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A detailed close-up of tender chicken thighs coated in a sticky, dark amber honey garlic glaze, garnished with sesame seeds and parsley. (Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken)

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken: The Ultimate Sticky & Glossy Recipe

This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken features tender thighs in a sticky, glossy honey garlic glaze with potatoes, carrots, and green beans. An easy, unforgettable one-pot crockpot dinner that's perfect for any night of the week.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian-inspired
Calories: 580
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs approx. 900g
  • 1.5 lbs yellow baby potatoes, halved approx. 680g
  • 4 large carrots, peeled and thickly sliced sliced on the diagonal
  • 12 oz fresh green beans, trimmed approx. 340g
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil 15ml
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper or to taste
  • 1/2 cup honey 120ml
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce 120ml
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar 15ml
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil 5ml
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch 16g
  • 1 tbsp white sesame seeds for garnish
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely minced for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 6-quart slow cooker
  • 1 Large Skillet

Instructions
 

Sear the Chicken
  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and season generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken in the hot skillet and sear for 3-4 minutes per side, until a deep golden-brown crust forms.
  3. Transfer the seared chicken to the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
Mix Sauce and Cook
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and rice vinegar. Pour the sauce over the chicken.
  2. Arrange the halved potatoes and sliced carrots around the chicken. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until vegetables are tender.
Thicken Glaze and Serve
  1. Add the green beans to the slow cooker during the last 20-30 minutes of cooking.
  2. In the final 5 minutes, remove 1/2 cup of hot liquid from the slow cooker and whisk it with the cornstarch in a small bowl to create a slurry. Pour the slurry back into the slow cooker, add the toasted sesame oil, and stir gently. The sauce will thicken into a glossy glaze.
  3. Serve the chicken and vegetables drizzled with extra sauce, and garnish with white sesame seeds and fresh parsley.

Notes

Don't Skip the Sear: Searing the chicken is non-negotiable. It creates the Maillard reaction, which develops deep, savory flavors.
Dry Your Chicken: For the best sear, make sure your chicken thighs are patted completely dry. A dry surface browns, a wet surface steams.
Fresh is Best: While garlic powder can work in a pinch, fresh minced garlic provides a much more potent and authentic flavor.
Lid On: Avoid the temptation to lift the lid while cooking. Each time you do, heat escapes and significantly increases the cooking time.
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