Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice (Slow Cooker): Cook in 1 Pot

Why Make This Recipe

Ever have those evenings where the thought of cooking a nutritious and delicious meal feels like climbing Mount Everest? You’re not alone! We all crave those comforting, flavorful dishes that warm us from the inside out, but sometimes, time just isn’t on our side. What if I told you there’s a magical, one-pot wonder that delivers incredible taste with minimal effort? Get ready to say goodbye to dinner stress and hello to your new weeknight hero: Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice (Slow Cooker). This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a promise of tender chicken, perfectly cooked rice, and a sticky-sweet sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds – all thanks to the magic of your slow cooker.

How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice (Slow Cooker)

This recipe is truly a “set it and forget it” meal, perfect for busy schedules. You will combine chicken, a delicious honey garlic sauce, rice, and broth in your slow cooker. Then, you let your slow cooker do all the work. After it cooks, you can thicken the sauce and serve this complete meal.

Ingredients of Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice (Slow Cooker)

• Chicken:
• Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

• The Honey Garlic Sauce Base:
• Honey
• Soy Sauce (low sodium is good)
• Minced Garlic (fresh is best!)
• Rice Vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• Sesame Oil
• Freshly Grated Ginger (optional, but highly recommended)
• Red Pepper Flakes (for a touch of heat, optional)

• The Rice:
• Long-grain white rice (like jasmine or basmati)
• Chicken Broth (or water)

• Thickener:
• Cornstarch slurry (cornstarch + water)

• Garnishes (Optional but Recommended):
• Chopped Green Onions
• Toasted Sesame Seeds

Directions of Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice (Slow Cooker)

Prep the Chicken

1. Pat the chicken dry. Season it with salt and pepper.
2. If you want, sear the chicken pieces in a hot pan for a few minutes on each side. This adds more flavor and color. It’s optional.

Whisk Up the Honey Garlic Sauce

1. In a medium bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using). Whisk until everything mixes well.

Assemble in the Slow Cooker

1. Put the chicken at the bottom of your slow cooker.
2. Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the chicken.
3. Add the rice to the slow cooker. Spread it in an even layer.
4. Pour the chicken broth over the rice. Gently stir the rice to make sure it is in the liquid. Be careful not to move the chicken too much.

Cook to Perfection

1. Cover the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 1.5-2.5 hours. Cook until the chicken is tender and fully cooked, and the rice is fluffy. Cooking times can be different depending on your slow cooker.

Thicken and Serve

1. Carefully take out the chicken. Set it aside.
2. If the sauce is too thin, make a cornstarch slurry. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir this into the liquid in the slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for another 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce is as thick as you like.
3. Shred or chop the chicken. Put it back into the slow cooker. Toss it gently to coat it with the thickened sauce and rice.

How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice (Slow Cooker)

• Serve this dish with:
• Steamed Veggies: Broccoli, snap peas, or green beans are great healthy sides.
• Fresh Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette gives a fresh taste.
• Kimchi or Pickled Cucumber: For an extra zing and fermented goodness.

How to Store Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice (Slow Cooker)

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Tips to Make Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice (Slow Cooker)

• Don’t open the lid! Do not peek during cooking. This lets out heat and steam, which makes cooking take longer.
• Rice type: Long-grain white rice works best. If you use brown rice, you will need more liquid and a longer cooking time.
• Chicken thawing: Make sure the chicken is fully thawed before you put it in the slow cooker. This helps it cook evenly.
• Grease your slow cooker: Use a little cooking spray. This can stop the rice from sticking to the bottom.
• Taste and adjust: Before you serve, taste the sauce. Add more honey for sweetness or more soy sauce for saltiness if you need to.

Variation

• Spicy Kick: Add more red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce.
• Vegetable Boost: Stir in some frozen peas, corn, or diced bell peppers during the last hour of cooking.
• Pineapple Power: A few pieces of canned pineapple (drained) can add a nice sweet and tropical taste.

FAQs

Q1: Can I use brown rice in this Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice (Slow Cooker) recipe?

A1: White rice is best for its quicker cooking time and how it absorbs the sauce. However, you can use brown rice. You will need to add about 1/2 to 1 cup more liquid. You will also need to cook it for an extra 1-2 hours on LOW. Cook until the rice is tender.

Q2: My Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice (Slow Cooker) sauce isn’t thick enough. What can I do?

A2: No problem! After the chicken and rice are cooked, take out the chicken. Add a cornstarch slurry to the liquid in the slow cooker. For every cup of liquid, start with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir it in well. Then, cook on HIGH for another 15-20 minutes, or until it is as thick as you want.

Q3: Can I prepare the ingredients for Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice (Slow Cooker) ahead of time?

A3: Yes, you can! You can mix the honey garlic sauce ingredients together. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also cut your chicken ahead of time. This makes putting everything in the slow cooker in the morning even faster!

Classic Honey Garlic Chicken and Rice (Slow Cooker)

This classic slow cooker recipe features tender chicken thighs coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, cooked with fluffy rice for a complete and comforting meal. It's an easy one-pot dish perfect for busy weeknights.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings 4 people

Calories 520 kcal

Equipment

• Slow cooker
• Medium bowl
• Whisk
• Cutting board
• Small bowl

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1.5 cups long-grain white rice (like jasmine)
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• Chopped green onions (for garnish, optional)
• Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

 

Instructions

• Pat chicken thighs dry and season with salt and pepper. Optionally, sear the chicken in a hot pan for added flavor and color.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and optional ginger and red pepper flakes to create the honey garlic sauce.
• Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker.
• Pour the whisked honey garlic sauce evenly over the chicken.
• Add the long-grain white rice to the slow cooker, spreading it evenly around and over the chicken.
• Carefully pour the chicken broth over the rice, ensuring it is fully submerged without disturbing the chicken.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 1.5-2.5 hours, until chicken is tender and rice is fluffy, avoiding opening the lid.
• Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and transfer it to a cutting board.
• If the sauce is too thin, mix cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the slow cooker liquid.
• Cover and cook on HIGH for an additional 15-20 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken to your preferred consistency.
• While the sauce thickens, shred or chop the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
• Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and gently toss with the rice and thickened sauce to coat everything.
• Serve hot, garnished with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds, if desired. It pairs well with steamed vegetables or a fresh salad.

Notes

This dish is a comforting and easy one-pot meal, perfect for a weeknight dinner. Adjust the red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level. For an extra layer of flavor, consider searing the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker. Serve with steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal.