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Honey Garlic Chicken

Name: Honey Garlic Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 15 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1 cup honey; 1 cup soy sauce; 6 cloves garlic, minced; 4 large carrots, cut into slices; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional); Chopped green onions for garnish (optional)

Warm, sticky, and impossibly simple, this honey garlic chicken is a weeknight hero that feels like a special dinner. The sweet-salty glaze clings to tender chicken breasts and fragrant garlic, while slow cooking brings out deep flavor with almost no hands-on time. If you love set-and-forget comfort food, check out an alternate slow-cooker approach at this crockpot honey garlic chicken recipe for inspiration.

Why make this recipe

Ready with pantry staples: honey, soy sauce, and garlic create a gourmet-feeling sauce with minimal shopping.
Hands-off cooking: pop everything in a slow cooker and let it do the work—great for busy days.
This dish balances sweet, savory, and umami in a way that satisfies picky eaters and hungry households alike.

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup honey
1 cup soy sauce
6 cloves garlic, minced
4 large carrots, cut into slices
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
Chopped green onions for garnish (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Honey Garlic Chicken

Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup honey, 1 cup soy sauce, the minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste the mixture and adjust—if your soy sauce is very salty, you may want slightly less; if you prefer more sweetness, a little extra honey brightens the sauce.
Brown the chicken (optional): For extra depth of flavor, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken breasts 1–2 minutes per side until lightly golden. This step is optional but helps develop a richer sauce.
Layer in the slow cooker: Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot in a single layer. Pour the honey-garlic marinade evenly over the top so every piece is coated. Add the sliced carrots around the chicken so they cook in the sauce.
Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 3–4 hours. The long, gentle cooking makes the chicken very tender and allows the garlic to sweeten and mellow. If you’re short on time, high for 3–4 hours will still produce tender, flavorful chicken.
Check for doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The chicken should pull apart easily with a fork when fully cooked. If the sauce seems thin near the end of cooking, remove the chicken and carrots to a serving dish and thicken the sauce on the stovetop by simmering it for a few minutes or whisking in a small slurry of cornstarch and water.
Finish and garnish: Transfer the chicken and carrots to plates or a serving platter, spoon the sticky sauce over the top, and sprinkle with chopped green onions if desired. The green onion adds brightness and a bit of color to the glossy dish.

Directions (concise list as provided)

In a bowl, mix together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to create the marinade.
Place chicken breasts in the crockpot and pour the honey garlic marinade over the top.
Add the sliced carrots to the crockpot.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
Remove chicken and carrots from the crockpot; serve garnished with chopped green onions, if desired.

Best Way to Store Honey Garlic Chicken

Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container and refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below for up to 3–4 days.
Freezing: Place in a freezer-safe container and freeze at 0°F (-18°C) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through or in a 325°F (160°C) oven covered, for 15–20 minutes. Avoid high heat to prevent drying out.

Serving Suggestions for Honey Garlic Chicken
This sticky, flavorful chicken pairs well with simple, complementary sides that soak up the sauce. Serve it over steamed rice (white, jasmine, or brown), cauliflower rice for a lighter option, or buttery mashed potatoes for a comforting plate. Add a green vegetable—steamed broccoli, roasted green beans, or a crisp cabbage slaw—to provide contrast in texture and a refreshing counterpoint to the sweet sauce. For a complete weeknight meal, place the chicken on top of rice, spoon extra sauce over the grains, and scatter sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for color and crunch.

Tips to Make Honey Garlic Chicken (Q&A style)
Q: How do I keep the chicken moist if I don’t have a slow cooker?
A: If using the oven, sear the chicken first, then bake covered at 350°F (175°C) for 20–30 minutes, basting once with sauce; a thermometer is your best friend—remove at 165°F (74°C).

Q: Can I make the sauce thicker?
A: Yes—remove the cooked chicken, transfer the sauce to a saucepan, and simmer until reduced, or whisk in a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp cold water) and cook until glossy.

Q: Is there a way to reduce sodium without losing flavor?
A: Use low-sodium soy sauce and add a touch more honey or a squeeze of fresh lemon to balance the flavors without extra salt.

Variations (two different formats)

Asian-inspired glaze (bullet): Add 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, and a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade. Finish with toasted sesame seeds for nutty aroma.
A second option: For a quicker stovetop version, slice the chicken into strips, sauté in a skillet, add the marinade, and simmer until sauce is thick and chicken is cooked through. This method concentrates the flavors faster and gives you a caramelized finish.

FAQs
Q: How long can I leave this in the slow cooker?
A: It’s safe to keep on low for the recommended 6–8 hours; beyond that, chicken may start to dry and become stringy. If you anticipate needing a longer window, leave the cooker on the “warm” setting after the chicken reaches 165°F.

What if I only have bone-in chicken?
If using bone-in breasts or thighs, increase the cooking time by 1–2 hours on low to ensure they reach a safe internal temperature; bone-in pieces often stay juicier so they’re a great substitute.

Can I prepare this ahead for meal prep?
- Yes. Cook the chicken, cool it to room temperature for no more than 2 hours, then refrigerate in meal-sized containers. The sauce keeps the meat moist and tastes even better after a day as flavors meld.

Expert notes and troubleshooting

Too sweet? If your sauce tastes overly sweet after cooking, add a splash of rice vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice to bring acidity and balance.
Sauce won’t thicken? Remove excess liquid and simmer on the stovetop to concentrate flavors; cornstarch slurry helps quickly thicken a thin sauce.
Garlic too sharp? Long, slow cooking mellows garlic; if you prefer subtler garlic, reduce to 3–4 cloves or use smashed whole cloves for a gentler infusion.

Make-ahead and meal prep ideas

Cook a double batch and freeze individual portions for effortless dinners later in the month. Freeze with rice or keep grains separate to maintain texture.
Use leftover honey garlic chicken in sandwiches, wraps, or tossed into a salad with crunchy cabbage and a light dressing. Slice the chicken thinly and pair with pickled cucumbers for a vibrant lunch.

Nutrition and dietary notes
This recipe is naturally high in protein from the chicken and provides carbohydrate from the honey. To lower overall sugar, reduce the honey by a quarter cup and increase soy sauce slightly (or replace some liquid with low-sodium broth), then adjust to taste. For gluten-free diets, use tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce.

Final presentation tips
Serve the chicken on a warm platter with the carrots arranged alongside and extra sauce drizzled over. Garnishes like finely sliced green onion, toasted sesame seeds, or a handful of chopped cilantro add a fresh finish. For family-style dining, keep the sauce in a small bowl so guests can add more if they like it extra saucy.

Conclusion

For another take on honey garlic with a quick-cook method, try the speedy skillet approach described in this 15-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken guide which is perfect for busy nights. If you want a tested recipe focused on chicken breasts with similar flavors, the recipe on RecipeTin Eats is a solid reference for variations and plating ideas.