Cozy Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
A comforting slow cooker recipe featuring tender chicken thighs in a sweet and sticky honey garlic glaze, perfect for cozy weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 pounds / 1.4 kg)
- ⅓ cup (113 g) honey
- ¼ cup (60 ml) soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) rice vinegar
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) water
- 1 tablespoon (8 g) cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) sesame oil (optional)
- Fresh green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds, toasted (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, water, and sesame oil (if using). Set aside.
- Optional: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of oil. Pat chicken thighs dry and sear skin-side down for 3-4 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip and cook another 2 minutes. This step adds texture but can be skipped.
- Place the chicken thighs skin-side up in the crockpot. Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Avoid lifting the lid frequently.
- About 15 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry. Stir it into the crockpot and turn the heat to high to thicken the sauce. Stir gently until the sauce is glossy and clingy.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed with extra soy sauce or honey. Sprinkle chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds over the top before serving.
- Serve the chicken with the sticky glaze spooned over. Pairs well with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables.
Notes
Avoid overcrowding the crockpot to prevent steaming and soggy skin. Fresh minced garlic provides the best flavor. Searing chicken before slow cooking adds texture but is optional. If sauce is too thin after thickening, remove chicken and simmer sauce uncovered to reduce further. Leftovers can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1-2 chicken th
- Calories: 320350
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 1012
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 28
Keywords: honey garlic chicken, crockpot chicken, slow cooker recipe, easy chicken thighs, sticky glaze chicken, comfort food