Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Set it and Forget it

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Proper Lush

By Maya ThorneJune 27, 2025

My slow cooker chicken thighs recipe is a winner Falloffthebone honey garlic flavour dead easy to make Prep in 15 mins then let the crockpot do its thing Give it a go ... Global Fusion

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Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs: Set it and Forget it!

Fancy a super easy, flavour-packed dinner? Honestly, who doesn't? This recipe for slow cooker chicken thighs is a winner. It's proper tasty, minimal effort, and uses the magical slow cooker recipe .

I'm telling you, this could become your new favorite easy weeknight dinner .

These slow cooker chicken thighs are pure comfort food. Bone in chicken thighs slow cooker are cooked in a lush honey garlic chicken sauce.

This results in a "fall off the bone chicken". Think of this recipe as having inspirations from Chinese takeaway style but cooked in your own kitchen.

Why You'll Love These Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

What makes this recipe so brill? The health benefits are top-notch. It's a great source of protein. Plus, it's perfect for busy families.

Imagine walking through the door and smelling that Chinese chicken slow cooker aroma. It's much better than a takeaway.

What You Need for This Chicken Thigh Recipe

Let's have a gander at what you need. You'll need about 4-6 chicken thighs slow cooker . Plus, staples like honey, soy sauce, and garlic.

A dash of rice vinegar and ginger adds that zing. Find the full list of ingredients below. Then, have a scroll to the instructions! You can make slow cooker chicken thighs with rice and use that as your base.

Prep is super easy. It takes about 15 minutes. Then, let the crockpot chicken work its magic for 4- 6 hours on low.

Or, 2- 3 hours on high. This recipe makes about 4 servings. It's perfect for a family dinner or meal prep.

Ingredients & Equipment for the Best Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Right then, let's talk ingredients. Honestly, this slow cooker chicken thigh recipe is so simple that even I can't mess it up.

You know? And that says something. We're making honey garlic chicken dreams come true.

Main Ingredients for our Easy Weeknight Dinner

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this amazing crockpot chicken .

4-6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2-2.5 lbs / 900g-1.1kg ). You want those bone-in, skin-on thighs. They’re juicier and give better flavour.
1 tablespoon olive oil ( 15ml ) (Optional, for searing).
1/2 teaspoon salt ( 2.5ml ).
1/4 teaspoon black pepper ( 1.25ml ).
1/2 cup honey ( 170g / 120ml ). Get some good quality honey, you know, the stuff that actually tastes like flowers, it makes all the difference.
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce ( 60ml ).
2 tablespoons rice vinegar ( 30ml ).
4 cloves garlic, minced (approx. 2 tsp ). Fresh garlic is key!.
1 tablespoon ketchup ( 15ml ).
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger ( 5ml ).
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes ( 2.5ml ) (Optional, for heat).
1 tablespoon cornstarch ( 8g ).
2 tablespoons cold water ( 30ml ).
2 tablespoons chopped fresh green onions (scallions), for garnish (optional).
2 tablespoons sesame seeds, for garnish (optional).

We're aiming for fall off the bone chicken here, so quality is key!.

Seasoning Notes

Alright, let's talk about spices. Salt and pepper are essential, obviously. But the real magic comes from the honey, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce combo.

If you don't have rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar works a treat. For a real kick, chuck in some red pepper flakes.

That's how to make amazing Chinese chicken slow cooker style at home!.

Equipment Needed

You don’t need much for this chicken thigh recipe .

A slow cooker (at least 4-quart size). You know, the bigger the better.
A large skillet (optional, for searing).
Measuring cups and spoons.
A small bowl.
A whisk.

Seriously, if you don't have a skillet, don't sweat it. You can skip the searing bit. But honestly, searing the chicken first really does make a difference.

It gives it a lovely colour and seals in all those delicious juices. You know what I mean? Now you are ready to make this slow cooker chicken thighs with rice .

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs: Set it and Forget it!

Fancy an easy weeknight dinner that practically cooks itself? Honestly, who doesn't? These slow cooker chicken thighs are the answer.

We're talking fall off the bone chicken bathed in a sticky, sweet honey garlic glaze. It's comfort food at its finest, and so simple even I can't mess it up! I have tried many different iterations, but this chicken thigh recipe is a winner.

Prep Like a Pro

Right, first things first. Let's get our mise en place sorted. This is proper chef talk for "get everything ready before you start".

You'll need about 15 minutes to chop your garlic, measure your spices, and give the chicken a quick pat down with some paper towels.

It just helps the seasoning stick better, you know?

Step-by-Step to Crockpot Chicken Perfection

Pat 4-6 bone in chicken thighs slow cooker dry. Season with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
Optional but highly recommended : Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan. Sear the chicken skin-side down for 2- 3 minutes . This adds flavour and helps the skin crisp up later if you finish it off under the grill. Place in your crockpot chicken .
In a bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of honey, 1/4 cup of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of ketchup, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (if you like a bit of kick). This is our honey garlic chicken sauce, it is going to be amazing.
Pour this glorious sauce over the chicken. Make sure everything's coated nicely.
Cover and cook on low for 4- 6 hours , or on high for 2- 3 hours . The chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165° F ( 74° C) . You want that fall off the bone chicken consistency.
Optional thickening step : Remove chicken. Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water. Pour into the slow cooker and cook on high for 20- 30 minutes to thicken the sauce.
Return the chicken to the sauce and serve. Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds if you fancy it. I always do.

