Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken

This Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken is one of those recipes that delivers big, restaurant-quality flavor with almost zero effort. Juicy chicken thighs slow cook all day in a rich sauce made from honey, soy sauce, ketchup, and garlic, and by the time they are done the sauce has thickened into something sticky, glossy, and completely irresistible. Served over rice with a side of broccoli and a drizzle of yum yum sauce, this is a weeknight dinner that the whole family will ask for again and again.

What makes this recipe so special is that combination of sweet and savory in every bite. The honey adds warmth and natural sweetness, the soy sauce brings that deep, salty, umami backbone, and the ketchup adds just enough tang to tie everything together into a sauce that is perfectly balanced and incredibly addictive. The garlic mellows and sweetens as it cooks low and slow and infuses the chicken all the way through, so every bite is packed with flavor.

I love this recipe for busy weeknights because all you have to do is add everything to the slow cooker in the morning and walk away. By dinner time the chicken is fall-apart tender, the sauce is thick and glossy, and all you have to do is make some rice. It is one of those effortless meals that tastes like you put in way more work than you actually did.

Jump to Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

That Perfect Sweet and Savory Sauce: Honey, soy sauce, ketchup, and garlic come together into a sauce that is rich, slightly sticky, and so deeply flavorful you will want to spoon it over everything on the plate.
Incredibly Tender Chicken: Boneless chicken thighs are the perfect cut for slow cooking. They come out unbelievably tender and juicy after four hours in that sauce, soaking up every bit of flavor as they cook.
Only 10 Minutes of Prep: Add everything to the slow cooker, mix it together, and walk away. It truly does not get easier than this.
The Yum Yum Sauce Finish: That optional drizzle of yum yum sauce on top at the end is a total game changer. It adds a cool, creamy contrast to the warm, sticky honey garlic sauce that makes every bite even better.
Kid Friendly: The sweet, savory, slightly sticky flavor of this chicken is universally loved. This is one of those meals that kids and adults both get genuinely excited about.
A Complete Meal in One: Serve it over rice with broccoli and spoon the extra sauce from the slow cooker over everything. Dinner is done with almost no additional effort.
Great for Meal Prep: The chicken and sauce keep beautifully in the refrigerator and reheat perfectly, making this an excellent option for prepping ahead and having meals ready throughout the week.
Only 7 Ingredients: Honey, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, oregano, sesame seeds, and chicken. Simple pantry ingredients that turn into something seriously impressive.

Ingredients You Need

Full ingredients and amounts are in the recipe card below. Read through this section for notes on each ingredient and substitution ideas.

- Boneless Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs are the ideal cut for this recipe and for slow cooking in general. They have a slightly higher fat content than chicken breasts which means they stay incredibly moist and tender even after hours of cooking. The fat also helps them absorb and carry the flavors of the sauce beautifully. Six to eight thighs gives you plenty to serve a family with leftovers.
- Honey: The star sweetener that gives this sauce its signature sticky, glossy finish. Honey adds natural sweetness and a floral depth that sugar simply cannot replicate. It also helps the sauce caramelize slightly as it cooks, which is what gives it that gorgeous, coats-the-back-of-a-spoon consistency.
- Soy Sauce: The savory, salty backbone of the sauce. Soy sauce adds that deep umami flavor that balances the sweetness of the honey and brings the whole sauce together. Regular or low sodium both work. If you use regular soy sauce you likely will not need to add any extra salt.
- Ketchup: This is the ingredient that might surprise you but it is absolutely essential. Ketchup adds a tomato-based tang and subtle sweetness that rounds out the honey and soy sauce perfectly. It also contributes to the thick, glossy texture of the sauce. Do not skip it.
- Minced Garlic: Two tablespoons of garlic sounds like a lot but it mellows beautifully over the slow cook time and infuses the entire sauce with that warm, savory garlic flavor. Fresh minced garlic gives you the best result but jarred works great too.
- Oregano: Adds a subtle herby note that gives the sauce a little more complexity and depth. It is a small amount but it makes the sauce taste more layered and well-rounded rather than one-dimensional.
- Sesame Seeds: Added to the sauce during cooking and again on top before serving. Sesame seeds add a light, nutty flavor and a delicate crunch that pairs really well with the sticky honey garlic sauce. They also make the dish look beautiful when sprinkled on top.
- Yum Yum Sauce (Optional): This is the finishing touch that takes the dish to another level. A drizzle of yum yum sauce on top right before serving adds a cool, creamy, slightly tangy contrast to the warm, sticky chicken that is absolutely incredible. Find it in the Asian foods section of most grocery stores.

