Description
This Slow Cooker Sweet & Sticky Chicken is a delicious, easy-to-make dish featuring tender chicken cooked in a rich, flavorful sauce made with honey, garlic, and soy sauce. Perfect for busy nights, meal prepping, or a homemade takeout alternative.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup onion (chopped)
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup apple juice
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (for thickening)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken (Optional): Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly brown the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side, then transfer to the slow cooker.
- Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, apple juice, ketchup, vinegar, garlic, onion, red pepper flakes, ginger, and black pepper.
- Slow Cook: Pour the sauce over the chicken, cover, and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours until tender.
- Thicken the Sauce: In the last 30 minutes of cooking, mix cornstarch with water and stir it into the slow cooker. Let it simmer until the sauce thickens.
- Serve & Enjoy: Serve over steamed rice or noodles, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
Notes
- Use chicken breasts instead of thighs for a leaner option.
- Adjust red pepper flakes for more or less heat.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired