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Tender Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe Easy Perfect Dinner

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A simple and forgiving slow cooker recipe for juicy, tender chicken thighs glazed with a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, paired perfectly with creamy mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1/4 cup honey (85 grams)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (60 ml), preferably low-sodium
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (30 ml)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (120 ml)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (15 ml), for browning (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (1 gram)
  • Salt to taste
  • 4 tablespoons butter (60 grams), for mashed potatoes
  • 2 pounds potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet)
  • 1/2 cup milk (120 ml), whole milk or cream preferred

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken thighs skin-side down until golden and crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Flip and cook another 2-3 minutes. (Optional but recommended)
  3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and chicken broth until well combined.
  4. Place browned chicken thighs in the slow cooker, skin-side up. Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the chicken.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours until chicken is tender and pulls apart easily.
  6. Peel and chop potatoes into even chunks. Place in a large pot, cover with cold water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Cook until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes.
  7. Drain potatoes well. Return to pot or bowl, add butter and warm milk, and mash until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. If desired, remove chicken from slow cooker and transfer sauce to a saucepan. Simmer on medium heat until reduced and glossy, stirring occasionally to thicken.
  9. Serve chicken thighs over mashed potatoes, drizzling with the sticky honey garlic sauce.

Notes

Browning the chicken skin before slow cooking adds great texture and flavor but can be skipped for convenience. To thicken the sauce, simmer it on the stove or use a cornstarch slurry. Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for best moisture and texture. Adjust soy sauce to low-sodium to control saltiness. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Fresh garlic is preferred over garlic powder for best flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, honey garlic chicken, easy dinner, chicken thighs, comfort food, mashed potatoes, slow cooker recipe

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/tender-slow-cooker-honey-garlic-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-perfect-dinner/