Slow Cooker Honey Soy Garlic Chicken

Slow Cooker Honey Soy Garlic Chicken is one of those easy recipes that feels like a little weeknight win.  Tender chicken breasts slowly cook in a rich, savory-sweet sauce made with honey, soy sauce, fresh ginger, garlic, and just a dash of Sriracha for heat.  As the chicken simmers, the sauce transforms into a glossy, flavor-filled glaze that’s perfect for spooning over a bowl of steamed rice.  Finished with fresh green onions, sesame seeds, and veggies, this dish is simple enough for busy days, but packed with the kind of bold flavors everyone at the table will love.  

I’m always looking for recipes that are simple to make and full of flavor.  Slow cooker recipes tend to check all the boxes for me.  This easy crockpot chicken recipe is one I hope you’ll try.  Let me know what you think in the comments below!  

Ingredients for this Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe:

Chicken

1.5 pounds of skinless chicken breasts. Skinless chicken thighs can also be used; it’s up to you.  I do recommend using boneless chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs to make things easier when it’s time to shred the chicken.  

Honey

1/3 cup of honey.  

Soy Sauce

1/2 cup of soy sauce.  I prefer the low-sodium soy sauce, but regular is fine.  If you are looking for a gluten-free option, use Aminos instead; it tastes very similar to soy sauce.  

Rice Wine Vinegar

2 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar.  You can substitute apple cider vinegar if you don’t have rice vinegar.  

Sriracha Sauce

1 tablespoon of Sriracha.   Sriracha is a popular spicy chili sauce made from sun-ripened chilies, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and salt.  The heat level is generally mild, but the more you add, the hotter it gets!  Easily found in most grocery stores.  

Sesame Oil

1 tablespoon of sesame oil.  This adds a subtle flavor that I love. Substitute with olive oil if you don’t have sesame oil.  

Fresh Ginger

1 tablespoon of fresh ginger.  I recommend using a microplane grater to get the one tablespoon, but if you don’t have one, finely mince the ginger with a sharp knife.  Running your knife back and forth until it’s minced.  

Fresh Garlic

4 garlic cloves, finely minced.  You don’t want big pieces of garlic in the sauce, so be sure to cut the garlic as small as you can.  Please only use fresh garlic.

Corn Starch

2 tablespoons of corn starch.  You are going to use the corn starch at the end to thicken the sauce.   

Garnishes and Serving Ideas:

• Green onions: 2 Green onions, thinly sliced and sprinkled over the top. 
• Sesame seeds: Sprinkled over the top
• Shredded Carrots and Chopped Cilantro: Top with shredded carrots and cilantro.
• Shredded Cabbage: Can also be served over shredded cabbage.  
• Served with steamed rice and broccoli or green beans
• Make a bowl: Rice on the bottom, shredded cabbage, carrots, green onions, shredded chicken, steamed broccoli, finish with soy sauce and Sriracha.

Step-by-Step Instructions

STEP 1- Make the sauce

Start by whisking together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, Sriracha, sesame oil, minced ginger, and minced garlic in a medium bowl.  The mixture should be smooth with the honey fully incorporated into the liquid.  

STEP 2-  Add the chicken to the slow cooker

Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your crock pot or slow cooker.  Next, pour the sauce over the chicken, then gently turn the chicken a few times so it’s well coated.  This helps the flavor soak into the chicken as it cooks.

STEP 3- Let the slow cooker do the work

Cover and cook on high for about 4 hours.  As the chicken cooks, it will become tender, and the sauce will develop a rich, sweet, and savory flavor. 

STEP 4-  Shred the chicken

Once the chicken is fully cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a plate or cutting board.  Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. 

STEP 5-  Thicken the sauce

To give the sauce that delicious, glossy texture, whisk the 2 tablespoons of cornstarch directly into the liquid remaining in the slow cooker.  Cover and cook on high for another 15-30 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly.  

STEP 6-  Combine and serve

Lastly, return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and toss it in the thickened sauce so every piece is coated.  

STEP 7-  Add garnishes and serve

Serve the chicken over bowls of steamed rice with broccoli or your favorite vegetables.  Finish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, shredded carrots, and fresh cilantro for extra color and flavor.  

Leftovers

In the event that you have any leftover honey garlic chicken, store it in an airtight container and have it for lunch the next day.  

After a long day, it’s always nice to have an easy recipe you can count on, and this Slow Cooker Honey Soy Garlic Chicken is exactly that.  With pantry staples and a few minutes of prep time, the slow cooker does all the work while the breast meat becomes perfectly cooked in that irresistible sauce.  The shredded chicken and delicious sticky sauce are packed with great flavor, making it the perfect weeknight dinner to serve with rice and vegetables.  It’s simple, comforting, and one of those meals the whole family will happily gather around the table for.  

More Recipes To Try!

Slow-Cooker Carnitas Recipe

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos

Easiest Slow-Cooker Barbecue Chicken Sandwich