Description
Succulent honey garlic slow cooker chicken brings sweet and savory magic to dinner tables everywhere. Tender meat glazed with rich honey and garlic creates a simple yet irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 6 large chicken thighs, skinless and bone-in
Rub:
- 1 teaspoon paprika (mild or smoked)
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- ½ teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cracked pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Oil and Liquid Base:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- ¼ cup water or chicken broth
Butter and Seasonings:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped or minced
- 1 pinch salt
- ½ teaspoon cracked pepper
Thickener:
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Meticulously blot chicken thighs using paper towels to remove excess moisture, creating an ideal surface for seasoning.
- Create a flavorful rub by mixing olive oil with selected spices, massaging the mixture thoroughly into each chicken thigh to ensure deep flavor penetration.
- Optionally enhance the chicken’s taste profile by searing in a hot skillet over medium heat, developing rich caramelized exterior notes for approximately 2 minutes per side.
- Carefully transfer seared chicken pieces into the slow cooker basin, preparing for the upcoming sauce infusion.
- Utilize the same skillet to melt butter, capturing any delectable browned fragments from the searing process, then introduce minced garlic and sauté until aromatic.
- Incorporate remaining sauce ingredients, allowing the mixture to gently simmer and marry flavors for one minute before removing from heat.
- Generously cascade the prepared sauce over chicken thighs, ensuring comprehensive and even coating within the slow cooker.
- Allow chicken to cook on HIGH temperature for 2-3 hours or LOW temperature for 5-6 hours, periodically basting to maintain moisture and flavor distribution.
- Remove chicken and let rest briefly under a foil tent, allowing juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
- Transform cooking liquid into a luxurious sauce by simmering and creating a cornstarch slurry to achieve desired consistency.
- For maximum flavor development, broil chicken briefly on a lined baking sheet, basting with sauce to create caramelized edges.
- Plate the chicken, drizzling with the reduced, glossy sauce and serving immediately to preserve optimal temperature and texture.
Notes
- Searing the chicken before slow cooking adds a deep, rich flavor that elevates the entire dish.
- Basting the chicken halfway through cooking ensures maximum moisture and even distribution of the honey garlic sauce.
- Creating a cornstarch slurry helps thicken the sauce to a perfect glazed consistency without lumps.
- Optional broiling at the end gives the chicken crispy, caramelized edges that make the dish look and taste restaurant-quality.
- Letting the chicken rest after cooking allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat incredibly tender and juicy.
- The sauce can be easily adjusted for thickness by repeating the cornstarch slurry method if needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 36 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg