Cozy Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
A cozy and fuss-free slow cooker recipe featuring tender, juicy chicken thighs glazed in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights and comforting dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/3 cup honey (113 grams)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (60 ml)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (30 ml)
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger (optional)
- 1/4 cup water (60 ml)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and grated ginger. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs skin-side down for 4-5 minutes until golden and crispy, then flip and sear the other side for 3 minutes.
- Place seared chicken thighs skin side up into the crockpot, arranging evenly.
- Pour the honey garlic sauce over the chicken and add water to keep the sauce saucy.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours until chicken is fall-apart tender.
- About 15 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water to make a slurry. Stir into the crockpot and cook uncovered to thicken the sauce.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Optionally, garnish with chopped green onions or toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
Searing the chicken before slow cooking adds flavor and texture. Avoid lifting the crockpot lid too often to maintain cooking temperature. Use tamari for gluten-free option and maple syrup for vegan adaptation with protein substitute. Thicken sauce at the end with cornstarch slurry for a glossy finish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Protein: 28
Keywords: honey garlic chicken, crockpot chicken thighs, slow cooker dinner, easy chicken recipe, comfort food, weeknight dinner