A family favourite Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken recipe that takes just minutes to prepare... then set and forget!
Serve the tender chicken over rice, pasta or mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sweet and creamy sauce.
Want effortless midweek dinners? Then grab your slow cooker and start with this simple honey mustard chicken dish that takes only 10 minutes to prepare.
It's not just in winter that I use my slow cooker for making warm and hearty soups and casseroles. I use it on a regular basis all year round as it's just the simplest way to have a tasty family dinner ready when you get home, with almost zero effort!
I love the convenience of throwing everything in the slow cooker, and dinner is cooked with no-fuss. Everything from a roast chicken with vegetables, to tender shredded pulled pork, a mexican chicken soup - the variety of what you can cook in a slow cooker is endless. Even a chicken and mushroom risotto can be left to cook itself!
Why You're Going To Love This Recipe
Loaded with flavour, slow cooker honey mustard chicken is a winner with all ages!
- Set and forget - have this dinner prepped in no time, then let the slow cooker do the rest!
- Double the recipe - you can easily increase the quantities or double the recipe for extra's, or to have enough leftover to pop in the freezer for another night.
- Budget-friendly - grab some chicken thighs when they're on special and make a filling family dinner that can easily be extended by serving over a bed of mashed potato, pasta or steamed rice.
- Loaded with flavour! - the combo of honey and mustard, slow cooked to infuse the chicken thighs with its rich and creamy sauce, make this family meal full of flavour.
What You Need
Honey mustard chicken, cooked in a slow cooker (crockpot), makes a kid-friendly dinner with little effort, and the leftovers are just as good!
Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.
- Butter - to sear the chicken thigh fillets in.
- Sweet paprika - also known as ground paprika or Hungarian paprika. Sweet paprika has a delicate and mild peppery taste, but is definitely not spicy hot. Use sweet paprika rather than smoked paprika in this recipe as they are quite different flavours.
- Chicken thigh fillets - skinless, approx 6-8 thigh fillets. I recommend thigh fillets as they will stay plumb, juicy and tender after being simmered in the sauce. Chicken breasts can be used, if you prefer, however they tend to dry out a little more as they are much leaner than thigh fillets. See Expert Tips.
- Cornflour - also called cornstarch, used to thicken the sauce.
- Chicken stock liquid - store bought liquid chicken stock is a convenient pantry staple these days, and the quality is very good.
- Mustard powder - such as Keen's mustard powder.
- Wholegrain mustard - adds a delightful earthy flavour from the tiny mustard seeds.
- Dijon mustard - is the traditional mustard of France. Dijon mustard has a creamy texture, spicy taste and a smooth finish.
- Honey - to balance the mustards with sweetness.
- Frozen peas.
- Cream - use cooking cream or regular pouring cream, or even low fat if you prefer.
- Fresh parsley - to serve.
Equipment Required
If your slow cooker is able to sear as well as cook, then that's all the equipment you need.
- Frying pan - if your slow cooker is not able to sear the chicken.
- Slow cooker - also called a crockpot.
Step By Step Instructions
Slow cooker honey mustard chicken is a warm and comforting meal for any occasion, and can be served with plenty of different options. Serve with steamed vegetables and mashed or baked potatoes, or swap the potatoes for steamed rice or pasta - there's a multitude of ways to extend this dish!
Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.
Step 1 - Sear The Chicken
Sprinkle the paprika over the chicken thighs to coat them.
Heat the butter in a frying pan over a high heat (or in the bowl of a searing slow cooker). Sear the thigh fillets on either side until well browned (the chicken will still be uncooked in the centre).
Place the chicken thigh fillets into the base of a slow cooker.
Step 2 - Mix The Sauce Ingredients
In a separate jug or bowl, mix the cornflour and the liquid chicken stock until the cornflour is dissolved.
Add the dry mustard powder, the wholegrain mustard, dijon mustard and the honey to the stock, and stir until all ingredients are combined.
Pour this sauce over the seared chicken thigh fillets and turn them to coat in the sauce. Cook on LOW for 4 hours or on HIGH for 2 hours.
Note: If possible, turn the chicken thigh pieces over partway through the cooking time.
Step 3 - Add Remaining Ingredients
With 10 minutes cooking time remaining, stir the cream and the frozen peas through the sauce.
Serve with some fresh parsley sprinkled over the chicken (optional).
Expert Tips
You really can't go wrong with a slow cooker meal.....it's just too easy!
- Skinless chicken thigh fillets – or substitute with chicken drumsticks or chicken breasts. Chicken thigh fillets or drumsticks are the best options as they are the most tender and moist and the meat will quite literally ‘fall-apart’ when cooked. You can increase the amount of chicken up to 1kg to serve more if you like.
- Cream - cooking cream or regular pouring cream is suitable to use as the dish is only simmered at a low heat, rather than boiled rapidly which can cause cream to curdle.
- 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. Any leftovers will freeze well.
- Storing - store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 day.
- Freezing - this slow cooker honey mustard chicken will freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat thoroughly before consuming.
FAQs
By searing the chicken thigh fillets first, and then cooking for 4 hours on LOW (or for 2 hours on HIGH), this will ensure that your chicken thighs are cooked through.
You can also test the chicken with a knife - when inserted into the thickest part, the juices should run clear, not pink.
The internal temperature for cooked chicken should be at least 75 degrees celsius (165 degrees Fahrenheit).
I like to serve honey mustard chicken cooked in a slow cooker over a bed of mashed potato, pasta or rice as it soaks up all the yummy sauce. Add some steamed greens or other veggies on the side.
Related Recipes
Don't think of your slow cooker as only for soups and winter meals, it's one of the handiest appliances to use all year round for easy 'set and forget' family meals.
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Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 tbs butter
- 1 tbs sweet paprika
- 800 g skinless chicken thigh fillets approx 6-8 thighs
- 2 tbsp cornflour
- 180 ml (¾ cup) chicken stock liquid
- 2 tsp mustard powder
- 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp honey heaped
- 120 g (¾ cup) frozen peas
- 110 ml (½ cup) cream
- fresh parsley to serve
Instructions
- Heat the butter in a frying pan (or in the bowl of a searing slow cooker) over high heat. Sprinkle the paprika over the chicken thighs to coat. Cook the chicken on either side until well browned (the chicken will still be raw in the centre). Place the chicken thigh fillets into the base of a slow cooker (crockpot).
- In a bowl, mix together the cornflour and the liquid chicken stock until dissolved. Add the dry mustard powder, wholegrain mustard, dijon mustard and honey. Mix until combined.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken thighs and turn to coat.
- Cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours. Note: If possible, turn the chicken thighs over partway through cooking.
- With 10 minutes remaining, stir through the cream and the peas.
- Serve with fresh parsley (optional).
Notes
- 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.
- 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 mustard chicken will freeze for up to 3 months.
Jamie
So delicious. Added spinach instead of peas and it was loved by all. Will definitely make again
Lucy
Amazing!
Katie
Wow this was absolutely delicious! My partner loved it too and he’s a fussy eater so I was really impressed. Thankyou so much XX.
Lucy
Fantastic!