This slow cooker honey garlic chicken thighs recipe features tender boneless skinless chicken thighs cooked in a delicious honey garlic sauce.
The combination of soy sauce, fresh ginger, and garlic powder creates a flavor profile that is both sweet and savory, making it a family favorite.
With minimal prep time and the convenience of a Crock Pot, this easy slow cooker chicken recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it over white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice for a complete meal, and enjoy the leftovers the next day for personal consumption.
And below the main recipe, I give you both an Instant Pot version as well as a slow cooker version with added veggies!
Understanding the Ingredients
The foundation of Crock-Pot honey garlic chicken thighs lies in its simple yet flavorful ingredients.
Boneless skinless chicken thighs are the star of this dish, offering tender meat that absorbs the rich honey garlic sauce beautifully.
Combining soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and fresh ginger creates a delightful flavor profile that balances sweetness and savory notes.
For those who enjoy a bit of heat, adding sambal oelek can elevate the dish further, making it a family favorite.
Preparation Made Easy
With just 10 minutes of prep time, this easy crockpot chicken recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
Begin by seasoning the chicken thighs with salt and pepper before placing them in the slow cooker. Mix the sauce ingredients in a small bowl, then pour the mixture over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
Slow Cooking for Flavor
The magic of this recipe happens during the slow cooking process.
Set your Crock-Pot to low heat for 6-7 hours or medium heat for 3-4 hours. This long cooking time allows the flavors to meld, resulting in tender chicken thighs that are full of great flavor.
Thickening the Sauce
If you prefer a thicker sauce, there’s a simple solution.
After cooking, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and stir in a cornstarch slurry made with equal parts cornstarch and water.
Return the chicken to the pot and let it cook on high for an additional 15-20 minutes until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs wonderfully with fluffy white rice or brown rice, providing a perfect base to soak up the delicious sauce. For a healthier option, consider serving it over cauliflower rice.
Don’t forget to garnish with chopped green onions for a pop of color and extra flavor. A side of vibrant green beans or sweet potatoes adds a nutritious touch to your meal.
Storage and Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in a large skillet or microwave, and enjoy the tender chicken thighs and rich sauce all over again!
Easy Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
This recipe yields tender chicken thighs that are slow-cooked to perfection. The cooking time allows the flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in a delicious sauce that can be thickened with a cornstarch slurry if desired. Pair with green beans or sweet potatoes for a well-rounded dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon sambal oelek (optional for heat)
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)
- Chopped green onions for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Season the boneless chicken thighs with salt and pepper and place them in the slow cooker.
- Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, fresh ginger, garlic powder, and chicken broth. Pour the mixture over the chicken thighs.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on medium heat for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
- Thicken the Sauce: If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and stir in the cornstarch slurry. Cook on high for an additional 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Serve: Return the chicken to the slow cooker to coat with the sauce. Serve over white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice, and garnish with chopped green onions.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours on low or 3-4 hours on medium heat
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
Nutrition Information
- Servings: 4 servings
- Calories: 320kcal
- Fat: 12g
- Protein: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs with Veggies
This version of slow cooker chicken thighs includes hearty vegetables that cook right along with the chicken. The soy-honey sauce seeps into the carrots, potatoes, and green beans for a full meal that’s ready when you are. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon sambal oelek (optional for heat)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 pound baby potatoes, halved
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cups fresh green beans, trimmed
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables and Chicken: Lightly season chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Add baby potatoes and carrots to the bottom of the slow cooker. Place the chicken thighs on top of the vegetables.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, minced ginger, garlic powder, sambal oelek (if using), and chicken broth. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken and vegetables.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours. During the last 30 minutes of cooking, add the green beans on top. Re-cover and cook until tender.
- Thicken the Sauce: Remove the chicken and vegetables from the slow cooker. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook on high for about 15 minutes until the sauce thickens. Return the chicken and vegetables to the pot and stir to coat.
- Serve: Spoon the chicken and vegetables onto plates, drizzle with extra sauce, and garnish with chopped green onions. Serve hot for a complete one-pot dinner.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–7 hours on low or 3–4 hours on high
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
Nutrition Information
- Servings: 4 servings
- Calories: 400kcal
- Fat: 13g
- Protein: 32g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe
This Instant Pot version of chicken thighs creates tender, flavorful meat with a rich honey garlic sauce in a fraction of the time. The pressure cooking locks in flavor, and the sauce can be thickened easily for serving. Perfect over rice, noodles, or steamed veggies for a quick, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon sambal oelek (optional for heat)
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Lightly season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Sauté in the Instant Pot: Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté mode and add a tablespoon of oil. Once hot, sear the chicken thighs for 2–3 minutes per side until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: Add the soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, garlic powder, sambal oelek, and chicken broth to the pot. Stir well, scraping any browned bits from the bottom.
- Pressure Cook: Return the chicken to the pot, ensuring each piece is coated in the sauce. Lock the lid, set the valve to Sealing, and cook on Manual High Pressure for 10 minutes. Allow a 5-minute natural pressure release, then quick-release any remaining pressure.
- Thicken the Sauce: Remove the chicken and switch back to Sauté mode. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Return the chicken to the pot and coat it in the thickened sauce.
- Serve: Serve the chicken over rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables. Garnish with chopped green onions and a drizzle of extra sauce if desired.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition Information
- Servings: 4 servings
- Calories: 330kcal
- Fat: 12g
- Protein: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
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