Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs are sweet, savory, and perfectly tender. Cooked in the slow cooker, they require minimal prep time for a no-fuss main course perfect for weeknight dinner!

this recipe

The Best Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Chicken is one of the most frequently cooked sources of protein in my house. It’s just so versatile and easy to make! While I love sheet pan, stovetop, and even air fryer options, I also love a good slow cooker recipe!

These garlic honey chicken thighs are one of my go-to recipes when I need something that will satisfy a hungry crowd. A no-fuss dish, all I have to do is whisk the sauce together and let the slow cooker do all the hard work.

Plus, covered and cooked for several hours, the chicken thighs turn out tender, juicy, and flavorful every single time. It’s virtually failproof!

Reader Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes

Ingredients

Chicken Thighs: we’re using boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe, and you’ll need 3 pounds of them.

Coconut Aminos: a common soy-free soy sauce replacement, coconut aminos taste very similar to soy sauce but are slightly sweeter. You can find coconut aminos in the Asian section of your local grocery store, usually near the soy sauce.

Low Sugar Ketchup: this helps form the base of the sauce, creating a sweet, slightly acidic taste. Feel free to use whatever ketchup you like best.

Honey: this helps to balance out the heat of the Sriracha and creates a sweet and sticky glaze that coats the chicken. Don’t have any honey on hand? Feel free to use maple syrup instead!

Siracha: this chili sauce adds just the right amount of heat and chili flavor.

Sesame Oil: this gives the sauce a slightly nutty, Asian-inspired flavor. A little goes a long way!

Rice Vinegar: helps to add a little tang and cut through the sweetness of the sauce, creating a well-balanced blend of sweet and savory flavors.

Lime Juice: fresh lime juice adds such brightness to the sauce!

Garlic and Ginger: these add the perfect flavor to the sauce. Freshly grated is best!

Arrowroot Starch and Water: whisked together, these create a slurry to thicken the sauce.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

Slow Cooker
Mixing Bowls
Whisk
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons

How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs in the Slow Cooker

Step One: Add the chicken thighs to your slow cooker, and season with salt and pepper.

Step Two: Whisk the coconut aminos, ketchup, Sriracha, sesame oil, vinegar, garlic, and ginger in a bowl until well combined.

Step Three: Pour the sauce over the chicken. Then, cover, and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through. Flip the thighs halfway through!

Step Four: Remove the chicken thighs from the sauce in the slow cooker. Then, whisk the arrowroot starch and water in a separate bowl until smooth. Pour the slurry mixture into the slow cooker with the sauce. Stir to combine.

Step Five: Cover the slow cooker again, and cook the sauce on high for 25 to 30 minutes or until it thickens. Next, add the chicken thighs back to the slow cooker, coat them in the sauce, and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes or until the chicken is heated through.

Step Six: Transfer the chicken and sauce to a serving dish, garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onion if desired. Serve warm!

Can I Use Chicken Breast Instead of Thighs?

Yes! While I love the juiciness of chicken thighs, chicken breast can be used instead, if you prefer. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of the chicken breast. You will know chicken breasts are done when they’re no longer pink and their internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

Side Dish Suggestions

How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat

Store: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Let the honey garlic chicken thighs cool completely. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or sealable bag, and keep them frozen for up to 3 months.

Reheat: Thaw frozen chicken thighs in the refrigerator overnight. Then, warm them in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes, or heat them in the microwave.

More Delicious Chicken Recipes

I hope you give these Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs a try! They are so easy to make and delicious! If you do give this recipe a try, let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @allthehealthythings on INSTAGRAM. Your reviews and ratings help support All the Healthy Things and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you trust and love.