Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken Thighs
Description
These Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken Thighs are tender, juicy, and packed with sweet, savory, and garlicky flavor. Chicken thighs slowly simmer in a delicious honey-soy sauce until incredibly tender, then finish with toasted sesame seeds and green onions. It’s an easy weeknight dinner that tastes like your favorite takeout—but made at home!
🍗 Ingredients
2½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
½ cup honey
½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
2 green onions, sliced
👩🍳 Instructions
Prepare the sauce:
In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, sesame oil, rice vinegar, grated ginger, hoisin sauce, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
Add the chicken:
Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker. Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the chicken.
Slow cook:
Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2½–3½ hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Thicken the sauce:
Transfer the chicken to a plate. Pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan. Mix cornstarch with cold water, whisk it into the sauce, and simmer for 2–4 minutes, until glossy and thickened.
Glaze the chicken:
Return the chicken to the slow cooker or place it on a serving platter. Spoon the thickened honey garlic sauce generously over the thighs.
Add sesame seeds:
Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Serve:
Serve hot over steamed rice, cauliflower rice, noodles, or alongside steamed vegetables.
🍚 Serving Ideas
Try it with:
Steamed jasmine rice
Brown rice
Cauliflower rice
Stir-fried vegetables
Broccoli
Green beans
Asian-style cucumber salad
Egg noodles
💡 Tips
Boneless chicken thighs stay especially juicy in the slow cooker.
For extra flavor, sear the chicken thighs in a hot skillet before slow cooking.
Don’t skip the sesame oil—it gives the sauce a delicious nutty flavor.
Add extra red pepper flakes or sriracha for a spicy version.
Toast the sesame seeds briefly in a dry skillet for an even richer flavor.
The sauce thickens as it cools, so don’t make it excessively thick on the stove.
❓ Q&A
Q: Can I use chicken breasts?
Yes, but chicken breasts are leaner and can dry out more easily. Check them earlier than thighs.
Q: Can I use bone-in chicken thighs?
Absolutely. Bone-in thighs work well but may require slightly longer cooking.
Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes. Refrigerate the cooked chicken and sauce in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Q: Can I freeze the chicken?
Yes. Freeze the cooled chicken with some sauce for up to 3 months.
Q: How can I make it spicy?
Add red pepper flakes, sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or a drizzle of hot honey.