The Secret to Effortless & Delicious Weeknight Dinners
Life gets busy, doesn’t it? After a long day, you probably don’t want to spend an hour cooking. But imagine a delicious, flavorful meal that practically cooks itself? Imagine coming home to the amazing smell of dinner, ready and waiting. Today, we’re talking about a recipe that does just that: our amazing Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice. Get ready to enjoy your evenings and great food!
Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice
This recipe is simple and tasty. It’s perfect for busy people.
- Easy to Make: Do a few steps in the morning. Dinner cooks itself. Great for busy weeknights!
- Really Delicious: The chicken is sweet, savory, and super soft. It’s in a rich, sticky honey garlic sauce. Your whole family will love it.
- Almost One-Pot: The chicken and sauce cook well in your slow cooker. This means less cleaning. You usually cook the rice separately.
- Cheap to Make: It uses common, cheap ingredients you likely have.
- You Can Change It: You can easily change it for your family’s tastes and needs.
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice (Slow Cooker)
Making this dish is simple. You just follow a few steps to mix the chicken and sauce. Then, your slow cooker does the rest. It’s a great way to have a flavorful meal with little effort.
Ingredients of : Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice (Slow Cooker)
You need these things to make this dish.
- Chicken:
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (thighs are better for slow cooking because they stay soft)
- The Honey Garlic Sauce:
- Soy sauce (use low sodium if you can)
- Honey
- Garlic, minced (fresh garlic is best!)
- Rice vinegar
- Brown sugar (light or dark)
- Ginger, grated (fresh or ground)
- Sesame oil (adds a nutty taste)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- To Make it Thicker:
- Cornstarch + water (to make a mix)
- For Serving:
- Cooked white or brown rice
- Green onions, sliced (for topping)
- Sesame seeds (for topping)
Directions of : Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice (Slow Cooker)
Follow these steps to make your chicken.
Preparing the Chicken
- Get the Chicken Ready: Pat your chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This helps the sauce stick better.
- Sear (Optional): You can quickly cook the chicken thighs in a hot pan with a little oil first. This gives them more flavor and a slightly browned outside. This step is optional but good if you have time.
Making the Honey Garlic Sauce
- Mix It: In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, rice vinegar, brown sugar, grated ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if you use them). Mix until everything is together.
Slow Cooking to Perfection
- Put in Slow Cooker: Place the chicken in the slow cooker. Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the chicken.
- Cook It: Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. Cook until the chicken is soft and fully cooked. Cooking time might change a little based on your slow cooker and chicken size.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional but Good): When the chicken is cooked, take it out of the slow cooker. Shred or cut it how you like. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Stir this mix into the sauce left in the slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for another 15-20 minutes, stirring sometimes. Do this until the sauce is as thick as you want.
- Add Chicken Back: Put the shredded or cut chicken back into the thickened sauce. Mix to coat.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice (Slow Cooker)
Serve this chicken over rice. Add some toppings.
- Serve with Rice: Put a lot of your cooked Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice over fresh white or brown rice.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. This makes it look nice and adds flavor.
How to Store Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice (Slow Cooker)
You can keep leftovers for a few days.
- Leftovers will last 3-4 days in the fridge. Put them in a container with a lid. It reheats well in the microwave or on the stove.
Tips to Make Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice (Slow Cooker)
Use these tips for the best results.
- Position Chicken: Try to place the chicken in one layer at the bottom of the slow cooker for even cooking.
- Don’t Overload: Do not fill your slow cooker more than two-thirds full.
- Change Sweetness/Heat: You can change the amount of honey, brown sugar, or red pepper flakes to fit your taste.
- Fresh Garlic & Ginger: Fresh garlic and ginger greatly improve the flavor. Powdered works but fresh is much better.
- Check If Cooked: Chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) inside.
Variation
You can change this recipe in different ways.
- Add Vegetables: Add steamed broccoli, snap peas, or roasted carrots as a healthy side. You can also put bell pepper strips or broccoli florets into the slow cooker during the last hour of cooking for a full meal.
- Use Noodles: Serve this chicken over egg noodles or ramen for a different meal.
- Lettuce Wraps: Shred the chicken and serve it in crisp lettuce cups for a lighter meal.
- Spicier Kick: Add more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce for an extra spicy dish.
- Pineapple Addition: For a tropical taste, add some canned pineapple chunks (drained) to the slow cooker during the last hour of cooking.
FAQs
Here are some common questions about this recipe.
Q1: Can I use frozen chicken for Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice?
A: You should thaw chicken completely before putting it in the slow cooker. This helps it cook evenly and is safer. Cooking frozen chicken can make it cook unevenly and take much longer.
Q2: How long does cooked Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice last in the fridge?
A: You can keep leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 days. It tastes great when reheated. You can use a microwave or stovetop.
Q3: Can I prepare the sauce for Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can mix all the sauce ingredients and store them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. This makes your morning prep much quicker.
Savory Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice
This effortless slow cooker recipe delivers succulent chicken bathed in a rich honey garlic sauce, perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal when served over fluffy white rice.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Whisk
- Medium Bowl
- Small Bowl
- Pan (optional)
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
The Honey Garlic Sauce
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
To Make it Thicker
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp cold water
For Serving
- 3 cups cooked white rice
- 2 green onions sliced
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels; optionally, sear them in a hot pan with a little oil for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, rice vinegar, brown sugar, grated ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
Cooking
- Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker and pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over them.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through (165°F/74°C).
Thickening & Serving
- Remove the cooked chicken, shred or cut it into pieces; in a small bowl, whisk cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry, then gradually stir it into the sauce remaining in the slow cooker.
- Cook the sauce on HIGH for an additional 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
- Return the shredded chicken to the thickened sauce in the slow cooker and stir to coat evenly.
- Serve the Honey Garlic Chicken over freshly cooked white rice, garnishing with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
For best results, ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Searing the chicken beforehand is optional but adds depth of flavor and better texture. Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.