Pro Tips for Chicken Thighs Slow Cooker Success

A massive stat for you, It is believed that nearly 70% of households own a slow cooker! Don't skip the sear! It’s well worth the extra five minutes.

If you want that lovely sticky glaze, pop the slow cooker chicken thighs under the grill for a few minutes at the end. Just watch they don't burn!

Leftovers are brilliant. Shred the chicken and chuck it in some tacos or baps for lunch the next day. I have even had slow cooker chicken thighs with rice it is a winner.

Honestly, this slow cooker recipe for Chinese chicken slow cooker style slow cooker chicken thighs is such a crowd-pleaser. Give it a go and let me know what you think!

Recipe Notes for the Best Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Right, so you're ready to tackle this slow cooker chicken thighs recipe? Brilliant! Before you dive in, let's run through some helpful hints and tips.

It's not rocket science, but a few pointers can take your honey garlic chicken from good to amazing . You know? Like, restaurant-quality good.

Serving Suggestions That Will Make You Look Like a Pro

Okay, presentation matters, even if it’s just for yourself. For plating, think about that rich sauce. Piled high with rice, you can create a small well in the rice using the back of a spoon to create a small pool for the delicious juice, yum!.

This makes it look amazing. The sauce can be drizzled over the fall off the bone chicken .

As for sides, simple is best! Roasted broccoli is always a win, or some steamed green beans add a pop of colour.

A crispy green salad is a fab accompaniment. Got some mash? Spoon some mash and pour the sauce all over it.

Honestly, anything that soaks up that Chinese chicken slow cooker sauce is a good shout.

How to Store Like a Boss

Let's talk leftovers because, frankly, they're the best part!

Refrigeration: Pop any leftover crockpot chicken into an airtight container. It'll happily sit in the fridge for up to 3-4 days .
Freezing: If you're thinking long-term, freezing is your friend. Let the chicken thighs slow cooker cool completely first. Then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. It'll keep well for up to 3 months .
Reheating: For fridge leftovers, microwave is your best bet. For frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. You can reheat in the microwave or in a pan on the hob. Make sure it’s piping hot all the way through – we're talking at least 165° F ( 74° C) .

Variations for Every Diet

Fancy a change? No worries!

Lower Sodium: Use low-sodium soy sauce, easy peasy.
Spicy Chicken: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some extra red pepper flakes to the sauce. This gives your chicken thigh recipe a kick. You know?
For a slightly different flavour profile, try it with bone in chicken thighs slow cooker and a dash of chilli flakes, it will make a good dinner.

Nutrition Basics Without the Blah

Let’s keep it simple, yeah? Each serving is roughly around 450 calories. You're getting a good whack of protein – about 35g.

The honey gives you some sugar (around 18g), but hey, life's too short to skip the honey!

Remember, these are estimates. Numbers will change depending on your ingredients.

Honestly, this easy weeknight dinner is a game-changer. You can even serve this over some slow cooker chicken thighs with rice .

So get stuck in, experiment, and most importantly, enjoy! I promise, you'll be chuffed with the results.

Delicious Honey Garlic Chicken Slow Cooker Secret for FallofftheBone Texture

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen chicken thighs in my slow cooker chicken thighs recipe?

It's generally not recommended to cook frozen chicken in a slow cooker, mate. The chicken might spend too long in the "danger zone" of temperatures where bacteria can thrive. Best to thaw them properly in the fridge beforehand for food safety reasons – nobody wants a dodgy tummy!

How do I stop my slow cooker chicken thighs from drying out?

The key is to use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs – they're much more forgiving. Also, resist the urge to lift the lid too often; each peek releases heat and moisture, prolonging the cooking time and potentially drying out the chicken. You want them moist enough to enjoy with your roast potatoes.

My slow cooker honey garlic chicken thighs sauce is too thin, how can I thicken it?

No worries, thickening the sauce is a doddle! As the recipe suggests, create a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with cold water) and stir it into the sauce during the last 20-30 minutes of cooking on high heat. This will help it achieve that lovely, glossy consistency. Make sure to remove the chicken before thickening so it doesn't overcook.

What's the best way to store leftover slow cooker chicken thighs?

Let the chicken cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. It'll keep for 3-4 days. Make sure it is piping hot if reheating it. You can also freeze cooked chicken thighs for up to 2-3 months, just be sure to thaw them completely before reheating.

Can I adapt these slow cooker chicken thighs to be healthier?

Absolutely! Use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce the salt content, or you could even try using a natural sweetener like stevia instead of honey to cut down on the sugar. Also, trimming excess skin before cooking will reduce the fat content. Serve with brown rice and plenty of greens for a well-balanced meal. It's all about balance, innit?