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Crowd-Pleasing Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs (Easy Recipe)

crockpot honey garlic chicken thighs - featured image

This easy slow cooker recipe features tender chicken thighs in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Perfect for feeding a crowd with minimal effort, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that lets you enjoy your own party.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1.4 kg)
  • ½ cup honey (170 g)
  • ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce (80 ml)
  • ¼ cup ketchup (60 ml)
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha (or to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (30 ml)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil (15 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (16 g) mixed with 2 tablespoons water
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Sauce: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, sriracha, rice vinegar, and sesame oil until smooth.
  2. Arrange the Chicken: Place chicken thighs in a 6-quart slow cooker in a single layer as much as possible. Pat dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Pour the Sauce Over the Chicken: Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken. Use tongs to turn the pieces and coat them all. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours (do not open lid during first 3 hours).
  4. Make the Cornstarch Slurry: About 30 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with cold water in a small bowl until smooth.
  5. Thicken the Sauce: Remove chicken with tongs and set aside. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker liquid and whisk. Cover and cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes until thickened.
  6. Return the Chicken to the Sauce: Return chicken to the slow cooker, turning to coat. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Transfer to a serving platter, spoon remaining sauce over top, and garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve hot.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. For a spicier version, double the sriracha or add red pepper flakes. To get caramelized edges, broil the cooked chicken for 2-3 minutes before serving. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot chicken, honey garlic chicken, slow cooker chicken thighs, easy chicken recipe, crowd-pleasing chicken