Name: Easy Slow-Cooker Honey Garlic Beef
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 h
Total time: 8 h 15 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch pieces; 1 small onion, chopped; 1/2 cup honey; 1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce; 1/4 cup ketchup; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; Hot cooked rice, for serving; Sliced green onion and sesame seeds, for garnish

Slow-Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is more than just a meal; it’s a culinary hug in a dish that consistently wins hearts and pleases palates. Imagin extracte coming home after a long day to the irresistible aroma of tender chicken bathed in a sweet and savory glaze. That’s the magic of this recipe! What makes it so universally loved? It’s the perfect harmony of sticky, sweet honey and robust, garlicky goodness, creating a flavor profile that’s both comforting and exciting. This dish is special because it requires minimal effort for maximum reward, thanks to the magic of your slow cooker. The slow, gentle cooking process renders the chicken incredibly moist and succulent, allowing the vibrant honey garlic sauce to deeply infuse every bite. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary journey, this Slow-Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is your ticket to a deliciously effortless and impressively flavorful meal that will leave evergin extracte begging for seconds.

Ingredients:

1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Hot cooked rice, for serving
Sliced green onion and sesame seeds, for garnish

Preparation and Cooking

This Slow-Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken recipe is wonderfully simple, allowing for maximum flavor with minimal effort. The magic happens in the slow cooker, transforming humble chicken thighs into tender, succulent pieces coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory sauce. It’s the perfect meal for a busy weeknight when you want something delicious and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.

First, let’s get our flavor base ready. In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, reduced-sodium soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. This mixture forms the backbone of our delectable honey garlic sauce. The soy sauce brings a salty umami depth, the honey provides sweetness, the ketchup adds a touch of tang and body, and the rice vinegar offers a bright, acidic counterpoint to balance everything out. The sesame oil contributes a subtle nutty aroma that is characteristic of many Asian-inspired dishes.

Next, we need to incorporate the aromatics and a hint of heat. Add the tablespoon of minced garlic and the crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture. Stir everything well until thoroughly combined. The minced garlic will infuse its pungent aroma and flavor into the sauce as it cooks, while the red pepper flakes will offer a gentle warmth that can be adjusted to your preference. If you prefer a spicier kick, feel free to add a little more. If you’re sensitive to heat, you can omit them entirely.

Now it’s time to prepare the chicken. Pat your boneless, skinless chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for ensuring the chicken gets a nice sear if you choose to brown it first, but even for this slow cooker version, it helps the sauce adhere better. Season the chicken thighs generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Don’t be shy with the seasoning; it will enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish. Place the seasoned chicken thighs into the insert of your slow cooker.

Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce evenly over the chicken thighs in the slow cooker. Make sure each piece of chicken is well-coated. Once the sauce is poured, scatter the chopped small onion over and around the chicken. The onion will soften as it cooks, releasing its natural sweetness and contributing to the savory depth of the sauce.

Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The cooking time will depend on your slow cooker’s individual settings and the size of your chicken thighs. The goal is for the chicken to be fork-tender and cooked through. During this time, the flavors will meld beautifully, and the chicken will absorb all the deliciousness of the honey garlic sauce.

Once the chicken is cooked and tender, it’s time to thicken the sauce. Carefully remove the chicken thighs from the slow cooker and set them aside on a plate. In a small bowl, whisk together the 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until a smooth slurry forms. This slurry is key to achieving that glossy, slightly thickened sauce. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the liquid remaining in the slow cooker. Stir well to incorporate it into the sauce.

Turn the slow cooker to the high setting (if it wasn’t already) and cook for another 15-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon beautifully. Once thickened, return the cooked chicken thighs to the slow cooker and toss them gently to coat them in the luscious, thickened honey garlic sauce.

To serve, spoon the hot cooked rice into shallow bowls. Top generously with the Slow-Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and spoon plenty of the extra sauce over everything. For a final touch of freshness and visual appeal, garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. The vibrant green of the onions and the nutty crunch of the sesame seeds perfectly complement the rich, savory chicken and sauce. This dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Conclusion:

And there you have it! Your delicious and incredibly easy Slow-Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is ready to impress. We’ve walked through simple steps to create a tender, flavorful dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. The sweet and savory glaze, infused with the richness of honey and the punch of garlic, coats succulent chicken pieces, making every bite a delight. This recipe is a true winner for its minimal effort and maximum reward.

For serving, this chicken is wonderfully versatile. It pairs beautifully with steamed rice, fluffy quinoa, or your favorite roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus. Consider adding a sprinkle of sesame seeds and chopped green onions for an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal.

Don’t be afraid to experiment! You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a hint of heat, or a splash of soy sauce for a deeper umami flavor. Feeling adventurous? Try incorporating some sliced bell peppers and onions into the slow cooker during the last hour of cooking for a complete one-pot meal.

We encourage you to give this Slow-Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken a try. It’s a forgiving recipe that consistently delivers fantastic results, even for novice cooks. Enjoy the aroma filling your home and the satisfaction of a home-cooked meal with such little fuss!

FAQs:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for the Slow-Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are often more forgiving in a slow cooker and can yield an even more tender and moist result due to their higher fat content. You can typically substitute them 1:1 with chicken breasts. Just adjust the cooking time slightly if needed; thighs might take a little longer to become fully tender.

How can I thicken the sauce for the Slow-Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken?

If you prefer a thicker sauce, you have a couple of easy options. You can remove the chicken and vegetables from the slow cooker and whisk in a cornstarch slurry (1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with an equal amount of cold water) into the liquid remaining in the pot. Then, turn the slow cooker to high and cook for another 15-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened. Alternatively, you can simply let the sauce reduce on the stovetop after removing the chicken.