Name: Crockpot Soy Honey Garlic Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: PT-488119H31M37S
Total time: 6 h 5 min
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired / Fusion
Ingredients: 2 lbs (4 pieces) of chicken breast; 1 cup reduced sodium soy sauce; ½ cup honey; ¼ cup hoisin sauce; 1 tbsp rice vinegar; 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil; 6–8 cloves garlic, grated; 2 scallions, sliced (for garnish); 1 tsp sesame seeds (for garnish); ¼ tsp salt, or to taste; ¼ tsp black pepper, or to taste

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how effortless this recipe is. It only takes me about five minutes to prep, and the crockpot handles the rest while I go about my day. The combination of soy sauce, honey, and garlic creates a perfectly balanced sauce that soaks into the chicken as it cooks. It’s a crowd-pleaser, easy to customize, and works beautifully for both weeknight dinners and meal prep.

ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

– 2 lbs (4 pieces) of chicken breast
– 1 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
– ½ cup honey
– ¼ cup hoisin sauce
– 1 tbsp rice vinegar
– 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
– 6–8 cloves of garlic
– 2 scallions
– 1 tsp sesame seeds
– ¼ tsp salt, or to taste
– ¼ tsp black pepper, or to taste

directions

I start by grating the garlic so it blends smoothly into the sauce.
I add the chicken breasts to the slow cooker, then pour in the soy sauce, honey, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and garlic. I season it with salt and pepper.
I stir everything together to make sure the chicken is well-coated.
I cover the crockpot and let it cook on high for 3–4 hours or on low for 6–7 hours.
Halfway through, I flip the chicken breasts to help them cook evenly and absorb more flavor.
Once the chicken is fully cooked, I use a hand mixer (or two forks) to shred it directly in the crockpot.
I serve the shredded chicken over rice, then top it with chopped scallions and sesame seeds.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 4–6 people. It takes just 5 minutes to prep and cooks in 3–4 hours on high or 6–7 hours on low in the slow cooker.

Variations

Sometimes I swap out the chicken breasts for boneless thighs when I want a juicier texture. For a little heat, I stir in a bit of sriracha or crushed red pepper flakes. I’ve also used this chicken in lettuce wraps or added steamed broccoli and carrots to make it a full meal. When I want a thicker sauce, I mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with water and stir it in during the last 15 minutes of cooking.

storage/reheating

I store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When I reheat, I use the microwave or warm it on the stovetop, adding a splash of water or extra sauce to keep it moist. This dish also freezes well—I just let it cool completely before freezing. To reheat, I thaw it overnight in the fridge and warm it up the next day.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken?

Yes, but I always make sure it’s fully thawed before adding it to the slow cooker to ensure even cooking and the best texture.

What can I serve this chicken with?

I usually serve it over rice, but it’s also great in wraps, lettuce cups, or over noodles. Sometimes I add stir-fried veggies for a complete meal.

How do I make the sauce thicker?

If I want a thicker sauce, I mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stir it in during the last 15 minutes of cooking.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely. I often prep the sauce ingredients and store them with the chicken in a sealed bag in the fridge overnight. The next morning, I just dump everything into the crockpot.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Not by default, but I can make it gluten-free by using tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce and making sure my hoisin sauce is also gluten-free.

Conclusion

Crockpot Soy Honey Garlic Chicken is my go-to when I want something delicious, comforting, and effortless. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory with rich garlic flavor, and I can serve it in so many different ways. Whether I’m feeding a hungry family or meal prepping for the week, this recipe always delivers.