If you’re looking for a simple and satisfying dinner that practically makes itself, this slow cooker honey garlic chicken recipe is it! It’s the perfect dump-and-go recipe for busy weeknights, and it delivers that sweet and savory garlic flavor with barely any effort. Just toss everything into the slow cooker, and a warm, flavorful meal is ready when you are.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
This recipe is one of those no-fuss meals that always hits the spot. Just toss everything into the slow cooker and go about your day. By dinnertime, your kitchen smells amazing, and dinner is ready to serve over rice or noodles. It’s family-approved, freezer-friendly, and packed with veggies too.
If you love this recipe, you might also enjoy these other easy recipes from the blog:
Honey Chicken Stir Fry, Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Butter Chicken, Slow Cooker Korean Beef, and Easy Chicken Fried Rice.
What You’ll Need for Honey Garlic Chicken in the Slow Cooker
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this slow cooker honey garlic chicken recipe:
I love using my GreenPan Slow Cooker for this—it cooks evenly, cleans up easily, and looks beautiful on the counter too!
- Chicken breast: Boneless, skinless, and cut into 1-inch cubes
- Soy sauce: Adds that deep savory flavor
- Garlic: Freshly minced for lots of garlicky goodness
- Ginger: Grated fresh ginger adds a warm, zingy note
- Honey: The star of the show for a sweet, rich sauce
- Bell peppers: Slice up any color you like
- Green peas: I use a 10 oz frozen bag—no need to thaw
- Onion: Adds a touch of sweetness and depth
- Sesame seeds & green onions: For a little crunch and fresh flavor
- Optional sriracha: Add a squeeze if you like it spicy
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken with Honey
This honey garlic slow cooker chicken recipe couldn’t be easier:
- Mix the sauce: In your slow cooker, stir together the soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and honey.
- Add the rest: Toss in the chicken, bell peppers, peas, and onion. Give it a quick mix to coat everything in that sweet and savory sauce.
- Let it cook: Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 6 hours, depending on your schedule.
- Serve and garnish: Spoon the chicken and veggies over rice or noodles. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Done!
Pro Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
- Use fresh garlic and ginger for the best flavor. Powdered just isn’t the same.
- If using chicken breasts, cooking on low helps prevent them from drying out.
- Check that the chicken is fully cooked—aim for an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Prefer a thicker sauce? About 30 minutes before it’s done, stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water).
- This meal freezes well. Cool completely and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
Variations You’ll Love
- Dark meat option: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for even more flavor.
- Add some heat: Mix in sriracha or red pepper flakes for a spicier dish.
- Low-carb version: Skip the rice and serve over cauliflower rice or spiralized veggies.
- Tropical twist: Add pineapple chunks for a hint of sweetness and acidity.
- Make-ahead: Add all ingredients to a freezer bag and freeze. Just dump and cook when ready.
FAQs About Honey Garlic Chicken in the Slow Cooker
It’s safer to thaw chicken before adding it to the slow cooker to avoid it sitting too long at unsafe temps.
It can be! Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of regular soy sauce.
Yes, just be mindful of timing. Root veggies can go in at the beginning; more delicate veggies (like snap peas or broccoli) should be added in the last hour.
Jasmine rice, brown rice, lo mein noodles, or cauliflower rice all work well. It’s also great with steamed broccoli or a crunchy cucumber salad.
Absolutely! Just make sure your slow cooker can handle the volume. You may need to add a bit of cook time.
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken breast: cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 10 oz bag green peas
- 2 bell peppers: sliced
- 1 medium onion: sliced
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 5 garlic cloves: minced
- 3 tsp fresh ginger: grated
- 3 Tbsp honey
- 2 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 –3 green onions: sliced
- Optional: sriracha to taste
To serve:
- Cooked rice or noodles
- Extra sesame seeds & green onions for garnish
Instructions
- In a slow cooker, mix together soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and honey.
- Add chicken, peas, bell peppers, and onion. Stir to coat everything evenly.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 6 hours.
- Serve over rice or noodles. Garnish with extra sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes
- You can easily double the recipe to feed a crowd or for meal prep.
- Add more sriracha or red pepper flakes if you prefer extra heat.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day!
- Use tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free version.
- Freeze leftovers or uncooked ingredients in a freezer bag for easy prep.
This slow cooker honey garlic chicken recipe is one of my favorite weeknight meals. It’s easy, hands-off, and always gets a thumbs-up from the family. I love knowing dinner is cooking away while I check off the rest of my to-do list.
Tried this recipe? Leave a comment below and rate it!
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