This slow cooker honey garlic chicken and veggies recipe is all the rage in my kitchen! It’s surprisingly easy to make at home, and you can tweak the ingredients however you like. Plus, it’s way more budget-friendly than ordering takeout from your favorite restaurant.
Looking for more crock pot slow cooker recipes? This honey garlic chicken crock pot creation has become my ultimate go-to for busy weeknights. The combination of tender chicken, perfectly cooked vegetables, and that irresistible sweet-savory sauce creates a meal that’s both comforting and sophisticated.
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired American
Category: Main Dish
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4-6 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes – 6 hours 15 minutes
Serves: 6 people
What makes this easy crockpot honey garlic chicken so special? You literally just dump everything in your slow cooker and walk away! By dinner time, you’ll have incredibly tender chicken swimming in a glossy, flavorful sauce alongside perfectly cooked vegetables. It’s like having a personal chef who works while you’re busy with life!
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Recipe
- Save time and stress by not worrying about dinner! You can easily make this honey garlic chicken at home, and it tastes just as amazing as restaurant versions.
- It’s rich, savory, and loaded with sweet honey garlic flavors that make your whole house smell incredible.
- Plus, you control the ingredients, so no mystery additives or preservatives in your family dinner!
- Perfect for meal prep – this recipe makes enough for leftovers or freezing for later.
The beauty of slow cooker honey garlic chicken and veggies lies in its simplicity. While other honey garlic chicken crock pot slow cooker crockpot recipes might seem complicated, this one proves that amazing flavor doesn’t require complicated techniques.
INGREDIENTS
For the Chicken and Veggies:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 3 large carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 lb baby potatoes, halved (or regular potatoes cut into chunks)
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
- 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- ½ cup honey
- ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh green onions, chopped (for garnish)
PREPARATION
- Prepare your vegetables by washing and cutting them into uniform sizes. This ensures even cooking in your crock pot slow cooker. Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Make the honey garlic sauce by whisking together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl. Set aside ¼ cup of this sauce for later glazing.
- Layer ingredients in slow cooker starting with the heartier vegetables. Place potatoes and carrots on the bottom, followed by onions and bell peppers. This one pan honey garlic chicken and veggies approach ensures everything cooks perfectly.
- Add the chicken on top of the vegetables. Pour the majority of the honey garlic sauce over everything, reserving that ¼ cup for later. Make sure the sauce reaches all the chicken pieces.
- Cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Add the broccoli florets during the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent them from getting mushy.
- Create the thickening mixture by whisking cornstarch and water together in a small bowl during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Thicken the sauce by stirring the cornstarch mixture into the slow cooker. Cover and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes until the sauce has thickened beautifully.
- Final glaze by brushing or spooning that reserved sauce over the chicken and vegetables just before serving.
- Garnish and serve with fresh chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve over rice, quinoa, or enjoy as-is!
Recipe Success Tips
The secret to perfect easy crockpot honey garlic chicken lies in layering your ingredients correctly. Always put the densest vegetables (like potatoes and carrots) on the bottom where they’ll get the most heat and moisture.
Don’t skip the step of adding broccoli at the end – this prevents it from turning to mush while ensuring it stays bright green and nutritious. For the best flavor development in this honey garlic chicken crock pot recipe, use chicken thighs instead of breasts when possible. They stay incredibly tender and absorb the flavors better.
Temperature control matters even in slow cooking. If your slow cooker runs hot, check the dish 30 minutes before the recommended time. The chicken should easily shred with a fork when it’s perfectly done.
For extra flavor depth, try searing the chicken in a hot skillet for 2-3 minutes per side before adding to the slow cooker. This optional step adds amazing color and flavor to your slow cooker honey garlic chicken and veggies.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
- 342 calories per serving
- 35g protein per serving
- 28g carbs per serving
- 12g fat per serving
- 4g fiber per serving
This honey garlic chicken recipe provides excellent protein content while delivering a full serving of vegetables. The nutrition profile makes it perfect for families looking for balanced, satisfying meals that everyone will actually eat.
Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
One of the best things about honey garlic chicken crock pot slow cooker crockpot recipes is how adaptable they are for different tastes and dietary needs. Can’t find rice vinegar? Apple cider vinegar works beautifully and adds a slightly different flavor note.
Vegetable swaps: Try green beans, snap peas, or zucchini instead of broccoli. Sweet potatoes work wonderfully in place of regular potatoes. For a more Asian-inspired version, add water chestnuts or baby corn during the last hour.
Protein alternatives: This recipe works amazingly with pork tenderloin or even firm tofu for vegetarian options. Adjust cooking times accordingly – pork needs about the same time as chicken, while tofu only needs the last 2 hours of cooking.
