If you’re searching for a comforting meal that feels like a warm hug after a long day, you’ve just hit the jackpot with this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe. It perfectly balances smoky barbecue flavors with a touch of sweet honey and the robust punch of garlic, resulting in tender chicken thighs that practically melt in your mouth. This recipe is a lifesaver for busy days—minimal prep, incredible depth of flavor, and a hands-off slow cooker method that frees you up for whatever life throws your way. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll become your go-to for quick weeknight dinners or casual weekend feasts.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows three raw, pale pink chicken thighs with smooth skin placed on crumpled brown parchment paper at the bottom right. Above them, there is a small clear glass bowl filled with golden honey, with a wooden honey dipper resting inside. To the left of the honey, a small white bowl holds finely chopped garlic, bright yellow in color. Above the garlic, a wooden spoon contains white sesame seeds. To the right of the spoon, a small white bowl is filled with thick, dark reddish-brown hoisin sauce with a swirled texture on top. Below and slightly to the right of the hoisin sauce, a white square dish holds bright green chopped spring onions. All items rest on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe keeps things refreshingly simple, but don’t let that fool you—the ingredients work in harmony to create a rich, satisfying dish. Each one plays a key role in bringing out the perfect texture, color, and flavor, making this an effortless yet mouthwatering meal to throw together.

Barbecue sauce: About 1 ½ cups of your favorite kind, whether Sweet Baby Ray’s or Trader Joe’s, mild or spicy, this forms the smoky, tangy base sauce.
Honey: ¼ cup adds a natural sweetness that complements the tangy barbecue perfectly without overpowering it.
Minced garlic: 1 tablespoon (roughly 4-5 cloves) for a punch of savory depth that sings throughout the sauce.
Chicken thighs: 2 pounds of boneless, skinless thighs—these stay juicy and absorb the sauce beautifully; you can substitute chicken breasts if you prefer, just flatten them slightly if they are thick.
Green onions: Thinly sliced for an optional fresh, crisp garnish that brightens the dish.
Sesame seeds: Optional, but highly recommended to add a subtle nuttiness and a fun crunch on top.

How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Slow Cooker and Sauce

Start by giving your slow cooker a quick spray with cooking oil—this is totally optional, but it helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier. Then, in the pot, mix together the barbecue sauce, honey, and minced garlic until everything is well combined. This sauce is the star of the show, layering smoky, sweet, and garlicky flavors that will soak into the chicken during cooking.

Step 2: Reserve Some Sauce

Before adding the chicken, scoop out about ½ cup of the sauce and cover it tightly—this will be used later to freshness-up the chicken after it’s cooked. Keeping a portion aside ensures your final dish stays saucy and vibrant without getting watered down.

Step 3: Add and Coat the Chicken

Place your chicken thighs into the slow cooker and toss them well in the sauce so every piece is evenly coated with that glorious mix. Then arrange the chicken as flat as possible in one layer to let the heat cook it evenly and soak up all those flavors. This little step makes a big difference in texture and taste.

Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection

Pop the lid on and cook on HIGH for around 2 ½ to 3 hours, or on LOW for 5 to 6 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Keep in mind every slow cooker is a bit different, so it’s wise to check for doneness a bit early. The chicken should come out tender, juicy, and perfectly infused with that smoky honey garlic sauce.

Step 5: Optional Shredding and Saucing

If you want to serve shredded chicken, transfer the thighs to a cutting board and shred them using two forks. Toss the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker with the reserved sauce you set aside earlier, and stir well so every tender bite is coated in sticky, flavorful sauce.

Step 6: Final Touches

Garnish with sliced green onions, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat. These fresh, contrasting touches elevate the dish from good to unforgettable.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

The image shows a white plate with a base layer of cooked white rice, slightly scattered with small green onion pieces. On top of the rice are two pieces of cooked chicken glazed in a glossy reddish-brown sauce with visible sesame seeds and green onion slices. A silver fork is pulling apart one piece of chicken, revealing the light, tender inside. The plate rests on a white marbled surface, and in the background, there are blurred bowls of green peas and honey, along with garlic bulbs and green onions placed around. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Adding green onions and sesame seeds is more than just pretty decoration—the sharpness of green onions and the slight nuttiness of sesame seeds add texture and bursts of flavor that highlight the silky sauce beautifully. Don’t be shy about sprinkling both on to brighten up every bite.

Side Dishes

This chicken is so versatile it pairs wonderfully with anything from fluffy white rice or creamy mashed potatoes to roasted veggies or steamed greens. You can even wrap it up in tortillas or slider buns for a fun, casual meal. The sweet-savory sauce complements almost every side with ease.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe over a bed of cauliflower rice for a low-carb twist, or use it as a hearty filling for enchiladas or sliders. For entertaining, pile it on a platter with sides on the table for a family-style feast that invites everyone to dig in and enjoy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place any leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen after sitting, making leftovers just as delicious, if not better. Just be sure to keep it nicely sealed to prevent drying out.

