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Easy Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Breast Recipe for Perfect Tender Meat

slow cooker honey garlic chicken breast - featured image
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A simple and forgiving slow cooker recipe that yields tender, juicy chicken breasts smothered in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights and minimal effort cooking.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 to 2 pounds / 680 to 900 grams)
  • ⅓ cup honey (113 grams)
  • ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce (60 ml)
  • 3 cloves garlic minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (30 ml)
  • ¼ cup water (60 ml)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (8 grams)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to help the sauce stick better and promote even cooking. (5 minutes)
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic or garlic powder, apple cider vinegar, water, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Ensure the honey is fully incorporated. (5 minutes)
  3. Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker in a single layer. Slightly overlap if needed but avoid stacking. (2 minutes)
  4. Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the chicken breasts, coating them well. Some sauce will pool at the bottom, which is perfect for basting later. (1 minute)
  5. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is tender. (Time varies by slow cooker)
  6. Check for doneness using a meat thermometer or slice the thickest piece to ensure no pink remains. Cook in 15-minute increments if more time is needed. (1 minute)
  7. Remove chicken breasts carefully and set aside. Mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water to make a slurry. Pour the sauce from the slow cooker into a saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Stir in the slurry and cook until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. (10 minutes)
  8. Return the chicken breasts to the thickened sauce or spoon sauce over the top. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired. (2 minutes)

Notes

Patting the chicken dry before cooking helps the sauce stick and improves texture. Cooking on low heat for 4-5 hours yields juicier chicken than high heat. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. Make a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce without clumps. Stir sauce before serving to maintain a shiny glaze. Adjust sweetness or thickness with water or vinegar as needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, honey garlic chicken, easy chicken recipe, tender chicken breasts, crockpot chicken, weeknight dinner, honey garlic sauce

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/easy-slow-cooker-honey-garlic-chicken-breast-recipe-for-perfect-tender-meat/