Description
This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies recipe offers a delicious, hands-off way to enjoy tender chicken thighs cooked in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce with fresh vegetables. Packed with vibrant carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli, this comforting dish is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or meal prep, providing balanced flavors and wholesome nutrition.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables
- 1 cup carrots, sliced
- 1 cup bell peppers, chopped
- 1 cup broccoli florets
Garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to create a flavorful marinade base.
- Coat the chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs into the slow cooker and pour the prepared marinade over them, making sure each piece is well-coated for maximum flavor absorption.
- Add the vegetables: Distribute the sliced carrots, chopped bell peppers, and broccoli florets around and on top of the chicken in the slow cooker, layering the veggies evenly.
- Cook on low: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on low for 6 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and fully cooked, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Shred and mix: Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker, then stir together the shredded chicken and cooked vegetables to combine flavors.
- Serve and garnish: Plate the warm chicken and veggies, topping with sliced green onions and optional sesame seeds for added texture and a nutty finish.
- Customize your veggies: Feel free to swap or add vegetables like zucchini or snap peas according to your preference to vary textures and flavors.
- Optional serving suggestion: For a more substantial meal, serve the honey garlic chicken and vegetables over cooked rice or quinoa to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Storage: Store leftover portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, reheating before serving to enjoy again.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts if preferred, but cooking time may vary slightly.
- Adjust the sweetness and saltiness by modifying the honey and soy sauce quantities to taste.
- Ensure the internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- For a low sodium version, use low sodium soy sauce and reduce added salt.
- Adding additional vegetables like snap peas or zucchini can enhance the nutritional profile and flavor variety.
- Leftovers can also be used as filling for wraps or added to salads for a quick meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/5th of recipe)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, honey garlic chicken, chicken and veggies, easy dinner, healthy chicken recipe, crockpot chicken, slow cooker meals
