Craving comfort food? Here’s a simple recipe to satisfy your taste buds:

Ingredients:

Honey Garlic Sauce

1/3 cup honey
1 tbsp garlic, minced
1/2 cup soy sauce, low sodium
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tsp dried oregano

Crockpot Chicken and Vegetables

2 pounds chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
1 pound baby red potatoes
1 pound carrots, peeled
1 cup onions, chopped
1 pound green beans, trimmed
fresh parsley, chopped, for serving optional
salt and pepper to taste
Cornstarch Slurry (Optional)
2 tsp cornstarch
3 tsp water

Instructions:

Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, garlic, soy sauce, oregano and ketchup.

Step 2: Add the chicken thighs, potatoes, carrots and onions to a 4-6 quart slow cooker. Pour the honey garlic sauce mixture evenly on top.

Step 3: Cover the slow cooker and seal the lid. Cook on a LOW setting for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-3 1/2 hours.

Step 4: About 20 minutes before serving, add the green beans to the slow cooker and optional cornstarch slurry to the sauce.
Re-seal the lid and cook for 15-20 minutes more until the green beans are tender and the sauce is starting to thicken.

Step 5: Remove the chicken and vegetables to serving plates using a slotted spoon. Optional: Broil the chicken thighs for 2-3 minutes to brown the skin.

Step 6: Drizzle sauce on top of chicken and vegetables. Garnish with optional minced parsley.

Tips:

Chicken Selection: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts for this recipe. Thighs tend to stay more tender and moist, but both work well.

Browning the Chicken: While it’s optional, browning the chicken in a hot skillet before adding it to the slow cooker can enhance the dish’s flavor. It seals in the juices and adds a nice caramelized layer.

Honey-Garlic Sauce: Adjust the sweetness and saltiness of the sauce to your preference. Add more or less honey and soy sauce to balance the flavors.

Minced Garlic: Fresh minced garlic provides the best flavor, but you can use garlic powder or pre-minced garlic as a time-saving alternative.

Vegetables: Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas to the slow cooker for extra texture and nutrition.

Thickening the Sauce: If you want a thicker sauce, you can make a slurry by mixing a tablespoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water. Stir it into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Serving: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken pairs well with rice, quinoa, or noodles. You can also serve it over a bed of steamed vegetables.

FAQs:

1. Can I Use Frozen Chicken?

It’s best to use thawed chicken for food safety reasons. Cooking frozen chicken in a slow cooker can result in uneven cooking and potential food safety concerns.

2. How to Store Leftovers?

Refrigerate any leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container. Consume it within a few days.

3. Can I Make It Ahead of Time?

This dish is perfect for making ahead. You can prepare the sauce and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to cook, just add the sauce and chicken to the slow cooker.