Sticky Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken & Carrots
A true set-it-and-forget-it masterpiece, this slow cooker recipe yields incredibly tender chicken and perfectly soft carrots drenched in a sweet and savory honey garlic glaze. It's the ultimate fuss-free comfort food that fills your home with an intoxicating aroma.
Equipment
- Slow cooker (Crockpot)
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Medium bowl
- Whisk
- Small saucepan
- Small bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 4 medium carrots, peeled and chopped into 1-inch pieces
- ½ cup honey
- ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and place them in a single layer in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Scatter the chopped carrots around and on top of the chicken.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, low-sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and black pepper until well combined.
- Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken and carrots in the slow cooker, ensuring everything is nicely coated.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and incredibly tender.
- Carefully remove the cooked chicken and carrots from the slow cooker and set them aside on a plate.
- Pour the remaining liquid from the slow cooker into a small saucepan. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry.
- Bring the sauce in the saucepan to a simmer over medium heat. Once simmering, whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Continue to simmer, whisking constantly, for 1-2 minutes until the sauce has thickened into a beautiful, glossy glaze.
- Return the chicken and carrots to a large bowl or the now-empty slow cooker. Pour the thickened glaze all over them and toss gently to coat completely.
- Serve immediately, garnished with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and freshly sliced green onions.
Notes
For a deeper flavor, brown the chicken thighs in a hot skillet for 2-3 minutes per side before adding them to the slow cooker. If using chicken breasts, reduce the cooking time to 4-5 hours on low to prevent them from drying out. For a touch of heat, add a teaspoon of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or quinoa to soak up the delicious glaze.