Slow Cooker Honey and Garlic Chicken is a sweet and sour chicken dish with all the rich umami flavours that we expect from Asian recipes. This is such an easy way to cook and serve a chicken dish. It’s packed with flavour and, with the sweetness of honey, it is popular with children and adults alike.
Why should I make Honey and Garlic Chicken?
There are many versions of Honey and Garlic Chicken, it’s a popular flavour combination. I like to make my life as easy as possible and, for me, that means planning ahead so that my dinner takes very little effort.
I prepare Slow Cooker Honey & Garlic Chicken the night before. In the evening put all the ingredients in a container and marinate the chicken pieces in the sauce ingredients. The next morning, empty it all into your slow cooker and switch it on.
What ingredients do I need to make Honey and Garlic Chicken?
There are not too many ingredients required to make this recipe and you probably have most of them in your larder. I don’t claim that his recipe is in any way authentic to Asian cuisine, but it is very delicious. You will need:
- chicken
- garlic
- honey
- tomato ketchup
- dark soy sauce
- thyme
- parsley
What kind of chicken should I use to make Honey and Garlic Chicken?
I recommend skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. The thigh meat will stand up to the long slow cooking without shredding and is tender and tasty. I have also made this recipe with chicken drumsticks.
Can I use chicken breast?
You can use chicken breast but I recommend that you keep the breasts whole and cook the recipe on LOW for 4 hours. Chicken breast has less fat so it can become dried out if you cook it too long.
How do I serve Honey and Garlic Chicken?
Serve the Honey and Garlic Chicken simply with plain rice or noodles. Or take the meat off the bone and combine it with the cooked noodles and some lightly cooked broccoli florets. The noodles and broccoli absorb the flavours of the sauce and become just as delicious as the chicken.
This is such an easy way to cook and serve a Chinese-style chicken dish, it’s packed with flavour and, with the sweetness of honey, it is popular with children and adults alike.
More Asian-style Recipes from Farmersgirl Kitchen
Beef in Black Bean Sauce is my Slow Cooker version of a classic Chinese recipe. A rich, sweet and sticky sauce with tender pieces of beef and a hint of chilli. It’s easy to make and delicious served with plain boiled rice and fresh stir-fried vegetables.
Kung Pao Chicken is my slow cooker version of a classic Sichuan stir-fry. This popular takeaway (takeout) dish has tender pieces of chicken and sweet peppers in a salty, sweet, and spicy sauce. It’s a family favourite that’s easy to make and fun to eat with its garnish of peanuts, spring onions, and sesame seeds.
Fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts is one of the best Chinese ‘fakeaway’ dishes I’ve ever made. It’s got all the glorious umami flavours you expect from a takeaway and it’s just so simple to make.
Slow Cooker Honey and Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 (4) chicken thighs I cut up a whole chicken, roasted the breast and used the thighs, drumsticks and wings for this recipes
- 4 (4) garlic cloves grated
- 5 tablespoon (5 tablespoon) honey
- 8 tablespoon (8 tablespoon) tomato ketchup
- 8 tablespoon (8 tablespoon) dark soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) thyme
- 2 tablespoon (2 tablespoon) parsley finely chopped
Instructions
- Place the chicken in a large plastic freezer bag.
- Mix the other ingredients in a bowl and then add to the freezer bag, moving the chicken around in the bag to make sure it is covered.
- Seal or clip the top of the bag and place on a plate or tray in the refrigerator overnight.
- Next day, tip the contents of the bag into the slow cooker, make sure you get as much sauce out as possible.
- Cook on High for 4-5 hours or on Low for 6-7 hours.
Notes
*Be careful if you use drumsticks or wings, as they have small bones which may come away from the chicken while cooking and they are difficult to see in the dark sauce.Adapted from Diethood
Lucy @ BakingQueen74 says
Mmm, this looks so good with that rich, dark colour. I love how easy it it with just marinating overnight then putting the ingredients in the slow cooker. Will definitely try this as my children love chicken with noodles. Brilliant #SlowCookedChallenge entry Janice!
Janice Pattie says
Thanks Lucy, I was rather pleased with it. I bet children would love it.
Dom says
oooh, this looks beautiful… I love the shredded chicken on the noodles too. I want that for my dinner!!
Janice Pattie says
Thanks Dom, we enjoyed it.
Louise A says
Lovely looking recipe, just wondering if your timings are right “Cook on High for 6-7 hours or on Low for 4-5 hours”?
Janice Pattie says
Oh help, thanks Louise, that should be the other way round! Thanks for letting me know!
All That I'm Eating says
Love the sound of this Janice! Leaving this cooking all day certainly gives you something to look forward to.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, I’m all for making things easy!
Louise A says
you’re welcome 🙂
munchies & munchkins says
This sounds incredible. I love my slow cooker so will have to try this out! x
Janice Pattie says
Good to know that you love your slow cooker too, I hope you enjoy the recipe.
janie says
Dang, that look like my perfect meal Janice! Am bookmarking for a rainy day 🙂
Janie x