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Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs (Best 5-Ingredient Recipe)

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This easy crockpot honey garlic chicken thighs recipe is proof that you don’t need a dozen ingredients or hours of active cooking to create something truly delicious. The combination of sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and aromatic garlic and ginger transforms simple chicken thighs into a sticky, glossy, fall-apart tender meal that tastes like you fussed—even though you barely did.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 6–8 thighs)
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
  • 2 tablespoons water (for cornstarch slurry, optional)
  • Sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Trim excess fat, season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, low-sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, and grated ginger until well combined.
  3. Place chicken thighs in the slow cooker in a single layer. Pour sauce evenly over the top.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until chicken is fork-tender.
  5. Optional: Transfer cooked chicken to a plate. Pour cooking liquid into a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Whisk together cornstarch and cold water to make a slurry, then whisk into the simmering sauce. Cook 2-3 minutes until thickened.
  6. Return chicken to the slow cooker or pour thickened sauce over it. Toss gently to coat.
  7. Serve immediately over rice, quinoa, or steamed vegetables. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired.

Notes

For a thicker sauce without stovetop step, remove lid during last 30 minutes of cooking. This recipe tastes even better the next day. For a spicy version, add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes. For an orange version, replace 2 tablespoons honey with orange juice and add 1 tablespoon orange zest.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot honey garlic chicken, slow cooker chicken thighs, 5-ingredient recipe, easy chicken dinner, sticky chicken, honey soy chicken

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