Description
Succulent honey garlic slow cooker chicken thighs deliver rich, complex flavors from North American kitchens. Tender meat glazed with sweet and savory sauce offers comfort and warmth for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 chicken thighs (bone-in, skinless or boneless)
- ⅓ cup honey
- ⅓ cup soy sauce (low sodium)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsps ketchup
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)
- 1 tsp ground ginger (optional)
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional)
- 2 tbsps water
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Seasoning and Searing: Season chicken thighs thoroughly with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear chicken until a golden-brown crust forms, sealing in rich flavors and creating a robust exterior.
- Sauce Creation: Whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, ketchup, vinegar, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl until a harmonious, glossy sauce emerges with balanced sweet and tangy notes.
- Slow Cooking Preparation: Transfer seared chicken to slow cooker and pour prepared sauce over the meat, ensuring complete coverage. This method allows deep flavor penetration and tenderization during cooking process.
- Cooking and Tenderization: Cook on low temperature for 5-6 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours. Chicken should become incredibly tender, easily pulling apart with minimal pressure, indicating perfect doneness.
- Sauce Refinement: Remove chicken momentarily and create a cornstarch slurry to thicken remaining cooking liquid. Reintegrate chicken, coating each piece with the enriched, glossy sauce for maximum flavor intensity.
- Serving and Presentation: Plate chicken over rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables. Garnish with fresh green onions and toasted sesame seeds, transforming the dish into a visually appealing and delectable meal.
Notes
- Optimize Searing Technique: Brown chicken thighs quickly in high heat to create a flavorful crust that seals in moisture, preventing dry meat and enhancing overall taste profile.
- Sauce Balancing Trick: Adjust honey and soy sauce ratio to control sweetness and saltiness; taste sauce before pouring to ensure perfect flavor harmony for personal preferences.
- Cornstarch Slurry Precision: Mix cornstarch with cold water to prevent lumps when thickening sauce, stirring continuously to achieve smooth, glossy texture without compromising flavor intensity.
- Dietary Adaptation Strategy: Substitute honey with maple syrup for vegan version, use tamari instead of soy sauce for gluten-free option, and remove red pepper flakes for mild taste preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 69
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg