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Easy Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs (Best 4-Ingredient Recipe)

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This easy slow cooker honey garlic chicken thighs recipe uses only 4 ingredients and delivers incredibly tender, juicy chicken with a sweet, savory, and garlicky glaze. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a set-it-and-forget-it meal that tastes like you’ve been cooking all day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (about 900g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • ½ cup (170g) honey
  • ½ cup (120ml) low-sodium soy sauce
  • 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon (8g) cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
  • 2 tablespoons water (for cornstarch slurry, optional)
  • Sesame seeds and green onions for garnish (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the sauce: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together ½ cup honey, ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce, and 4-5 minced garlic cloves until smooth. If honey is too thick, microwave for 10-15 seconds.
  2. Layer the chicken: Place 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker in a single layer if possible.
  3. Pour the sauce over the chicken: Pour the honey garlic mixture evenly over the chicken. Gently turn the chicken to coat.
  4. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 1.5-2 hours, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and shreds easily.
  5. Thicken the sauce (optional): About 20 minutes before serving, remove chicken and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water. Pour into slow cooker, stir, and cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes until thickened.
  6. Return chicken to sauce: Once sauce has thickened, return chicken to slow cooker and toss to coat. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  7. Serve: Serve over rice, noodles, or your favorite side. Spoon extra sauce on top and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if desired.

Notes

For best results, use low-sodium soy sauce to control saltiness. Pat chicken dry before adding to prevent watery sauce. Don’t lift the lid unnecessarily during cooking. The cornstarch slurry is highly recommended for a glossy, thick sauce. Leftovers taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker honey garlic chicken, easy chicken thighs, 4-ingredient recipe, honey garlic chicken, set it and forget it, slow cooker chicken

Find it online: https://rowanrecipes.com/easy-slow-cooker-honey-garlic-chicken-thighs-best-4-ingredient-recipe/