Description
A lazy, budget-friendly weeknight dinner featuring tender chicken thighs in a sweet, savory, and garlicky honey garlic sauce. Requires only 5 minutes of prep and delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2.5 to 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 6–8 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water (for slurry)
- Sesame seeds and sliced green onions (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and arrange them in a single layer at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, ground ginger, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and chicken broth until the honey is mostly dissolved.
- Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken thighs, ensuring each piece is coated.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours (or HIGH for 2-3 hours if in a rush). Do not open the lid during cooking.
- About 30 minutes before serving, check that chicken is cooked through (165°F). In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and cold water to create a smooth slurry.
- Pour the slurry into the slow cooker, stir gently to distribute, and cover. Cook on HIGH for the remaining 30 minutes until the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze.
- Serve hot over steamed rice, noodles, or in lettuce wraps. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if desired.
Notes
Patting the chicken dry helps the sauce adhere. Always use cold water for the cornstarch slurry to prevent clumping. Low-sodium soy sauce is recommended to control salt levels. The sauce can be saved and used as a dip or poured over roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 35
Keywords: slow cooker, honey garlic chicken, chicken thighs, easy dinner, weeknight meals, crockpot recipes, gluten-free option, budget dinner