Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken & Noodles
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken & Noodles is a comforting and flavor-packed dish combining tender slow-cooked chicken thighs with a sticky-sweet honey garlic sauce and soft egg noodles. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners, this hands-off recipe delivers a satisfying, family-friendly meal with minimal prep and maximum taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours (low) or 2 to 3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes (low) or 2 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Dairy-Free (can be gluten-free if gluten-free noodles used)
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 4 to 6 chicken thighs (bone-in recommended for extra flavor)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (use reduced-sodium for low-sodium option)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (low-sodium if preferred)
Noodles and Thickener
- 8 oz egg noodles (or gluten-free noodles as variation)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water (to make cornstarch slurry)
Garnishes
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Optional: chopped parsley, sesame seeds, red pepper flakes or sriracha (for spicy variation)
Optional Add-ins
- Mushrooms, bell peppers, snap peas (for added vegetables)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken and sauce: Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker. In a bowl, whisk together honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, and chicken broth until well combined. Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated.
- Slow cook the chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and shreds easily with a fork.
- Shred the chicken: Carefully remove the cooked chicken thighs and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it back into the sauce to enhance flavor absorption.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry. Gradually add the slurry to the slow cooker while stirring. Continue cooking on high for 10 to 15 minutes until the sauce thickens to a glossy, clingy consistency.
- Cook the noodles: Meanwhile, prepare the egg noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and add the noodles directly into the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine noodles evenly with the chicken and sauce.
- Serve: Sprinkle sliced green onions or chopped parsley on top before serving. For a fun twist, add sesame seeds or drizzle extra honey garlic sauce. Let the dish rest covered for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
Notes
- Use bone-in chicken thighs for extra moist and flavorful results.
- Do not overcook noodles; cook separately and add last to avoid mushiness.
- Freshly minced garlic greatly enhances flavor compared to pre-minced or powdered garlic.
- Add cornstarch slurry near the end to thicken the sauce perfectly.
- Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving to deepen flavors.
- To make a low-sodium version, substitute reduced-sodium soy sauce and chicken broth.
- For gluten-free diets, swap egg noodles for rice noodles or gluten-free pasta.
- You can prepare the honey garlic sauce up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate until ready to use.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, honey garlic chicken, chicken and noodles, easy dinner, comfort food, slow cooker recipe, family meal, crockpot chicken