Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Name: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: PT-481858H14M38S
Total time: PT-481858H14M38S
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs); 1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce; 1/2 cup honey; 1/4 cup hoisin sauce; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 6 to 8 garlic cloves, finely minced; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 scallions, sliced; 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

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This easy, Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken recipe features tender, succulent chicken infused with the mouthwatering flavors of sweet honey and aromatic garlic, all simmered to perfection in a convenient slow cooker!

Slow cooker honey garlic chicken over white rice topped with sliced scallions placed in two white bowls with a pair of chopsticks on top and a small bowl of sesame seeds and a green napkin on the side, on top of a marble surface.

Who needs takeout when you can make this classic, comforting Chinese dish at home in your own kitchen? Honey Garlic Chicken will quickly become one of your favorite go-to Asian dishes! Learn how to make this easy, slow cooker recipe below.

Slow cooker honey garlic chicken over white rice topped with sliced scallions placed in two white bowls with a pair of chopsticks on top and a green napkin on the side, on top of a marble surface.

In This Article:

What ingredients are in honey garlic chicken?
Variations and Substitutions
How do you make honey garlic chicken?
Storage instructions
Common FAQ's
Want more recipes like this one?
Recipe notes
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

What ingredients are in honey garlic chicken?

[*See recipe card for exact quantities.]

Labeled ingredients in white bowls on top of a marble surface, with stalks of scallions on the side.

You may already have most of these ingredients in your pantry (especially if you're a fan of Asian cooking!).

chicken breasts (or chicken thighs)
reduced-sodium soy sauce
honey
hoisin souce
rice vinegar
sesame oil
garlic cloves
scallions
toasted sesame seeds
salt & pepper

This chicken dish was inspired by my Honey Garlic Chicken Wings recipe. You'll want to make a jumbo batch of these sticky, tasty wings for your next tailgate party!

Variations and Substitutions

Chicken thighs. If you love chicken thighs as much as I do, use thighs instead of chicken breasts. The flavors will be deep and delicious!
Honey. Sticky honey is the best option, but you could use maple syrup for this recipe. The taste will be slightly different.
Gluten free. Make this recipe gluten free by substituting the soy sauce for tamari, gluten-free soy sauce, or coconut aminos. And most commercial hoisin sauces are not gluten free, so sub it out with gluten-free hoisin sauce. Make sure your rice vinegar is gluten-free. Read the label, some of them contain gluten. This rice vinegar does not.
Thicker sauce. If you like your sauce a bit thicker, after the chicken is done cooking, remove the chicken and place remaining sauce into a small sauce pot over medium heat. In a small bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons water and add to the sauce. Keep stirring until sauce has thickened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the sauce and chicken back into the slow cooker to thoroughly coat the chicken.
Rice. Any rice will do here as a base for the honey garlic chicken. I used steamed Jasmine rice, but brown rice, fried rice, or cauliflower rice would also be delicious!
Toppings. I used sliced scallions and sesame seeds to garnish this dish. But you can always choose your own toppings, like chopped cilantro or furikake seasoning.

Three raw chicken breasts on a wooden cutting board on top of a black and white napkin.

Plump chicken breasts are cooked to perfection in a fragrant honey garlic sauce in the slow cooker, and shredded when done.

TOP TIP: Do not put frozen chicken in a slow cooker. Placing frozen chicken in a slow cooker can result in uneven cooking, where the outer portions of the chicken may be overcooked, while the center remains undercooked increasing the risk of bacteria.

How do you make honey garlic chicken?

Follow these simple steps to make this easy and delicious Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken recipe at home!

[*See recipe card for detailed instructions.]

Four chicken breast fillets placed inside a slow cooker with ingredients for the honey garlic sauce in small white bowls around the slow cooker, on top of a marble surface.

1. Place the chicken breasts into a slow cooker.

Four raw chicken breast fillets bathing in a savory, honey garlic sauce topped with minced garlic and placed in a slow cooker on top of a marble surface.

2. Add all of the sauce ingredients into the slow cooker.

Four cooked chicken breast fillets bathing in a honey garlic sauce, on top of a marble surface.

3. Cook 3-4 hours on high, or 6-7 hours on low.

Shredded honey garlic chicken inside a slow cooker with a hand beater on the side, on top of a marble surface.

4. Shred the chicken with a large fork or a hand mixer.

5. Serve the honey garlic chicken over a bed of rice with extra sauce for drizzling. Garnish with sliced scallions and sesame seeds. Dig in!

Why you'll love this slow cooker honey garlic chicken recipe!

Effortless Preparation: With the convenience of a slow cooker, this honey garlic chicken recipe requires minimal hands-on time. Simply combine the ingredients, set it, and forget it!
Irresistible Flavor: The combination of sweet honey and aromatic garlic creates a mouthwatering flavor profile that is both comforting and satisfying. The honey adds a delicate sweetness that balances perfectly with the savory notes of garlic, resulting in a harmonious and delicious taste.
Tender and Juicy Chicken: Slow cooking allows the chicken to cook gently and slowly, ensuring that it remains moist, tender, and full of flavor. Each bite of this honey garlic chicken will be incredibly juicy and succulent!

Storage instructions

For leftovers: Leftovers from this slow cooker honey garlic chicken are just as delicious as the initial meal. You can repurpose them into sandwiches, wraps, or salads for a quick and satisfying lunch or dinner the next day! Simply store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.

To freeze: Cool the honey garlic chicken completely before transferring into a freezer-friendly container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

A hand using chopsticks for a bite of slow cooker honey garlic chicken over white rice topped with sliced scallions in a white bowl, and a small bowl of sesame seeds and a green napkin on the side, on top of a marble surface.

This delightful honey garlic chicken combines simplicity and incredible taste, making it the ultimate go-to meal for busy days when you crave a homemade dinner that requires minimal effort.

Common FAQ's

What's the difference between a slow cooker and a Crock Pot?

A slow cooker and a Crockpot are basically the same thing! A slow cooker is an appliance of which there are lots of different brands. Crockpot is one brand of a slow cooker. Crockpots popularized slow cookers when they launched their version in the 1970's.

What is honey garlic sauce made of?

Just 6 ingredients is all you need! Honey garlic sauce is made of, well… honey and garlic, of course! But also soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil are used to complete this iconic sauce.

What goes well with honey garlic chicken?

Consider these side dishes to pair with your Honey Garlic Chicken: Chinese Garlic Green Beans, Roasted Asparagus and Shiitake Mushrooms, Baby Bok Choy with Ginger and Garlic, or Roasted Rainbow Carrots.

Want more recipes like this one?

If you liked this Honey Garlic Chicken recipe, you're going to want these delicious recipes too!

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Bánh Mí
Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef
Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
Grilled Shrimp with Honey Garlic Miso
Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein
Instant Pot Coconut Curry Pork

Recipe notes

You can always use thighs instead of chicken breasts. The flavors will be deep and delicious! Do not use frozen chicken in the slow cooker. The chicken will cook unevenly.
Make this recipe gluten free by substituting the soy sauce for tamari, gluten-free soy sauce, or coconut aminos. And most commercial hoisin sauces are not gluten free, so sub it out with gluten-free hoisin sauce.
Any rice will do here as a base for the honey garlic chicken. I used steamed Jasmine rice, but brown rice, fried rice, or cauliflower rice would also be delicious!