Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs: 4-Ingredient Meal
This Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs recipe is a set-it-and-forget-it meal with only 4 main ingredients. The honey and soy sauce create a sticky, glossy glaze, and the garlic adds a deep savory punch without bitterness, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (6–8 thighs)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 2 tablespoons water (for cornstarch slurry)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 2–3 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup honey, 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce, and 6 minced garlic cloves until smooth.
- Place 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs in the bottom of a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker in a single layer.
- Pour the honey garlic mixture evenly over the chicken thighs, ensuring each piece is coated.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, until the chicken is fork-tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Optional: Use tongs to remove the chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
- To thicken the sauce, whisk together 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl to make a slurry. Turn the slow cooker to HIGH, pour in the slurry, and stir constantly. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes until the sauce thickens to a glossy, syrupy consistency.
- Return the chicken to the slow cooker and stir gently to coat each piece with the thickened sauce. Let sit for 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving.
Notes
Add garlic halfway through cooking if your slow cooker runs hot to prevent bitterness. For a gluten-free version, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. For a spicy version, add 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes or sriracha. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 c
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Protein: 28
Keywords: crockpot honey garlic chicken, slow cooker chicken thighs, 4-ingredient meal, easy weeknight dinner, honey garlic chicken, dump and go dinner