Introduction
This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken is an easy Crockpot dinner made with tender chicken breasts cooked in a sweet, savory, slightly spicy honey-garlic sauce with soy sauce and sesame.
As the chicken slowly cooks, it absorbs all of the rich flavor from the sauce. The result is juicy chicken coated in a glossy glaze that is perfect over rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables.
It is a simple family dinner with very little hands-on preparation, making it ideal for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Why This Recipe Is Popular
Honey garlic chicken is popular because it balances several flavors at once. Honey adds sweetness, soy sauce brings savory depth, garlic adds richness, and red pepper provides just enough heat.
The slow cooker makes the recipe especially easy. Once the chicken and sauce are added, most of the work is done.
The finished sauce can also be thickened at the end into a sticky glaze that coats every piece of chicken beautifully.
Recipe Information
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3–4 hours on LOW or 2–3 hours on HIGH
Total Time: About 4 hours
Servings: 6
Difficulty: Easy
Cooking Method: Slow Cooker / Crockpot
Main Ingredients
Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work well and absorb the sauce easily.
Honey: Gives the sauce its signature sweetness and glossy finish.
Soy sauce: Adds saltiness and deep umami flavor.
Garlic: Fresh garlic gives the dish plenty of savory flavor.
Sesame seeds: Add a light nutty taste and attractive finish.
Red pepper flakes: Provide gentle heat that balances the sweetness.
Ingredients
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
⅓ cup honey
½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
¼ cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons cold water
2 green onions, sliced, optional
Extra sesame seeds for serving
Prepare the Chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
Arrange them in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
If the chicken breasts are extremely large, you can cut them into thick pieces so they cook more evenly.
Avoid stacking them too tightly if possible.
Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce
In a medium bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, red pepper flakes, sesame seeds, and black pepper.
Whisk until the honey and brown sugar are well incorporated.
Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken.
Turn the chicken slightly so some of the sauce reaches underneath.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
Pour the honey garlic sesame sauce over the top.
Cover with the lid.
Cook on LOW for approximately 3–4 hours or on HIGH for 2–3 hours.
Begin checking the chicken toward the earlier end of the cooking time.
The chicken is safely cooked when the thickest section reaches 165°F (74°C).
Carefully transfer the cooked chicken to a plate.
You can leave the breasts whole, slice them, or shred them into large pieces.
Thicken the Sauce
Leave the cooking liquid in the slow cooker.
In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and cold water.
Whisk until completely smooth.
Stir the slurry into the hot sauce.
Turn the slow cooker to HIGH.
Cook for another 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce becomes thicker and glossy.
Return the chicken to the Crockpot.
Spoon the sticky honey garlic sauce generously over the meat.
Sprinkle with additional sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving.
Tips for Best Results
Use low-sodium soy sauce so the finished dish does not become overly salty.
Do not overcook chicken breasts. They are lean and can dry out if left in the Crockpot all day.
Add the cornstarch only near the end.
If you prefer a thicker glaze, use a little more cornstarch slurry.
For extra heat, increase the red pepper flakes or add sriracha.
For more sesame flavor, drizzle a small amount of sesame oil over the finished chicken rather than adding too much at the beginning.
Flavor Variations
For Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken, add sriracha or chili garlic sauce.
For Orange Honey Chicken, add fresh orange juice and orange zest.
For Ginger Sesame Chicken, double the fresh ginger.
For Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs, replace the chicken breasts with boneless, skinless thighs.
For a sweeter version, add another tablespoon of honey.
For extra savory flavor, add a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce.
How to Serve
Serve the chicken over hot white rice and spoon plenty of sauce over the top.
It also pairs beautifully with jasmine rice, brown rice, fried rice, or noodles.
Good vegetable sides include broccoli, green beans, snap peas, carrots, or stir-fried vegetables.
For an easy bowl-style dinner, combine rice, sliced honey garlic chicken, steamed broccoli, sesame seeds, and green onions.
Meal Prep and Storage
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to airtight containers.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Keep some of the sauce with the chicken so it stays moist.
Reheat gently in the microwave or a covered skillet.
If the sauce becomes too thick after refrigeration, add a small splash of water or chicken broth.
This recipe also works very well for meal-prep rice bowls.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not use full-sodium soy sauce without reducing the amount.
Avoid cooking chicken breasts for much longer than necessary.
Do not add dry cornstarch directly to the slow cooker.
Avoid making the sauce too sweet before tasting it.
Do not add excessive sesame oil because its flavor can become overpowering.
Finally, always check that the chicken reaches 165°F internally before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Yes. Boneless chicken thighs work very well and generally stay even juicier during slow cooking.
Can I make this less spicy?
Yes. Reduce or completely omit the red pepper flakes.
Can I make the sauce thicker?
Yes. Add a cornstarch-and-cold-water slurry near the end of cooking.
Can I use regular soy sauce?
Yes, but you may want to reduce the quantity slightly because regular soy sauce contains more sodium.
Can I add vegetables to the slow cooker?
You can, although quick-cooking vegetables like broccoli are best added near the end so they do not become too soft.
Can I shred the chicken?
Absolutely. Shred the cooked chicken and stir it back into the thickened sauce.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken is a simple Crockpot dinner with tender chicken and a glossy sweet-and-savory sauce full of garlic, sesame, and just a touch of heat.
For the best result, cook the chicken only until tender, thicken the sauce at the end, and serve it over rice with extra sesame seeds and green onions.