Description
This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies recipe offers a comforting, healthy, and fuss-free meal featuring tender chicken thighs slow-cooked in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce alongside vibrant vegetables. Perfect for weeknight dinners, it combines balanced nutrition, rich flavor, and minimal cleanup, making it a family-friendly favorite that’s easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 4 fresh garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening)
- 2 tablespoons cold water (for cornstarch slurry)
Vegetables
- 3 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 large red bell pepper, sliced
Optional Garnishes
- 2 green onions, freshly chopped
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and chicken broth to create a flavorful honey garlic base for the dish.
- Layer the Ingredients: Place the chicken thighs at the bottom of the slow cooker. Arrange the chopped carrots, broccoli florets, and sliced red bell peppers on top and around the chicken evenly.
- Pour the Sauce Over: Drizzle the prepared honey garlic sauce evenly over the chicken and vegetables, ensuring everything is well coated for maximum flavor.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, until the chicken is tender and the vegetables are cooked but still vibrant and not mushy.
- Thicken the Sauce: About 30 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry, then stir it into the slow cooker. This will thicken the sauce into a glossy, delicious glaze coating the chicken and veggies.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for moisture and tenderness, as they cook better in slow cookers than breasts.
- Cut vegetables into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Do not skip the cornstarch thickener step to achieve a silky, flavorful sauce.
- Always place chicken at the bottom so it cooks thoroughly with the longer cooking time it requires.
- Fresh minced garlic delivers more vibrant flavor compared to garlic powder.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, honey garlic chicken, healthy slow cooker recipe, one pot meal, gluten free dinner, crockpot chicken and veggies
