Looking for a simple, yet mouthwatering meal that requires minimal effort and delivers maximum flavor? Look no further! This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is the perfect solution for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. Combining the perfect balance of sweetness from honey, savory notes from soy and hoisin sauces, and a hint of heat from crushed red pepper flakes, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. The slow cooker does all the hard work, tenderizing the chicken and infusing it with rich, aromatic flavors. Serve it over rice or noodles, and enjoy a delicious, fuss-free dinner that everyone will love.
Ingredients
– Four boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
– 1/2 cup honey
– 1/2 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
– 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
– 1/4 cup ketchup
– 1/4 cup chicken broth
– 5 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 1 teaspoon dried basil
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for a bit of heat)
– 2 tablespoons cornstarch
– 2 tablespoons water
– Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs at the bottom of your slow cooker.
2. Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ketchup, chicken broth, minced garlic, chopped onion, dried basil, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes.
3. Add Sauce to Slow Cooker: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker, ensuring the chicken is well-coated.
4. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
5. Thicken the Sauce: About 30 minutes before serving, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the slow cooker to thicken the sauce. Let it cook for another 30 minutes with the lid on.
6. Serve: Once the sauce has thickened, serve the honey garlic chicken over rice or noodles. If preferred, garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Tips
– You can add vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas during the last hour of cooking if you want to make it a complete meal.
– Adjust the sweetness and saltiness by modifying the amount of honey and soy sauce to your taste.
– You may keep leftovers in the fridge for up to three days if you put them in an airtight container.
Enjoy your Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken!