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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Slow Cooker Honey Soy Garlic Chicken

    A picture of Lucy the baker from Bake Play Smile.
    Modified: Apr 1, 2024 · Published: Apr 22, 2024 by Lucy · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments
    Jump to Recipe
    Honey soy chicken served over rice. and sprinkled with chopped spring onions.

    This slow cooker honey soy garlic chicken is packed with flavour and is the perfect 'fakeaway' dinner.

    Serve with rice for a no-fuss family meal that takes just 20 minutes to prepare... set and forget in the slow cooker!

    A white plate with a serve of slow cooker honey soy chicken and rice.

    With tender juicy chicken in a rich flavour packed sauce, this honey soy slow cooker chicken is so much tastier than a takeaway meal - and cheaper too!

    Slow cooker recipes are so easy and make the BEST family dinners for busy weeknights or weekends. Like my no-fuss 'set and forget' slow cooker butter chicken, 4 ingredient slow cooker buffalo chicken, slow cooker apricot chicken and slow cooker satay chicken, all are such convenient and tasty meals that I make a LOT!

    A plate of honey soy chicken served with rice and topped with chopped spring onions and sesame seeds.

    Why You're Going To Love This Recipe

    • Easy recipe - there is no need to brown the chicken, just leave the slow cooker to cook the chicken until tender before reducing the sauce until rich and thick!
    • Family friendly - this slow cooker chicken is loved by kids and adults alike.
    • Great for busy weeknights - just prepare in the morning and come back to the house smelling amazing! Reduce the sauce whilst cooking the rice.
    • Budget friendly - made with budget friendly ingredients, this slow cooker honey soy garlic chicken makes an economical meal.
    • Freezer friendly - make double the batch or freeze leftovers for a quick and easy dinner later in the week.

    What You Need

    Slow cooker chicken in honey and soy sauce is made from basic ingredients that are all easy to find at your local supermarket, or you may already have on hand!

    Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.

    Ingredients required for a family meal set out on a bench top.
    • Chicken thighs - I use skinless chicken thigh fillets. This recipe uses approx 6 thigh fillets, or substitute with either chicken drumsticks or chicken breasts.
    • Light soy sauce - this adds flavour without the colour and extra sweetness that dark soy sauce gives to a dish.
    • Honey - you can use any brand of runny honey you like.
    • Tomato paste - concentrated tomato paste adds an extra depth of flavour to the sauce.
    • Rice wine vinegar - helps to balance out the sweetness of the honey.
    • Sesame oil - adds a delicious flavour, however it is very strong tasting so be careful not to use more than the recipe states!
    • Ginger - you can use fresh ginger or minced garlic from a jar.
    • Garlic - like the ginger, you can use fresh garlic or store bought minced garlic.
    • Cornflour - is used to thicken the sauce.
    • Water.
    • Spring onions - also known as scallions. Finely sliced, for serving, optional.
    • Sesame seeds - for serving, optional.

    Equipment Required

    • Bowl - to mix the sauce ingredients.
    • Slow cooker or crockpot.
    • Saucepan - to reduce the sauce if you don't have a searing slow cooker.

    Step By Step Instructions

    This slow cooker honey garlic chicken takes just minutes to prepare - it's easy, fuss-free cooking at its best!

    Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.

    Step 1 - Place The Chicken Into The Slow Cooker

    Place the chicken thigh fillets into the base of a slow cooker (crockpot). 

    Chicken thigh fillets in the base of a crockpot.

    Step 2 - Mix The Sauce

    In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce, honey, tomato paste, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, minced ginger and minced garlic. 

    Pour the sauce over the chicken thighs and turn to coat them well. 

    Step 3 - Cook

    Cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours. 

    Note: if possible, turn the chicken thighs over partway through cooking. 

    The mixed sauce poured over the chicken pieces.

    Step 4 - Thicken The Sauce

    Once cooked, shred the chicken into chunks using 2 forks. You can do this whilst still in the slow cooker.

    Dissolve the cornflour in the water and stir through the honey soy chicken.

    To thicken the sauce: If you have a searing slow cooker, place the slow cooker directly onto the stovetop over medium heat and bring to a simmer until the sauce has thickened. If you don't have a searing slow cooker, pour the honey soy chicken into a saucepan and bring to a simmer on the stovetop. Alternatively, you can increase the slow cooker to HIGH and cook for a further 30 minutes.

    The cooked chicken shredded in the dark honey soy sauce.

    Step 5 - Serve

    Serve honey soy chicken over rice, sprinkled with chopped spring onions and sesame seeds.

    Close up of served honey chicken and rice.

    Expert Tips

    • Chicken - chicken thigh fillets or drumsticks are the best option as they will be more tender and the meat will quite literally 'fall-apart' when cooked. Alternatively, you can use chicken breats. Increase the amount of chicken up to 1kg if you like.
    • Turning the chicken - if you have time, turning the chicken thighs over half way through the cooking time will ensure beautifully tender chicken.
    • Doubling - this recipe can easily be doubled for a large family or to ensure some leftovers for a second meal.
    • Storing - store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 day.
    • Freezing - stored in an airtight container, this honey garlic chicken will freeze for up to 3 months.

    FAQs

    Do I need to brown the chicken before putting in the slow cooker?

    No, in this recipe there is no need to sear (brown) the chicken before adding to the slow cooker.

    Can I freeze slow cooker honey soy chicken?

    Yes! Any leftovers will freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat until piping hot all the way through.

    Is it better to cook chicken at the low or high setting in a slow cooker?

    Generally, cooking meat at a lower heat will ensure that the chicken is super tender and just falls apart. However if you don't have the time, cooking it on high works perfectly too!

    A fork holding a piece of honey soy chicken above a plateful.

    Related Recipes

    For the easiest fuss-free dinners made in the slow cooker, here are some more of my popular slow cooker recipes:

    • A bowl of rice rice, slow cooker chilli con carne, sour cream and corn chips.
      Slow Cooker Chilli Con Carne
    • Creamy Tuscan Slow Cooker Chicken with sun-dried tomatoes, baby spinach and parmesan cheese is the ultimate winter comfort food. Serve with pasta for a simple meal the whole family will love. #creamy #tuscan #slowcooker #crockpot #chicken #dinner #family #recipe #meal 
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    • A bowl of risotto with mushrooms, chicken, bacon and sundried tomatoes.
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    WANT EVEN MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Facebook or Instagram. And if you love baking, then please come and join my Facebook cooking club group or subscribe to my YouTube channel. 

    A bowl filled with Asian honey soy garlic chicken cooked in a slow cooker.

    Slow Cooker Honey Soy Garlic Chicken

    A family favourite Slow Cooker Honey Soy Garlic Chicken recipe that takes just minutes to prepare. Serve with rice and vegetables for a 'fakeaway' style dinner.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Slow Cooker Recipe
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 4 hours hours
    Total Time: 4 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 serves
    Calories: 276kcal
    Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile

    Ingredients

    • 800g skinless chicken thigh fillets approx 6 thighs
    • ½ cup light soy sauce low sodium
    • ½ cup honey
    • 2 tbs tomato paste
    • 1 tbs rice wine vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
    • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
    • 3 teaspoon minced garlic
    • 1 tbs cornflour
    • 2 tbs water
    • spring onions finely sliced, for serving
    • sesame seeds optional

    Instructions

    • Place the chicken thigh fillets into the base of a slow cooker (crockpot).
    • In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce, honey, tomato paste, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, minced ginger and minced garlic.
    • Pour the sauce over the chicken thighs and turn to coat.
    • Cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours.
      Note: If possible, turn the chicken thighs over partway through cooking.
    • Shred the chicken into chunks using 2 forks.
    • Dissolve the cornflour in the water and stir through the honey soy chicken.
    • To thicken the sauce:
      If you have a searing slow cooker, place the slow cooker directly onto the stovetop over medium heat and bring to a simmer until thickened.
      If you don't have a searing slow cooker, pour the honey soy chicken into a saucepan and bring to a simmer on the stovetop.
      Alternatively, increase the slow cooker to HIGH and cook for a further 30 minutes.
    • Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top (optional), and serve with rice.

    Notes

    RECIPE NOTES & TIPS
    Ingredients Info:
    • Skinless chicken thigh fillets - or substitute with chicken drumsticks or chicken breasts. Chicken thigh fillets or drumsticks are the best option as they will be more tender and the meat will quite literally 'fall-apart' when cooked. You can increase the amount of chicken up to 1kg if you like.
    More Recipe Tips:
    • Turning the chicken - if you have time, turning the chicken thighs over half way through the cooking time will ensure beautifully tender chicken.
    • Doubling - this recipe can easily be doubled.
    • Storing - store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 day.
    • Freezing - this honey garlic chicken will freeze for up to 3 months. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 127mg | Sodium: 1243mg | Potassium: 447mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 114IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 2mg
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @BakePlaySmileBlog or tag #BakePlaySmile!

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    Comments

    1. Karen says

      July 21, 2025 at 1:48 pm

      I don't have a slow cooker. Can you slow cook in the oven with the same results?

      Reply
      • Lucy says

        July 22, 2025 at 12:42 pm

        Hi Karen, you could do this on a low temp in the oven - however, a slow cooker will give you the best results.

        Reply
    2. Ribyn says

      September 11, 2024 at 7:57 am

      5 stars
      This was so good on many levels:
      *Easy to prepare
      *Cooked one day ahead
      *Reheated in oven
      .*so very delicious
      I decided to add sautéed mushrooms and baby spinach
      Thank you

      Reply
      • Lucy says

        September 11, 2024 at 8:19 am

        YUM!!!

        Reply
    5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    I’m Lucy! A mum, a wife, a food blogger and a lover of all things to do with food! I love creating delicious, no-fuss Thermomix and conventional recipes the whole family will love. Classic baking favourites, lunch box snacks, quick and easy family dinners and more!

    More about me →

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