1 tablespoon of yum yum sauce
rice
broccoli

Tips For Making The Best Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken

Use Chicken Thighs, Not Breasts: Chicken thighs are specifically called for in this recipe and for good reason. They stay juicy and tender throughout the long cook time. Chicken breasts can dry out over four hours of high heat, whereas thighs only get better the longer they cook.
Mix the Sauce Ingredients Before Adding the Chicken: While the recipe adds everything at once and mixes it together, taking a few extra seconds to stir the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, and oregano together before adding the chicken ensures the sauce is fully combined and evenly coats every piece from the start.
Make Sure All the Chicken is Coated in the Sauce: After mixing everything together in the slow cooker, use a spoon or tongs to flip the chicken and make sure every piece has sauce covering it on all sides. This ensures even flavor throughout.
Do Not Add Extra Liquid: The sauce ingredients provide all the moisture the chicken needs. Adding water or broth will thin the sauce too much and dilute the flavor.
Do Not Lift the Lid While Cooking: The sauce reduces and thickens as the chicken cooks. Every time you open the lid you let out heat and steam, which slows down that process and extends the cook time.
Spoon the Sauce Over the Chicken Before Serving: The sauce that pools at the bottom of the slow cooker is liquid gold. Spoon it generously over the chicken, rice, and broccoli when plating. That sauce is what makes the whole meal come together.
Make the Sauce Thicker If You Want: If you prefer a thicker, more glaze-like consistency, remove the chicken after cooking and whisk a small cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water) into the sauce in the slow cooker. Turn it to high and let it cook uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes until it thickens to your liking, then pour it over the chicken.
Add the Sesame Seeds Again Before Serving: A fresh sprinkle of sesame seeds right before you plate everything adds a visual finish and a little extra nutty crunch that is worth the extra two seconds.
Do Not Skip the Yum Yum Sauce: If you have never drizzled yum yum sauce over honey garlic chicken before, you are in for a treat. The cool, creamy sauce is a perfect complement to the warm, sticky, savory chicken and brings the whole dish together in the best possible way.
Serve Over White Rice: The sticky honey garlic sauce is made to be spooned over rice. The rice soaks up all that incredible sauce and turns a simple side into the best part of the plate. Jasmine rice or white rice both work perfectly.

How to Store Leftovers

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Store the chicken and sauce together so the chicken stays moist. The sauce may thicken slightly as it cools but loosens right back up when reheated.
Freezer: This recipe freezes really well. Let the chicken and sauce cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. The sauce holds up great after freezing and thawing.
To Reheat from the Fridge: Warm in the microwave in 60 second intervals, stirring the sauce between each one. You can also reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat with a small splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if needed.
To Reheat from the Freezer: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat as above. The sauce may need a small splash of water stirred in to bring it back to the right consistency.
Meal Prep Tip: This chicken is one of the best meal prep recipes out there. Cook a big batch, portion the chicken and sauce into individual containers with rice, and you have ready-made lunches or dinners for the entire week that reheat in just a couple of minutes.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs? Yes, chicken breasts will work but chicken thighs give you a noticeably more tender and juicy result. If you use breasts, check them at the 3 hour mark since they cook a little faster and can dry out if left too long on high.

Do I need to cook the chicken first? No. The raw chicken goes directly into the slow cooker with the sauce ingredients and cooks through perfectly over four hours. No browning or pre-cooking required.

Can I make the sauce thicker? Yes. After the chicken is done cooking, remove it from the slow cooker and whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water. Stir this into the sauce in the slow cooker, turn it to high, and let it cook uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes until it thickens into a glaze. Then pour it over the chicken before serving.

Is this recipe spicy? No, this recipe is not spicy at all as written. The flavor is sweet, savory, and garlicky. If you want to add some heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha added to the sauce at the beginning is a great way to add a little kick.

What is yum yum sauce? Yum yum sauce is a creamy, slightly tangy sauce that is popular at Japanese steakhouses. It is typically made from mayonnaise, ketchup, and various seasonings and has a mild, savory, slightly sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with this honey garlic chicken. It is widely available in the Asian foods section of most grocery stores.

Can I cook this on low instead of high? Yes. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours for an equally tender result. This is a great option if you want to start it first thing in the morning and have it ready by dinner time.

What should I serve this with? White rice is the classic pairing and makes the most of that incredible sauce. Steamed or roasted broccoli on the side rounds out the meal perfectly. A drizzle of yum yum sauce on top right before serving is the finishing touch that brings the whole dish together.

Can I double the recipe? Yes, this recipe doubles well in a large 6 to 7 quart slow cooker. Double all the ingredients and keep the cook time the same. The sauce may take a little longer to reduce slightly with more liquid in the pot, but the result will be just as delicious.

Can I add vegetables directly to the slow cooker? Yes. Broccoli florets, bell peppers, or snap peas can be added in the last 30 to 45 minutes of cooking so they stay tender but do not get overly soft. They will soak up that honey garlic sauce and be absolutely delicious.

About me

Hi! I’m Mercedes and I am the creator of “Life with Mercedes,” a food, recipe and lifestyle blog. I’m a huge foodie, proud mom and wife! I’m based in NY and grew up in an Italian/Hispanic family. Let’s just say I ate a lot of pasta and pizza growing up, so I love sharing Italian recipes!

follow me

Crock Pot

Dump and Bake

Crockpot Cookbook

Get your digital copy of my e-book which contains 70 easy crockpot recipes that the whole family will love!

Shop Now

Recommended other similar recipes