Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken: A Hearty Meal with Minimal Effort
Welcome to my latest blog post where we dive into the comforting world of slow-cooked dishes with a recipe that’s perfect for any day of the week: Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken. This dish combines the sweet, savory flavors of honey and garlic with tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken thighs. It’s a fuss-free meal that allows you to enjoy deep, developed flavors with minimal kitchen time.
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 6 large chicken thighs, skinless and bone-in
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
Rub:
- 1 teaspoon paprika (mild or smoked)
- ½ teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- ¼ teaspoon cracked pepper
Honey Garlic Butter Sauce:
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped or minced
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1 pinch salt
- ½ teaspoon cracked pepper
Additional:
- ¼ cup water or chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Nutritional Information:
- Servings: 6
- Calories per Serving: 495
Preparation:
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 5-6 hours
Total Time: About 5 hours and 20 minutes
Directions:
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Combine ½ tablespoon of olive oil with the rub ingredients. Massage this mixture thoroughly into each thigh for full flavor coverage.
- Optional Sear:
- Heat the remaining oil in a large pan over medium heat. Sear the chicken for about 2 minutes on each side until golden brown, enhancing the flavor.
- Slow Cook:
- Transfer the seared chicken to a 6-qt slow cooker. In the same pan, melt the butter, scraping up any browned bits. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant. Stir in the remaining sauce ingredients, bring to a simmer for a minute, then remove from heat. Pour this flavorful sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker, ensuring even coating. Cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 5-6 hours, basting halfway through.
- Final Touches:
- Move the chicken to a serving dish and cover loosely with foil to rest. Pour the cooking juices into a pot, bring to a simmer. Mix water or broth with cornstarch to create a slurry, whisk into the sauce, and simmer until it reaches a syrup-like consistency. For a thicker sauce, thicken further with more cornstarch if desired.
- For a final touch, broil the chicken on a lined baking sheet, basting with the sauce, for 1-2 minutes each side to char the edges slightly.
- Serve:
- Slice the chicken and drizzle generously with the thickened sauce. Serve hot.
Conclusion:
This Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken not only fills the house with a tantalizing aroma but also provides a hearty meal with little active cooking time. It’s perfect for those busy days when you want a delicious dinner waiting for you at home. Pair this dish with a side of rice or vegetables, and you have a complete, satisfying meal. Enjoy the depth of flavor that only slow cooking can provide!
Happy cooking, and I hope this dish brings warmth and satisfaction to your dinner table!
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Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken
- Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
The Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken combines the rich flavors of honey and garlic with the succulence of slow-cooked chicken thighs to create a mouth-watering dish that is both easy to prepare and delightful to eat. The caramelized edges achieved by the brief broiling add a perfect touch of crispiness that complements the tender, flavorful meat.
Ideal for busy weeknights or leisurely weekends, this recipe not only fills the kitchen with an irresistible aroma but also offers a comforting, hearty meal that the whole family can enjoy. It’s a simple yet satisfying way to make dinner special without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Chicken:
6 large chicken thighs, skinless and bone-in
1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
Rub:
1 teaspoon paprika (mild or smoked)
½ teaspoon brown sugar
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1 teaspoon coarse salt
¼ teaspoon cracked pepper
Honey Garlic Butter Sauce:
½ cup honey
½ cup unsalted butter
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped or minced
2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 pinch salt
½ teaspoon cracked pepper
Additional:
¼ cup water or chicken broth
2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
Pat dry the chicken thighs with a paper towel. Combine ½ tablespoon of olive oil with the rub ingredients. Season the chicken, ensuring the mixture is well rubbed into each thigh.
Optional Sear: Heat the remaining oil in a large pan or skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken for 2 minutes on each side to enhance flavor.
Transfer the seared chicken to a 6-qt slow cooker bowl.
Melt butter in the same pan, scraping up any browned bits. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in remaining sauce ingredients and bring to a simmer for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
Pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker, ensuring each thigh is evenly coated. Cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 5-6 hours, basting halfway through.
Transfer chicken to a serving dish and tent with foil. Let rest for 5 minutes.
Pour the juices from the slow cooker into a pot and bring to a simmer. Combine water or broth with cornstarch to make a slurry and whisk into the sauce. Simmer until thickened to a syrup-like consistency.
For a thicker sauce, repeat thickening with additional cornstarch if desired.
Broil the chicken on a lined baking sheet, basting with sauce, for 1-2 minutes each side to char the edges. Serve sliced and drizzled with the thickened sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5-6 hours
Nutrition
- Calories: 495 Kcal