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Sticky Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs (Easy Recipe)

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Tender, fall-apart chicken thighs coated in a glossy, sweet-and-savory honey garlic sauce, made effortlessly in the slow cooker. Perfect for busy weeknights, this set-it-and-forget-it recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (900g) bone-in, skin removed chicken thighs
  • 1/3 cup (110g) honey
  • 1/3 cup (80ml) low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 4–5 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • Green onions, sliced (for garnish)
  • Sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Sear the chicken (optional but worth it): Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs with a pinch of salt and pepper, then sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Do not cook through.
  2. Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Taste and adjust if needed.
  3. Layer in the slow cooker: Place the seared chicken thighs in the slow cooker in a single layer. Pour the sauce mixture over the top, ensuring every piece is coated.
  4. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2.5-3 hours, until the chicken is fork-tender and pulls away from the bone easily.
  5. Thicken the sauce: About 30 minutes before serving, remove the chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Pour the slurry into the slow cooker with the juices, stir well, and turn the heat to HIGH. Cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze.
  6. Return the chicken: Put the chicken thighs back into the thickened sauce, spooning the glaze over each piece. Let them warm through for another 5 minutes.
  7. Serve and garnish: Transfer the chicken to a serving platter, pour any remaining sauce over the top, and sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

For a gluten-free option, swap soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. If the sauce isn’t thickening after 15 minutes, mix another teaspoon of cornstarch with a teaspoon of water and add it in. The chicken tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker honey garlic chicken, sticky chicken thighs, honey garlic chicken, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, crockpot chicken

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