If you’ve ever been on the lookout for a comforting, effortless dish that bursts with flavor, the Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe is about to become your new best friend. This dish combines tender, juicy chicken slow-cooked to perfection with a luscious honey garlic sauce that balances sweet, tangy, and savory notes in every bite. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug after a long day and is surprisingly simple to prepare. Whether you’re feeding a family or meal prepping for the week, this recipe delivers irresistible taste with minimal effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with this Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe means gathering a handful of pantry staples and fresh ingredients that come together beautifully. Each ingredient adds its own magic—the honey brings natural sweetness, the soy sauce offers a savory depth, and the garlic punches up the aroma and flavor, making every bite unforgettable.
- 2-lb boneless skinless chicken breasts: Perfectly lean and tender, this is the star protein that soaks up all the delicious sauce.
- ½ cup honey: Adds warm, natural sweetness and a sticky glaze that caramelizes slightly during cooking.
- ½ cup soy sauce: Infuses the dish with rich umami and depth that balances the honey’s sweetness.
- ¼ cup water: Lightens the sauce just enough, helping everything meld perfectly without getting too thick too fast.
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic: Fresh garlic is essential here, bringing that fantastic pungent kick that wakes up the palate.
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar: Offers a subtle tang that cuts through the sweetness, adding bright, lively notes.
- Salt and black pepper: Simple seasonings to elevate the chicken and balance the sauce.
How to Make Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Season the Chicken
Start by placing the chicken breasts directly into the crock pot. Lightly season both sides with salt and black pepper to enhance the natural flavors without overpowering the sauce. This simple step sets the stage for a well-balanced dish.
Step 2: Mix the Honey Garlic Sauce
Grab a small bowl and whisk together the honey, soy sauce, water, minced garlic, and apple cider vinegar. This sauce is the heart of the recipe, combining sweet, salty, and tangy elements that create an irresistible glaze once cooked.
Step 3: Pour and Cook Low and Slow
Pour the sauce lovingly over the chicken in the crock pot, ensuring it’s evenly coated. Cover the crock pot and set it to cook on low for 4 to 6 hours. This slow cooking bathes the chicken in flavor, making it incredibly tender without any fuss.
Step 4: Shred and Re-soak
Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts carefully from the crock pot and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crock pot and stir it into the remaining sauce so every morsel gets coated in that luscious honey garlic goodness.
Step 5: Ready to Serve
Now it’s time to plate up this dreamy dish and start enjoying the fruits of your slow cooker magic. We’ll talk about serving suggestions next!
How to Serve Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and freshly chopped green onions is a beautiful way to finish off your honey garlic chicken. The sesame seeds add a delicate nuttiness and crunch, while the green onions bring a fresh, bright bite that contrasts beautifully with the rich sauce.
Side Dishes
This chicken pairs wonderfully with steamed white or brown rice, which soaks up every bit of the saucy goodness. For a low-carb option, try serving it with cauliflower rice or a simple side of roasted vegetables like broccoli or snap peas to add color and crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to get a little fancy or mix things up? Try serving the shredded chicken in warm tortillas with a dollop of sour cream and crunchy slaw for a unique taco twist. Alternatively, layer it over a bed of soba noodles tossed in sesame oil for an Asian-inspired bowl that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe is just as delicious and reheats nicely. Store any extra chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This makes for fast and flavorful lunches or weeknight dinners.
Freezing
If you want to prep ahead or preserve extra portions, this recipe also freezes well. Place cooled chicken in freezer-safe bags or containers, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 3 months. When thawed, the sauce will maintain its wonderful flavor and texture.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the chicken gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave until heated through. Adding a splash of water or broth can help loosen the sauce if it thickens too much during storage. Reheating slowly helps keep the chicken tender and juicy.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a great substitute, offering extra juiciness and flavor. Just adjust the cooking time slightly, as thighs may cook a little faster or slower depending on their size.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
To make the Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe gluten-free, simply use a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari. Everything else in the recipe is naturally gluten-free, making it easy to adapt for dietary needs.
Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd?
Yes, doubling the ingredients will work perfectly, just make sure your crock pot is large enough to accommodate the extra chicken and sauce for even cooking.
How thick will the sauce be?
The sauce will be slightly thick and glossy but still saucy enough to coat the chicken nicely. If you prefer it thicker, you can remove the chicken after cooking and simmer the sauce on the stove to reduce it.
Can I add vegetables to the crock pot?
Definitely! Adding vegetables like sliced bell peppers, carrots, or onions can be a delicious addition. Just add them at the start so they cook alongside the chicken and absorb the flavors.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting about a dish that takes such little effort but delivers so much flavor, and this Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe is exactly that. It’s perfect for busy days, family dinners, or whenever you want a meal that feels special without the hassle. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it your own—it might just become your go-to in no time!
Print
Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken is a deliciously easy slow-cooked dish featuring tender shredded chicken breasts simmered in a flavorful honey garlic sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal, the chicken is sweet, savory, and slightly tangy, served best over rice with a garnish of sesame seeds and green onions.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Honey Garlic Sauce
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Garnish
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Chopped green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts into the crock pot. Season evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor of the chicken as it cooks.
- Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, water, minced garlic, and apple cider vinegar until well combined. This mixture will serve as the sweet and savory sauce for the chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over the chicken in the crock pot. Cover and cook on the LOW setting for 4 to 6 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and infused with the sauce flavors.
- Shred the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts from the crock pot and shred them finely using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back into the crock pot and mix it into the sauce for even coating and flavor distribution.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the honey garlic shredded chicken hot over a bed of rice. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions to add texture and fresh flavor notes.
Notes
- For best results, cook the chicken on LOW to ensure it stays moist and tender.
- Adjust the amount of garlic according to your taste preference.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce if you require a gluten-free diet.
- This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables or a side salad for a balanced meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
