Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies
Dinner's sorted! This slow cooker honey garlic chicken is one of the best simple crock pot recipes around. Set it and forget it deliciousness – even with frozen hashbrowns! Get the recipe!
Recipe Introduction
Quick Hook
Fancy a stress-free, flavour-packed dinner? ever find yourself thinking "oh my gosh, what are we having for dinner?". well, these simple crock pot recipes are the answer! this slow cooker honey garlic chicken and veggies is a guaranteed winner.
The sweet and savoury honey garlic sauce is proper lush!
Brief Overview
This recipe is inspired by classic asian-american takeout. it's a healthier, homemade version. this dish originates from western culture. this crockpot meal with hashbrowns alternative only takes 15 minutes to prep.
It requires 4- 6 hours on low, or 2- 3 hours on high. it yields 6 servings.
Main Benefits
One of the best things about this recipe is its high protein content, great for keeping you full. it is perfect for a weeknight dinner, or even a casual fall supper ideas easy .
What makes this recipe special is how easy it is. just chop, dump, and forget!
Seriously, I've made this when I've been absolutely knackered. It’s that easy! And honestly, the smell that fills your kitchen while it cooks? Divine!
Ready to ditch the takeaway and embrace the slow cooker magic? let's talk ingredients! this could easily become one of your go-to cheap easy dinners crockpot .
I sometimes use frozen veg if i'm really short on time. don't tell anyone!
This crockpot meals with frozen hashbrowns alternative is proper good, you won't regret it. even my picky eaters love it! make sure you have a big enough 4 quart crockpot recipes for this one.
Right then, let's dive into what you'll need for this belter of a Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies recipe! We're keeping it proper simple, yeah?
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies Recipe Card
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Ingredients Deconstructed: Gear Up for Goodness
Main Ingredients Rundown
Okay, listen up! Here’s what you need, measured like a pro:
- 2 lbs (900g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Quality indicator: Look for plump, pink, and not too watery. That's the good stuff.
- 1 large onion, chopped (that's about 1 cup, innit?).
- 2 bell peppers (any colour, get creative!), chopped (roughly 2 cups).
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped (around 1 cup).
- 2 cups (225g) broccoli florets.
- 1 teaspoon salt.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper.
These are your heroes for the night! Get 'em ready.
Sauce Sorcery: Seasoning Notes
Now for the magic sauce! Honestly, this is where the flavour bomb happens.
- ½ cup (120ml) low-sodium soy sauce or tamari. If you're going gluten-free, tamari's your mate.
- ¼ cup (80ml) honey. Sweet as you like, this.
- ¼ cup (60ml) rice vinegar. Adds that zingy tang.
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) sesame oil. Don't skip this! It's the proper nutty depth.
- 2 tablespoons ketchup. Yep, ketchup! Trust me.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon). The more, the merrier, I say.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder.
- 2 tablespoons cold water.
- Optional: Red pepper flakes. Go on, get spicy!
Quick Sub Tip: No rice vinegar? A squeeze of lemon will do in a pinch.
Equipment Essentials: Nothing Fancy, Promise!
Right, no need for a fancy kitchen. Just the basics:
A 6-quart (or bigger) slow cooker/crock pot. this is your star player for all the "crockpot meal with hashbrowns", "crockpot meals with frozen hashbrowns" and other "cheap easy dinners crockpot".
Remember, we are preparing "easy fall crockpot meals" here! a 4 quart crockpot recipes also works.
A cutting board and a chef's knife. Obvious, yeah?
A mixing bowl and a whisk. For the sauce wizardry.
Household Hack: Don't have a whisk? Two forks will do! I have been there! Remember that it is a quick crock pot meals easy recipes recipe.
Closing Thoughts: Let's Get Cooking!
So there you have it! the gear list to make some absolutely banging slow cooker honey garlic chicken and veggies.
This one is for a "dinner recipes for family fall", but "fall supper ideas easy" work too, so get cooking! no need to stress, even if you have to improvise a little.
That's the beauty of this: it's forgiving! even something that looks difficult such as a "2 hour crockpot recipes" looks possible now! honestly, the aroma alone is worth it.
Get prepped, get sauced, and get ready for a proper tasty meal! you've got this! now, where's me apron...?
Cooking Method: Lazy-Day Crock Pot Magic!
Right, let's talk about slow cooking. honestly, it's a lifesaver. forget slaving over a hot stove. this is all about chucking everything in and letting the magic happen.
We are going to look at the honey garlic chicken and veggies. this recipe showcases the cooking method brilliantly!
Prep Steps: Get Your Ducks in a Row
Essential mise en place is key. chop your onion , peppers , carrots , and get your broccoli ready. trust me, doing this first saves so much time.
For this recipe, get 2 lbs (900g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat. it means less fuss later.
Organisation is key for simple crock pot recipes, and a smooth cooking experience.
Step-by-Step: Easy Does It
- Veg first: Pop the onion, peppers, carrots , and broccoli into your crock pot.
- Chicken time: Place the chicken thighs on top of the veggies. Season them with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper .
- Sauce it up: Whisk together ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce , ¼ cup honey , ¼ cup rice vinegar , 2 tablespoons sesame oil , 2 tablespoons ketchup , and 4 cloves minced garlic .
- Pour over: Drizzle that glorious sauce over the chicken and veggies.
- Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on low for 4- 6 hours , or on high for 2- 3 hours . The chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165° F ( 74° C) .
