Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs (5 Ingredients)
This easy crockpot honey garlic chicken thighs recipe uses just five simple ingredients for a sticky, sweet-savory sauce that makes the chicken fall-apart tender. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a crowd-pleaser that requires minimal prep and delivers maximum flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes to 6 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds chicken thighs (about 6–8 pieces), bone-in and skin-on or boneless, skinless
- ½ cup honey
- ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes, sesame seeds, chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Trim excess fat if desired.
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and ketchup.
- Place chicken thighs in the bottom of a 6-quart crockpot in a single layer.
- Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken, ensuring each piece is coated.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until chicken is tender and shreds easily.
- Optional: Remove chicken to a plate. Pour sauce into a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until thickened. Alternatively, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and whisk into sauce.
- Return chicken to crockpot or serving platter. Spoon thickened sauce over top. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if desired.
Notes
Don’t lift the lid during cooking to maintain heat. Chicken thighs are forgiving and stay moist. For extra caramelization, broil cooked chicken for 2-3 minutes. The sauce will thicken as it cooks; if too thin, simmer on stovetop. Leftovers keep in fridge for up to 4 days and freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 c
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 580
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Protein: 28
Keywords: crockpot chicken, honey garlic chicken, slow cooker chicken thighs, easy chicken recipe, 5 ingredient dinner, weeknight dinner, chicken thighs