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Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs: Easy Kid-Approved Dinner

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This crockpot honey garlic chicken is a family-friendly dinner that’s quick to prep and incredibly flavorful. The chicken thighs are slow-cooked in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce until tender, then finished with a glossy glaze. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 6–8 thighs)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water (for cornstarch slurry)
  • Sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
  • Chopped green onions (for garnish, optional)
  • Cooked white rice or steamed broccoli (for serving, optional)

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. Work in batches if needed. The chicken does not need to be cooked through.
  3. Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, and rice vinegar.
  4. Layer in the crockpot: Place seared chicken thighs in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour the honey garlic sauce over the top, ensuring each piece is coated.
  5. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until chicken is fork-tender.
  6. Thicken the sauce: About 20 minutes before serving, remove chicken to a plate and cover with foil. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth. Pour slurry into the crockpot with the sauce and whisk to combine. Cook on HIGH, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes, until sauce thickens to a glossy glaze. Stir occasionally.
  7. Finish and serve: Return chicken to the crockpot and coat with thickened sauce. Serve over steamed rice or with vegetables. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions if desired.

Notes

Don’t skip searing the chicken—it adds depth of flavor. Use low-sodium soy sauce to control saltiness. Thicken the sauce at the end for best results. For extra sticky sauce, let it reduce longer. Double the sauce ingredients if you want extra for rice. Chicken thighs are preferred over breasts for tenderness.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot honey garlic chicken, slow cooker chicken thighs, honey garlic chicken, easy chicken dinner, kid-friendly chicken, family dinner, chicken thighs recipe

Find it online: https://perkypan.com/crockpot-honey-garlic-chicken-thighs-easy-kid-approved-dinner/