If you’re looking for a comforting, flavorful meal that practically cooks itself, let me introduce you to the Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies Recipe. This dish brings together tender chicken breasts, sweet baby carrots, and hearty red potatoes all bathed in a luscious honey garlic sauce that strikes the perfect balance between sweet, savory, and just a hint of spice. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, releasing deep layers of flavor and perfectly tender textures by the time you sit down to eat. It’s a true weeknight winner with minimal prep and maximum heartiness—trust me, this is one recipe you’ll want to keep returning to.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for simple, wholesome ingredients that each play an essential role in building flavor, color, and texture. The fresh veggies add vibrant color and earthiness, the chicken provides lean protein, and the honey garlic sauce ties everything together with warmth and brightness.
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The lean protein base that stays juicy and tender when slow-cooked.
- 1 pound baby red potatoes, quartered: Small potatoes roast beautifully and absorb the sauce while maintaining their shape.
- 1 pound baby carrots: Naturally sweet and perfectly sized to cook evenly alongside the chicken.
- 1/3 cup honey: Adds natural sweetness and contributes to that irresistible glaze.
- 1/3 cup soy sauce: Brings savory depth and umami that balances the honey.
- 1/4 cup ketchup: Gives tanginess and a subtle tomato richness to the sauce.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: Fresh garlic amps up the aromatic punch and essential garlic flavor.
- 1 teaspoon dried basil: Adds a gentle herbaceous note to the sauce.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano: Rounds out the herbs with a slightly peppery, fragrant touch.
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes: Just enough heat to keep things interesting without overpowering.
- Salt and pepper to taste: To season and bring all flavors into perfect balance.
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional): For a bright, fresh garnish that lifts the entire dish.
How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies Recipe
Step 1: Arrange the Chicken
Start by placing the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into the bottom of your slow cooker. This creates a perfect bed for your veggies and allows the chicken to soak up all the delicious honey garlic flavors from the sauce as it cooks.
Step 2: Add the Veggies
Next, tuck the quartered baby red potatoes and the baby carrots around the chicken. These veggies will cook right alongside the chicken, absorbing the savory sauce while turning tender and flavorful.
Step 3: Whisk Together the Sauce
In a medium bowl, whip up the magic sauce: combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, dried basil, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Whisk well until everything is beautifully blended into a glossy, aromatic sauce that will make your mouth water.
Step 4: Pour the Sauce Over
Pour that heavenly honey garlic sauce over the chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker, making sure everything gets nicely coated for maximum flavor infusion.
Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover your slow cooker and cook everything on low heat for 6 to 8 hours. The slow, gentle cooking melts the flavors together, tenderizes the meat to juicy perfection, and makes the veggies melt-in-your-mouth soft.
Step 6: Serve with a Garnish
When the cooking is done, transfer your chicken and veggies to a serving platter and if you like, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. This simple garnish adds a pop of color and freshness that’s just the finishing touch this dish deserves.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies Recipe
Garnishes
Adding some freshly chopped parsley at the end not only brightens the presentation but adds a fresh, herbal counterpoint to the rich honey garlic sauce. You can also sprinkle a few sesame seeds for a subtle nutty crunch and extra visual appeal.
Side Dishes
This dish is quite complete on its own, but if you want to round out your meal, steamed green beans or a simple crisp salad offer a wonderful contrast in texture and help keep the meal light and balanced. A side of fluffy rice or warm crusty bread is perfect if you want to soak up every drop of that delicious sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies Recipe in individual ramekins layered with a bed of rice or quinoa. You can also shred the cooked chicken and toss it into wraps or sandwiches, making great use of any leftovers with a flavorful twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, place any leftover Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies Recipe in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days and keeps all the flavors packed just as well as the day it was made.
Freezing
This dish freezes beautifully, making it an excellent candidate for meal prep. Separate into portions in freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, warm leftovers gently in the microwave or heat in a covered skillet over medium heat to prevent drying out. Adding a splash of water or broth can help keep the chicken moist and the veggies tender during reheating.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken breasts in this recipe?
While it’s best to use thawed chicken breasts for even cooking, you can cook frozen chicken in the slow cooker; just add extra cooking time, usually about 1 to 2 hours longer, but make sure the chicken reaches a safe 165°F internally.
What if I don’t have baby carrots or baby potatoes?
No worries! You can use regular carrots chopped into similar sizes and any small potatoes, like Yukon gold or fingerlings, cut into quarters. Just aim for uniform pieces so they cook evenly alongside the chicken.
Is this recipe spicy? How can I adjust the heat?
The recipe has a mild warmth from the crushed red pepper flakes, but if you prefer it less spicy, simply reduce or omit the pepper flakes. For an extra kick, add more or toss in some fresh chopped chili peppers.
Can I double the recipe for a bigger crowd?
Absolutely! Just make sure your slow cooker is large enough to hold all the ingredients without overcrowding. You may also need to increase the cooking time slightly to ensure everything cooks through evenly.
What other vegetables would work well in this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies Recipe?
Brussels sprouts, green beans, or bell peppers are fantastic additions or swaps. Just consider their cooking times; add quicker-cooking veggies later in the process to avoid mushiness.
Final Thoughts
Nothing beats the ease and heartwarming flavors of the Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies Recipe for a cozy night in. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug after a busy day and yields enough leftovers to fuel you for days. Give it a try soon — I promise your slow cooker will thank you, and your family or friends will be asking for seconds.
Print
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 15m
- Cook Time: 6h 0m
- Total Time: 6h 15m
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies recipe is a flavorful, hands-off meal perfect for busy days. Tender chicken breasts are cooked with baby potatoes and carrots in a savory honey garlic sauce, creating a comforting dish that requires minimal prep and effortless slow cooking.
Ingredients
Chicken and Vegetables
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 pound baby red potatoes, quartered
- 1 pound baby carrots
Honey Garlic Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into the bottom of the slow cooker in a single layer.
- Add Vegetables: Arrange the quartered baby red potatoes and baby carrots evenly around and on top of the chicken breasts.
- Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, dried basil, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper until the ingredients are fully combined into a smooth sauce.
- Pour Sauce Over Ingredients: Carefully pour the honey garlic sauce over the chicken and vegetables inside the slow cooker, ensuring everything is well coated.
- Cook Slowly: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F and the vegetables should become tender.
- Serve: When finished cooking, transfer the chicken and vegetables onto a serving platter.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Optionally, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish for a burst of color and fresh flavor before serving.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh herbs if available instead of dried.
- You can substitute baby yellow potatoes or fingerlings for red potatoes.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to control the heat level.
- Make sure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- This dish can be doubled if your slow cooker is large enough.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days.
