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Easy Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

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Sticky, sweet, and savory honey garlic chicken thighs made effortlessly in the slow cooker. Perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks, this recipe delivers fall-apart tender chicken with a glossy, caramelized glaze using simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on or boneless, skinless)
  • ⅓ cup honey
  • ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. If using bone-in thighs, trim any excess skin or fat.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, tomato paste, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Taste and adjust honey or soy sauce to preference.
  3. Place the chicken thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker in a single layer if possible. Pour the sauce evenly over the top, coating each piece.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until chicken is fork-tender.
  5. About 30 minutes before serving, carefully remove the chicken to a plate using tongs. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth. Whisk this slurry into the liquid in the slow cooker.
  6. Turn the slow cooker to HIGH, uncovered, and let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened into a glossy, syrupy glaze. If too thin, mix another teaspoon of cornstarch with water and add it in.
  7. Return the chicken to the slow cooker and spoon the thickened sauce over each piece. Let cook for another 10 minutes.
  8. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately over steamed rice, noodles, or with roasted vegetables.

Notes

For extra caramelization, transfer sauced chicken to a baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes. Don’t lift the lid during cooking. The cornstarch slurry is essential for the sticky glaze. If using regular soy sauce, go easy on extra salt. Bone-in thighs have more flavor but take longer to cook.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, honey garlic chicken, chicken thighs, easy dinner, potluck recipe, sticky chicken, gluten-free option

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/easy-slow-cooker-honey-garlic-chicken-thighs/