Is there anything better than walking into your kitchen and smelling dinner already done?

If you're anything like I was a few years ago—exhausted, juggling kids, work, and that constant “what’s for dinner?” stress—this recipe is for you. I used to dread that 5 PM scramble. But now? I let my slow cooker do the heavy lifting.

These Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs are one of my go-to weeknight dinners. They’re tender, full of rich sweet-and-savory flavor, and ridiculously easy to throw together in the morning. The sauce is the real hero here—sticky, garlicky, and just the right amount of sweet without being too much.

It’s the kind of meal that makes your family ask, “Can you make this again?”

Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 6-8 thighs)

• 1/2 cup honey

• 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or coconut aminos for a clean version)

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or 1/2 tsp ground ginger)

• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water (for thickening)

• Chopped green onions + sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Prep the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.

2. Add to slow cooker: Place the chicken thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the top, making sure the chicken is well coated.

3. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.

4. Thicken the sauce: About 20 minutes before serving, whisk the cornstarch and water together, then stir into the sauce. Let it cook uncovered until thickened.

5. Serve: Spoon the sauce over the chicken and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve over rice, cauliflower rice, or steamed broccoli.

Sarah’s Cooking Tips

• Use frozen chicken thighs? You can—just add 30 minutes to the cooking time.

• Need it spicier? Add a dash of sriracha or more red pepper flakes.

• Make it a meal: I love serving this with jasmine rice and roasted green beans. The sauce is so good you’ll want to drizzle it on everything.

• Double it: This freezes beautifully! I always double the batch and save half for later.

Flavorful Conclusion

There’s something incredibly satisfying about finding a recipe that checks all the boxes—simple, full of flavor, and makes you feel like you’ve got it all together at dinner time. These Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs are exactly that. Once you try them, they’ll earn a permanent spot in your weeknight rotation.

Nutrition (per serving — serves 6):

Calories: 285
Protein: 28g
Carbs: 18g
Fat: 12g
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 14g