- Thickening magic: Want a thicker sauce? Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water . Stir this into the crock pot 30 minutes before the end.
- Serve with style: Shred the chicken and serve over rice, quinoa, or noodles.
This method is a great way to make cheap easy dinners crockpot style.
Pro Tips: Level Up Your Crock Pot Game
Don't overfill your crock pot. overcrowding leads to uneven cooking. my granny always said, "patience, my dear!". frequent peeking slows things down.
This method also allows for some great fall supper ideas easy to whip up.
Common mistake? using chicken breasts, this normally ends up dry. chicken thighs stay juicy! for crockpot meals with frozen hashbrowns , these can be added for extra texture, even though this recipe doesn't call for it! and remember you can find hundreds of 4 quart crockpot recipes .
Alright, let's dive deeper into this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken goodness!
Recipe Notes: The Nitty-Gritty
Honestly, sometimes the best part of a recipe is knowing all the little things that can make or break it. These notes are like my cheat sheet to success.
Serving Suggestions: Make it Look and Taste Amazing!
Presentation matters, doesn't it? plating-wise, think about vibrant colours. a bed of fluffy rice topped with the glistening chicken and veggies, sprinkled with sesame seeds and fresh green onions? boom! for sides, steamed rice or quinoa are classics.
I also love this with stir-fried noodles. a light, bright salad cuts through the richness nicely too. as for drinks, a crisp, dry white wine or even just some sparkling water with a lemon wedge would be perfect.
Storage Tips: Making it Last
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This keeps well. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing is also an option. just pop it in a freezer-safe container, and it'll be good for up to 2-3 months.
Thaw it overnight in the fridge. to reheat, microwave it, or warm it in a pan on the stovetop until heated through.
Just make sure the chicken is piping hot.
Variations: Making it Yours
Fancy a change? for a gluten-free version, just swap the soy sauce for tamari. done! and if you are looking for some cheap easy dinners crockpot style, you can swap out the chicken for a vegetable protein, like tofu.
This is a great way to have easy fall crockpot meals .
And speaking of fall, why not chuck in some butternut squash or sweet potatoes for a seasonal twist? it will be one of your favourite fall supper ideas easy .
Seriously, get creative!
Nutrition Basics: Goodness in Every Bite
Okay, not going to pretend i am a nutritionist. but, roughly, each serving clocks in around 350 calories, packs about 35g of protein, and 15g of fat.
Remember this is all aproximate. the protein from the chicken is great for muscle building and keeping you full. the veggies offer a boost of vitamins and fibre.
And that honey garlic sauce? well, it’s delicious! just keep an eye on the sodium – maybe use a low-sodium soy sauce if you are concerned.
You see there are Quick Crock Pot Meals Easy Recipes . This recipe could easily be adopted as one of your Dinner Recipes For Family Fall .
Remember, slow cooking is your friend! it's perfect for crockpot meal with hashbrowns or crockpot meals with frozen hashbrowns . many people think that the 4 quart crockpot recipes are difficult but are a lot simpler to prepare than you may think.
So go on, give it a whirl! With these notes in your pocket, you're practically guaranteed to create a 2 Hour Crockpot Recipes masterpiece.
![Crockpot Meal With Hashbrowns [kw]: Insanely Easy Dinner](https://hertaste.net/thumb/360p/crockpot-meal-with-hashbrowns-kw-insanely-easy-dinner-p.webp "Crockpot Meal With Hashbrowns [kw]: Insanely Easy Dinner : PIN FOR LATER")
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs in this simple crock pot recipes?
You can, but be mindful that chicken breasts tend to dry out more easily in the slow cooker than chicken thighs. If using chicken breasts, I'd recommend reducing the cooking time and checking for doneness earlier. Nobody wants a rubbery bit of bird, right? Chicken thighs are more forgiving and stay lovely and juicy.
How can I prevent my vegetables from getting too mushy in simple crock pot recipes like this?
To avoid mushy veggies, add them later in the cooking process, especially if you're cooking on high heat. For this recipe, consider adding the broccoli florets in the last hour of cooking. Also, cutting the vegetables into larger, more uniform pieces helps them retain their texture. Think chunky pub chips, not mushy peas!
My sauce isn't thickening; what can I do?
If your sauce is too thin, ensure you've whisked the cornstarch (or arrowroot powder) with cold water before adding it to the slow cooker. This prevents lumps. If it's still not thickening after 30 minutes, you can remove some of the sauce (about 1 cup), mix it with another tablespoon of cornstarch slurry, and then add it back to the slow cooker. Remember, patience is a virtue (especially when waiting for a sauce to thicken!).
How long can I store leftover Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to cool the chicken and veggies completely before refrigerating. This recipe reheats brilliantly, making it perfect for meal prepping - even better than that soggy sandwich you were planning! You can also freeze it for longer storage (up to 2-3 months), but the texture of the vegetables may change slightly upon thawing.
Is this recipe healthy? What are the nutritional considerations?
This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies can be a healthy option, especially if you control the ingredients. Using low-sodium soy sauce reduces the sodium content, and you can adjust the honey to reduce the sugar. Serve with quinoa or brown rice instead of white rice for added fiber. As with all things, moderation is key - even Mary Berry wouldn't scoff down the whole crock pot in one sitting!
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can chop the vegetables and mix the sauce ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. Then, in the morning, just dump everything into the slow cooker and set it to cook. This makes it even easier to enjoy a delicious, home-cooked meal on a busy weeknight. Consider it your secret weapon against those takeaway temptations!