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Slow Cooker Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 63 reviews

This Slow Cooker Hot Honey Chicken recipe combines tender, juicy chicken thighs with a perfectly balanced spicy and sweet sauce. Slow-cooked to perfection and tossed in a thickened hot honey glaze, it’s an easy and flavorful dish ideal for an effortless weeknight dinner or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 6 to 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Spices

  • 2 to 3 teaspoons cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Sauce

  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon cold water (for cornstarch slurry)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken and seasoning: Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a lightly greased 6-quart slow cooker. Evenly sprinkle the cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt all over the chicken to ensure a flavorful base.
  2. Add sauce ingredients: Drizzle ketchup and honey over the seasoned chicken pieces. This combination will create a sweet and spicy glaze as it cooks.
  3. Slow cook the chicken: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the LOW setting for 4 to 6 hours. This slow cooking process will make the chicken extremely tender and infused with all the spices and honey flavors.
  4. Make the thickened sauce: Once cooking is finished, carefully pour all the cooking liquid into a saucepan. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry. Add this slurry to the saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and stir frequently until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
  5. Shred the chicken and combine: Use two forks to shred the cooked chicken inside the slow cooker. Pour the thickened hot honey sauce back over the shredded chicken and gently stir to coat everything evenly. Serve warm.

Notes

  • For less heat, reduce the amount of cayenne pepper or omit it entirely.
  • Use chicken breasts instead of thighs if preferred, but cooking time may vary.
  • The sauce can be thickened to your liking by adjusting the amount of cornstarch slurry.
  • This dish pairs well with rice, quinoa, or steamed vegetables.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, hot honey chicken, spicy honey chicken, easy slow cooker recipes, chicken thighs recipe

Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/slow-cooker-hot-honey-chicken-recipe/