Sauce modifications: For a spicier version, add more red pepper flakes or a tablespoon of sriracha. Want it less sweet? Reduce honey to ⅓ cup and add an extra tablespoon of soy sauce.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
This easy crockpot honey garlic chicken is perfect for meal prep! The flavors actually improve after a day in the refrigerator. Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days in the fridge.
For freezer prep, combine all ingredients except broccoli in a freezer bag, lay flat, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then cook as directed, adding fresh broccoli in the last 30 minutes.
The sauce reheats beautifully – just add a splash of water or broth if it seems too thick after refrigeration. This makes it perfect for those one pan honey garlic chicken and veggies meal prep sessions.
Perfect Serving Suggestions
While this slow cooker honey garlic chicken and veggies is complete on its own, it pairs beautifully with fluffy jasmine rice or brown rice to soak up that incredible sauce. For a lower-carb option, serve over cauliflower rice or spiralized zucchini noodles.
The leftovers make amazing lunch salads too! Serve the cold chicken and vegetables over mixed greens with a drizzle of the sauce as dressing. It’s like having your own salad pasta creation but with more protein and vegetables.
For entertaining, this recipe easily doubles or triples. Just use a larger slow cooker or divide between two smaller ones. The hands-off cooking method makes it perfect for potlucks and family gatherings.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I use frozen vegetables in this recipe?
While fresh vegetables give the best texture, frozen can work in a pinch. Add frozen vegetables during the last hour of cooking to prevent them from becoming mushy. Skip the thawing step – just add them directly from frozen.
Why is my sauce not thickening properly?
Make sure your cornstarch slurry is smooth with no lumps. If the sauce still seems thin after the full cooking time, remove the lid and let it cook on high for an additional 15-20 minutes to allow excess moisture to evaporate.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts work well, though they can dry out more easily. If using breasts, check for doneness at the 4-hour mark on low heat to prevent overcooking. Thighs stay more tender and flavorful in slow cooker recipes.
How do I prevent vegetables from getting too soft?
The key is proper timing and sizing. Cut harder vegetables like potatoes and carrots into larger chunks, and add delicate vegetables like broccoli during the last 30 minutes. This ensures everything finishes cooking at the same time.
Can I make this recipe without honey for a lower sugar option?
Yes! You can substitute the honey with 2 tablespoons of brown sugar or maple syrup for a different sweetness profile. For a sugar-free version, try a sugar substitute designed for cooking, though the flavor will be slightly different.
Why This Recipe Has Become My Go-To
After trying countless honey garlic chicken crock pot recipes, this one has earned its permanent spot in my meal rotation. The combination of minimal prep work and maximum flavor makes it perfect for those days when life gets crazy but you still want a homemade dinner.
What really sets this slow cooker honey garlic chicken and veggies apart is how the sauce develops during the long, slow cooking process. The honey caramelizes slightly, the garlic becomes mellow and sweet, and everything melds together into pure comfort food magic.
The fact that it’s essentially a complete meal in one pot makes cleanup a breeze too. Less dishes equals more time for the things that matter – like actually sitting down to enjoy dinner with your family!
Plus, the versatility factor can’t be ignored. This recipe works for meal prep, entertaining, or those nights when you want something special but don’t have the energy for complicated cooking. It’s proof that crock pot slow cooker meals can be both convenient and delicious!
Budget-Friendly Cooking Tips
This honey garlic chicken recipe proves that you don’t need expensive ingredients to create something amazing. Buying chicken thighs instead of breasts saves money while delivering better flavor and texture.
Stock up on vegetables when they’re in season and on sale. Most of the vegetables in this recipe freeze well, so you can prep ingredients in advance. The sauce ingredients are all pantry staples that last a long time and can be used in many other honey garlic chicken crock pot slow cooker crockpot recipes.
Shopping at discount stores for honey and soy sauce can save significant money without sacrificing quality. These ingredients last for months, making this an economical choice for regular meal rotation.
I hope this slow cooker honey garlic chicken and veggies recipe brings as much joy and convenience to your kitchen as it has to mine! There’s something truly magical about coming home to a house that smells incredible and having dinner completely ready to serve.
Share Your Slow Cooker Success!
I absolutely love seeing how this slow cooker honey garlic chicken and veggies turns out in your kitchen! Share your photos on my Facebook page – I love seeing your creative variations and hearing about any tweaks you make.
Drop a comment if you tried a fun variation – I’d love to hear what you experimented with! Tag me @OlyviaBestRecipes on Pinterest when you make this recipe!
Follow me on Facebook for more amazing easy crockpot honey garlic chicken recipes and crock pot slow cooker ideas that make weeknight cooking both simple and delicious!
Author: Olyvia T.