Freezing

This dish freezes beautifully! Store cooled leftovers in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty zip-top bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently for the best texture.

Reheating

Warm your leftovers in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally so the sauce stays luscious and coats the chicken well. Adding a splash of water or broth can loosen the sauce if it thickened too much. Be careful not to overheat or the chicken can dry out.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Absolutely! Chicken breasts can be used, though they’re leaner and can dry out more easily. To keep them tender, pound thick breasts to an even thickness before adding to the slow cooker and keep a close eye on cooking times.

What kind of barbecue sauce works best?

Choose a barbecue sauce you genuinely enjoy since it’s the foundation of the dish’s flavor. Whether you like it smoky, sweet, spicy, or garlicky, go with what suits your taste. Avoid sauces with honey already in them if you want that distinct honey flavor to shine through.

Is it necessary to reserve some sauce before cooking?

While not mandatory, reserving some sauce before adding the raw chicken allows you to refresh the dish after cooking, giving it a brighter, saucier finish. It keeps the flavors vibrant and the chicken glossy and appetizing.

Can I add vegetables to the slow cooker?

Yes! Adding hearty vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or carrots can turn this into a full meal. Just cut them into chunks and add them before cooking. Keep in mind softer vegetables may overcook if left in for the entire cook time, so you might want to add those closer to the end.

How can I make this dish spicier?

If you like heat, sprinkle some red pepper flakes in with the sauce or add a dash of hot sauce before cooking. Garnishing with fresh chopped jalapeños or a spicy chili oil at the end also works wonders without overwhelming the delicious balance.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe truly embodies comfort food at its finest—simple to make, packed with flavor, and wonderfully satisfying every time. Whether you’re new to slow cooking or a seasoned pro, this meal promises to become a staple in your kitchen for those busy days when good food matters most. Give it a try and enjoy a dish that feels like it was made just for you.

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.2 from 41 reviews

Author: Ezabella
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Print Recipe

Description

This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a delightfully easy and flavorful dish combining smoky barbecue sauce with sweet honey and aromatic garlic. Perfect for busy days, it delivers tender, melt-in-your-mouth chicken thighs cooked low and slow, and can be served in a variety of ways such as over rice, mashed potatoes, or in sliders. A versatile and comforting meal that requires minimal prep and lots of flavor.

Ingredients

Sauce

1 ½ cups barbecue sauce (your favorite, such as Sweet Baby Ray’s, Trader Joe’s, mild, spicy, or garlicky)
¼ cup honey
1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 4–5 cloves, finely minced)

Chicken

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 8–10 thighs; boneless skinless chicken breasts may be substituted, pounded thinner if thick)

Optional Garnishes

Green onions, sliced into thin rounds
Sesame seeds
Salt and pepper (to taste)
Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare Slow Cooker: Lightly spray the insert of your 6-quart or 7-quart slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking, though this step is optional.
Make sauce mixture: In the slow cooker, combine barbecue sauce, honey, and minced garlic. Stir well to thoroughly blend the flavors.
Reserve sauce: Remove approximately ½ cup of this sauce mixture and place it in the refrigerator for later use to add extra flavor and moisture to the chicken after cooking.
Add chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the slow cooker and toss gently to coat evenly with the sauce, ensuring all sides are covered. Arrange the chicken evenly in a flat layer for even cooking.
Cook chicken: Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 2 ½ to 3 hours or on LOW for 5 to 6 hours. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Cooking times may vary based on your slow cooker model and quantity of chicken.
Optional shred: Once cooked, if desired, transfer the chicken to a cutting board and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
Toss with reserved sauce: Add the reserved ½ cup sauce back into the slow cooker and toss the chicken thoroughly to coat it with the extra sauce, ensuring it is moist and flavorful.
Garnish and serve: Optionally garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like some heat. Serve the honey garlic chicken over rice, mashed potatoes, with vegetables, or use it as a filling for enchiladas, tortillas, or sliders.

Notes

Using barbecue sauce with honey in it may reduce the distinct honey flavor in the finished dish; adding pure honey ensures a balanced sweetness.
Monitor cooking times closely as slow cooker heat output varies between models and chicken thickness.
For a lighter option, boneless skinless chicken breasts can be used but may need to be pounded thinner for even cooking.
The dish is highly versatile and can be customized with your preferred barbecue sauce intensity and additional spices.
Leftover sauce can be refrigerated and used as a condiment or marinade for other dishes.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American