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Easy Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe with Pineapple for Perfect Dinner

slow cooker honey garlic chicken thighs - featured image
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A fuss-free slow cooker recipe combining sweet honey, savory garlic, and tropical pineapple to create tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken thighs perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/3 cup honey (raw or regular)
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 can (8 oz) pineapple slices with juice
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger (optional)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Sliced green onions for garnish
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for sauce thickening)
  • 2 tablespoons cold water (for cornstarch slurry)

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels to help crisp the skin if searing.
  2. Optional: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs skin side down for 3-4 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook another 2 minutes.
  3. In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes if using.
  4. Place chicken thighs in the slow cooker, skin side up if seared. Pour sauce evenly over the chicken. Add pineapple slices with juice, spreading around the chicken.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours, until chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  6. Optional: Remove chicken and pineapple to a serving dish. Pour slow cooker juices into a saucepan. Mix cornstarch with cold water and whisk into the pan. Heat over medium, stirring until sauce thickens, about 3 minutes. Pour sauce over chicken.
  7. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve with rice or steamed vegetables.

Notes

Searing chicken before slow cooking adds flavor and crispier skin but can be skipped for convenience. Use canned pineapple with juice to tenderize the meat and add sweetness. Avoid lifting the slow cooker lid during cooking to maintain temperature. Adjust cooking time if using an oven or Instant Pot. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari. For vegan adaptation, replace chicken with tofu or seitan and honey with agave syrup.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, honey garlic chicken, pineapple chicken, easy dinner, weeknight meal, slow cooker recipe, chicken thighs, sweet and savory

Find it online: https://cravemila.com/easy-slow-cooker-honey-garlic-chicken-thighs-recipe-with-pineapple-for-perfect-dinner/