You guys, I love chicken! I think it gets a bad rap because it doesn’t have a ton of flavor, but I think that’s one of its best qualities. You can season this high protein and rather inexpensive meat any way you like it.

These honey garlic glazed chicken thighs get a quick sear in a skillet, then cook low and slow in a sweet and tangy sauce of honey, garlic, balsamic, lime and fresh ginger. Serve them over rice with your favorite veggies.

The Best Honey Garlic Glazed Chicken Thighs (Slow Cooker)

I’ll admit, it did take me a while to learn how to cook chicken without drying it out, but since then I’ve never looked back! If you are still learning, you can learn how to cook chicken with more of the recipes here.

For my birthday a few years ago, my sweet husband got me a cookbook that is based off of one of my favorite book series. It’s called the Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader, and it is so much fun to read through! The Mitford series is amazing too. They always cook up delicious meals in every book, and I always imagine myself getting to try the savory treats.

The books are about a little town called Mitford, and they focus on Father Tim, who is the local priest. The series is all about living in a small town and the interactions with all the different people. I felt I could relate to the characters super well. The books make you want to pack up and go live in the quaint little community. Just thinking about it makes me want to go reread the series!

Back to this recipe. It may not be fried, but it sure is delicious and super simple! The smell coming from the crockpot is amazing, and both my husband and I love eating chicken this way.

Why You’ll Love These Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Sweet and savory sauce. The honey garlic sauce is slightly sweet with a wonderful and yet subtle ginger flavor.
Juicy and tender. Chicken thighs, with their slightly higher fat content, stay super juicy in the slow cooker.
Easy prep. A quick sear, a sauce stirred together in a bowl and the slow cooker does the rest.
Budget friendly. Boneless, skinless thighs are an inexpensive, high protein dinner.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here is what goes into these honey glazed chicken thighs and what each ingredient does. Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Thighs have a little more fat than breasts, so they stay moist and tender during slow cooking. Look for pieces of a similar size so they cook evenly.
Olive oil: Just a splash in a hot skillet to sear the chicken and build a golden, flavorful crust. Those browned bits add a deeper, roasted flavor to the finished sauce.
Honey: The base of the glaze. It adds sweetness and helps the sauce cling to the chicken. A mild clover or wildflower honey keeps the flavor balanced, while darker honey tastes stronger.
Balsamic vinegar: Adds tang and a deep, slightly fruity flavor that balances the honey.
Soy sauce: A small amount adds savory, salty depth. Coconut aminos or tamari work if you want to avoid regular soy sauce.
Lime: Fresh lime juice brightens the sauce and keeps it from tasting too sweet. Roll the lime on the counter before cutting it to get more juice.
Garlic: Four cloves, minced. Fresh garlic gives the sauce its bold flavor and smells amazing as it cooks. Jarred minced garlic works in a pinch, but fresh tastes sweeter and stronger.
Dried basil: A gentle herbal note that rounds out the sauce. Dried herbs hold up well during long, slow cooking.
Fresh ginger: Freshly grated ginger adds a subtle warmth and zing. Grate it on a microplane for the smoothest texture.
Salt and pepper: Used to season the chicken before searing and in the sauce. A light sprinkle on the chicken is all you need, since the soy sauce adds salt too.

How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Heat the skillet. Heat a skillet over high heat and add a splash of olive oil. The pan should be hot enough that the chicken sizzles as soon as it hits the oil.
Season the chicken. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken thighs lightly with salt and pepper.
Sear. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook on both sides until just browned. You are only looking for a quick sear and a golden color, not to cook it through, so don’t overcook it here.
Make the sauce. While the chicken sears, stir together the honey, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, basil, ginger and the remaining salt and pepper.
Slow cook. Transfer the seared thighs to the slow cooker and pour the sauce over the top. Cook on low for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and reaches 165°F in the thickest part.
Serve. Spoon rice onto plates, place the chicken on top and spoon the sauce left in the slow cooker over everything. Add your favorite vegetables on the side. If you like a thicker glaze, simmer the leftover sauce in a small pan for a few minutes until it reduces and turns glossy.

Tip: Keep the sear quick. You only want the chicken just browned in the skillet, since it finishes cooking in the slow cooker and overcooking it is what dries chicken out.

Ways to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken

Over rice. White, brown or jasmine rice soaks up the extra sauce.
With veggies. Steamed broccoli, green beans or roasted carrots all pair well with the sweet glaze.
Sliced for bowls. Slice the thighs and pile them over rice and vegetables for easy meal prep bowls.
With cauliflower rice. For a lighter plate, spoon the chicken and sauce over cauliflower rice or a bed of greens.

Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs FAQs

Do I have to sear the chicken first? The sear adds color and flavor, so it is worth the few extra minutes. Just brown the outside quickly and let the slow cooker do the rest.
How long do I cook them? Cook on low for 2 to 3 hours. The chicken is done when it reaches 165°F in the thickest part.
Is the sauce very sweet? It is slightly sweet, but the balsamic vinegar, lime juice and soy sauce balance the honey, and the ginger adds a subtle warmth.
Can I use chicken breasts? Yes, but breasts are leaner and dry out faster. Check them early and pull them as soon as they reach 165°F.
Can I make this without soy sauce? Yes. Swap in coconut aminos or tamari, or leave it out and add a pinch more salt.
Can I use bone in thighs? You can, but they will likely need more time in the slow cooker. Use a thermometer and cook until they reach 165°F.
What should I serve with it? Rice and vegetables. Place the chicken on top of the rice and spoon the sauce over it.
How long do leftovers last? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Reheat until steaming hot.

Honey Garlic Glazed Chicken Thighs - No Diets Allowed

Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs

These honey glazed chicken thighs are seared, then slow cooked in a sauce of honey, garlic, balsamic vinegar, lime and fresh ginger. Serve them over rice with vegetables and spoon the extra sauce on top.

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Ingredients

4 chicken thighs boneless and skinless
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
½ tablespoon soy sauce
1 lime juiced
4 garlic cloves minced
½ tsp dried basil
1 tsp freshly grated ginger
1 tsp salt
½ tsp freshly ground pepper

Instructions

Heat up a skillet over high heat. Add a splash of oil to it. Season chicken on both sides with a light sprinkle of salt and pepper. Add chicken to skillet and cook on both sides until just browned. Don’t overcook the chicken. Just make sure to get a quick sear. Meanwhile mix all the other ingredients together to form a sauce. Once chicken thighs are seared, transfer them to the slow cooker and pour the sauce on top. Cook on low for 2-3 hours.
Serve with rice and vegetables. Place chicken on top of the rice, spoon sauce remaining in the slow cooker over it.

Made these chicken thighs? Leave a star rating in the recipe card and share how they turned out in the comments below. What are some of your favorite chicken recipes?

This recipe was shared by Camila.