Slow Cooker Honey Soy Chicken

### How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Soy Chicken

This recipe is incredibly simple and requires just a few minutes of prep time before you set the slow cooker to work. Here’s how to make this delicious dish:

#### Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
In a medium bowl, whisk together the **honey**, **soy sauce**, **rice vinegar**, **olive oil**, **garlic**, and **ginger**. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you like your dish a little sweeter, add a bit more honey. If you prefer more of a tang, add extra rice vinegar. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.

#### Step 2: Set Up the Slow Cooker
Place the chicken breasts (or thighs) in the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the honey soy marinade over the chicken, making sure the chicken is evenly coated. If you have time, let the chicken marinate in the sauce for 30 minutes to an hour (this is optional but will add more depth to the flavor).

#### Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on **low** for about **4-6 hours**, or until the chicken is tender and easily shreds with a fork. If you’re short on time, you can cook it on **high** for **2-3 hours**. The slow cooking will allow the chicken to absorb the sauce and become incredibly tender.

#### Step 4: Thicken the Sauce (Optional)
Once the chicken is cooked, you can choose to thicken the sauce if you prefer a more syrupy consistency. To do this, mix **1 tablespoon of cornstarch** with **1 tablespoon of water** in a small bowl to create a slurry. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the sauce and cook the chicken for an additional **15-20 minutes** on **high** to thicken the sauce.

#### Step 5: Shred the Chicken
Once the chicken is fully cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken right in the slow cooker, allowing it to soak up all that delicious sauce. You can leave it as chunky pieces or shred it finely, depending on your preference.

#### Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Serve the shredded honey soy chicken over steamed rice, noodles, or alongside your favorite vegetables. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for a touch of crunch and freshness.

### Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Honey Soy Chicken

1. **Use Chicken Thighs for Extra Juiciness**: While chicken breasts work great in this recipe, chicken thighs are even juicier and more flavorful, making them an excellent choice for slow cooking. They’ll stay moist and tender, even if you cook them for a little longer.
2. **Customize the Sauce**: Feel free to adjust the sweetness, tanginess, or saltiness of the sauce based on your preferences. Add more honey if you like it sweeter, or a little more soy sauce for extra umami. Fresh garlic and ginger will elevate the flavors even more.
3. **Add Veggies**: Toss in some vegetables (like bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli) during the last hour of cooking to make it a one-pot meal. You can also serve the chicken with sautéed or steamed vegetables on the side.
4. **Make It Spicy**: Add a few chili flakes or a sliced jalapeño to the marinade if you want to give your dish some heat. A dash of hot sauce also works wonders!
5. **For Extra Crispy Chicken**: If you prefer crispy edges, after the chicken is cooked and shredded, you can transfer it to a baking sheet and broil it for 3-5 minutes to crisp it up. This step is optional but adds a nice texture contrast.

### Serving Ideas

Slow Cooker Honey Soy Chicken is versatile and can be paired with a wide range of sides to create a complete meal. Here are a few ideas for what to serve alongside it:

– **Rice**: Steamed white rice, brown rice, or jasmine rice are all great choices. The fluffy rice soaks up the sweet and savory sauce beautifully.
– **Noodles**: Serve the chicken over a bed of rice noodles, soba noodles, or even pasta for an Asian-inspired twist.
– **Vegetables**: Stir-fry or steam some broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers for a healthy, crunchy contrast to the tender chicken.
– **Coleslaw**: A light, tangy slaw pairs perfectly with the sweet and savory chicken, adding some crunch and freshness to the meal.
– **Salad**: A simple cucumber and avocado salad can balance the richness of the dish.

### Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. **Set it and Forget It**: The slow cooker does all the work for you, so you can go about your day while the chicken cooks to perfection.
2. **Flavorful and Balanced**: The sweet honey and salty soy sauce create a perfectly balanced sauce that’s both comforting and exciting to the taste buds.
3. **Versatile**: It’s easy to tweak the ingredients and flavors to suit your preferences, whether you like it sweeter, tangier, or spicier.
4. **Great for Meal Prep**: This recipe makes a lot, so it’s perfect for meal prepping. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, making it a great option for lunches or quick dinners.
5. **Kid-Friendly**: The sweet flavor of the sauce is a hit with kids, making this an ideal dinner for the whole family.

### Conclusion

Slow Cooker Honey Soy Chicken is the ultimate comfort food—easy to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for busy nights. The combination of honey and soy sauce creates a rich, savory-sweet glaze that coats the chicken perfectly, resulting in tender, juicy meat that’s full of flavor. Whether you’re serving it over rice, noodles, or veggies, this dish will quickly become a family favorite. Plus, with the slow cooker doing all the work, you’ll have more time to relax and enjoy your meal.

—

**Enjoy your Slow Cooker Honey Soy Chicken—tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor!**