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Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe

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Tender, fall-apart chicken thighs in a perfectly balanced sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, made effortlessly in the slow cooker. This set-it-and-forget-it recipe is a busy weeknight hero that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for searing)
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1 teaspoon sriracha or red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (for slurry)
  • Chopped green onions (for garnish, optional)
  • Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
  • Fresh cilantro (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
  2. Optional but recommended: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Do not cook through.
  3. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, tomato paste, rice vinegar, sriracha, and sesame oil.
  4. Place the chicken thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker in a single layer. Pour the sauce over the top, ensuring each piece is coated. Do not stir.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and shreds easily with a fork.
  6. About 20 minutes before serving, remove the chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth. Pour the slurry into the slow cooker with the sauce and stir. Turn the heat to HIGH, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens to a glossy, syrupy consistency.
  7. Return the chicken to the slow cooker and spoon the thickened sauce over the top. Let it warm through for about 5 minutes.
  8. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately over rice, noodles, or with roasted vegetables.

Notes

For best results, use chicken thighs instead of breasts to keep the meat juicy. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools. If you want extra-sticky chicken, leave it in the sauce on warm for an extra 30 minutes. Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors meld.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot honey garlic chicken, slow cooker chicken thighs, easy chicken dinner, honey garlic chicken, set it and forget it chicken, weeknight dinner, gluten-free chicken recipe

Find it online: https://emmastirs.com/easy-crockpot-honey-garlic-chicken-thighs-recipe/