Tender Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
A simple and delicious slow cooker recipe featuring tender chicken thighs glazed in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights with just 5 ingredients and minimal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5-6 hours (low) or 2.5-3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes (low) or 2 hours 40 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (boneless works too, reduce cooking time slightly)
- 1/3 cup honey (preferably raw or wildflower)
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (optional but recommended)
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels to help sauce stick better. Optional: Brown chicken in a hot skillet for 3-4 minutes per side until golden.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and apple cider vinegar until well combined.
- Arrange chicken thighs in a single layer in the slow cooker. Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the chicken, coating every piece.
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 2.5-3 hours until chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Avoid opening the lid frequently.
- If sauce is too thin after cooking, remove chicken and simmer sauce in a saucepan over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until thickened to a glaze consistency. Spoon over chicken before serving.
- Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot with rice, steamed vegetables, or preferred sides.
Notes
Browning the chicken before slow cooking adds deeper flavor but is optional. Use fresh garlic for best taste. If sauce is thin after cooking, simmer on stove to thicken. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Boneless thighs cook faster (3-4 hours on low). Avoid overcrowding slow cooker for even cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Protein: 28
Keywords: slow cooker, honey garlic chicken, chicken thighs, easy dinner, 5-ingredient recipe, crockpot chicken, family meal, weeknight dinner