both delicious and comforting, making it a great choice for any occasion. Whether youre a beginner cook or an experienced chef, this recipe is a great way to enjoy a flavorful meal with minimal effort.

FAQ about Honey-Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Recipe

Yes, you can use bone-in chicken thighs. However, keep in mind that the cooking time may increase slightly. Bone-in chicken will take longer to cook through, so you may need to extend the cooking time by 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the thighs.

Yes, you can substitute honey with maple syrup or agave syrup if you're looking for a different flavor or if you prefer a vegan option. The taste will change slightly, but the result will still be delicious.

Store the leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply microwave or reheat on the stove with a bit of the sauce to prevent drying out.

Yes, you can freeze the chicken with the sauce. Let it cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

Absolutely! If you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the amount of honey. If you like it sweeter, you can add a little more honey or ketchup. Adjust the balance to suit your taste preferences.

Yes, you can cook the chicken on high heat for 3-4 hours, but it may not be as tender as cooking it on low for 6 hours. Cooking on low allows the chicken to become more tender and absorb more of the flavors from the sauce.

The recipe contains soy sauce, which is typically not gluten-free. However, you can substitute the soy sauce with gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos to make this dish gluten-free.

This dish goes well with a variety of sides, including rice (Jasmine rice, brown rice, or basmati), steamed vegetables (asparagus, broccoli, or green beans), or even noodles. You can also add a side salad for extra freshness.

Yes, you can add vegetables like carrots, onions, or bell peppers to the slow cooker along with the chicken. Just make sure they are cut into large chunks so they don’t get overcooked during the slow cooking process.

Yes, fresh garlic will work well in this recipe. If using fresh garlic, chop or crush 3 cloves and add them to the sauce mixture. It will give the dish an extra burst of garlic flavor.

If the sauce is too thin, you can thicken it by making a cornstarch slurry. Mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with cold water, then stir it into the sauce and cook for a few more minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency.

Yes, you can use other cuts of chicken, such as drumsticks or breasts. Just be aware that cooking times may vary. Alternatively, you could try using pork or beef, but the flavor profile might change slightly.

Comments

Jennifer Cruz

07/10/2024 09:14:24 PM

Excellent recipe! It is simple to prepare and does not require any unusual ingredients. After seeing concerns about the saltiness in the comments, I swapped out soy sauce for Smoky BBQ flavored liquid coconut aminos. Since I didn't have basil, I substituted Trader Joe's 21 seasoning salute. I scaled down the sauce recipe since I only made 2 thighs and cooked them on high in the slow cooker. They were ready in just an hour and a half. I will definitely be making this dish regularly.

Timothy Roberts

09/24/2023 06:24:00 AM

I recently prepared this dish and found it to be absolutely delicious! I made a few modifications due to unforeseen circumstances. I believe that even without my minor adjustments, this recipe would still be outstanding. Due to a sudden malfunction of my air conditioning during a scorching day with temperatures reaching 98 degrees, I had to adapt the cooking method to avoid heating up the kitchen. I marinated 3 large boneless, skinless chicken thighs in dark soy sauce before transferring them to the crockpot after rinsing off the marinade. I followed the sauce recipe closely, using slightly less regular soy sauce because of the prior dark soy marinade. I also increased the amount of garlic and added a bit of red pepper flakes. The chicken was perfectly cooked after 4 hours on low in the crockpot. Taking a tip from another reviewer, I removed the chicken, made a cornstarch slurry, added it to the sauce in the crockpot, returned the chicken, and switched the crockpot to the warm setting. The result was excellent, especially when paired with basmati rice and topped with thawed green peas. Thank you for sharing this simple yet satisfying recipe!

Brenda Young

05/01/2025 03:22:41 PM

It was a disappointing experience. I couldn't detect any hints of honey or garlic; the overwhelming taste was simply soy sauce.

John Nelson

08/15/2022 11:02:51 PM

I see recipes as simply lists of ingredients and rough measurements, as I hardly ever use measuring tools. It was absolutely fantastic.

audio version

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Cornbread Taco Bake Recipe

View Recipe

Turkey Burgers with Rice Krispies Recipe

audio version

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Honey-Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Recipe