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Easy Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe

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This sticky honey garlic chicken thighs recipe is a quick and easy weeknight dinner made with simple ingredients. The slow cooker does all the work, creating tender chicken in a glossy, sweet-savory sauce that’s lighter than takeout.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 6–8 thighs)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • ⅓ cup honey
  • ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • Sesame seeds (for garnish)
  • Chopped green onions or scallions (for garnish)
  • Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Season and Sear the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken thighs in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer the seared thighs to your crockpot.
  2. Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, tomato paste, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using) until fully incorporated. Pour this mixture over the chicken in the crockpot.
  3. Slow Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. About 30 minutes before serving, check the chicken—it should be fork-tender.
  4. Thicken the Sauce: Carefully remove the chicken thighs from the crockpot and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth. Pour this slurry into the sauce in the crockpot. Stir well. Turn the heat to HIGH (if not already) and let the sauce cook uncovered for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens into a glossy glaze.
  5. Finish and Serve: Return the chicken thighs to the crockpot and toss in the thickened sauce until well-coated. Let warm through for about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, chopped green onions, and fresh cilantro if using. Serve immediately over steamed rice, quinoa, or with your favorite vegetables.

Notes

Don’t skip the searing step—it adds depth of flavor. For a thicker sauce, use the cornstarch slurry and let it cook uncovered for at least 10 minutes. Chicken thighs are preferred over breasts for tenderness. If using chicken breasts, reduce cooking time to 2-3 hours on LOW. The dish tastes even better the next day as flavors meld.

Nutrition

Keywords: sticky honey garlic chicken, slow cooker chicken thighs, honey garlic chicken, easy weeknight dinner, gluten-free chicken recipe

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