Posted by Crockpot Chicken and Vegetables Recipe with Sweet Honey Garlic Sauce
When it comes to preparing hearty and wholesome meals, few things are as satisfying and simple as a crockpot dinner. This Crockpot Chicken and Vegetables recipe takes full advantage of the slow-cooking method, resulting in tender, juicy chicken and perfectly cooked vegetables—all infused with the rich, mouthwatering flavors of a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Whether you’re looking for a weeknight dinner, a family meal, or a dish to impress guests, this recipe delivers comfort, flavor, and ease.
What makes this dish truly special is the homemade honey garlic sauce that is drizzled over the chicken and vegetables as they cook, allowing all of the ingredients to soak up the rich, aromatic flavors. The sauce is a perfect balance of sweetness from the honey, savory umami from the soy sauce, and a hint of tang from the ketchup. Minced garlic and dried oregano round out the flavor profile, adding complexity without overpowering the dish.
In this recipe, you’ll find that chicken thighs are the star. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are the ideal choice for this dish, as they stay moist and flavorful while slowly cooking in the crockpot. Pairing the chicken with a combination of fresh vegetables such as baby red potatoes, carrots, onions, and green beans creates a well-rounded, nutritious meal in one pot.
Additionally, the optional cornstarch slurry helps to thicken the sauce just before serving, giving it a rich, glossy texture that coats the chicken and vegetables beautifully. Whether you choose to include this step or not, the result is a meal that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds and nourish your body.
Why Choose a Crockpot for This Recipe?
Crockpot cooking, also known as slow cooking, offers several advantages, especially for busy home cooks or those who prefer to spend less time in the kitchen. The slow cooker allows for hands-off cooking, meaning you can set everything in the crockpot in the morning, and come home to a fully prepared meal at the end of the day. The low, slow heat helps to break down tougher cuts of meat, resulting in tender, flavorful dishes without needing to spend a lot of time actively cooking.
Additionally, slow cooking helps to preserve the nutrients in vegetables, making them tender without losing their essential vitamins and minerals. By cooking everything in one pot, clean-up is also minimized, making it a convenient option for families, busy professionals, or anyone looking for a no-fuss meal.
In this recipe, the chicken thighs release their natural juices during cooking, infusing the vegetables with rich flavors, and the honey garlic sauce ensures that every bite is packed with deliciousness. The result is a balanced, comforting dish that satisfies both the body and the soul.
The Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this Crockpot Chicken and Vegetables recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Honey Garlic Sauce:
- 1/3 cup honey – The natural sweetness of honey is a key component in balancing the savory soy sauce and tangy ketchup.
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced – Fresh garlic gives the sauce its signature depth of flavor.
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce – Low-sodium soy sauce ensures that the dish doesn’t become overly salty, giving the other flavors a chance to shine.
- 1/4 cup ketchup – Ketchup adds a slight tang and sweetness to the sauce, blending perfectly with the other ingredients.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano – A subtle herb that brings an earthy, aromatic note to the sauce.
Crockpot Chicken and Vegetables:
- 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs – This cut of chicken is juicy and flavorful, making it perfect for slow cooking.
- 1 pound baby red potatoes – Red potatoes hold up well in the slow cooker, becoming tender but not mushy.
- 1 pound carrots, peeled – Carrots add sweetness and color to the dish.
- 1 cup onions, chopped – Onions provide an aromatic base, enhancing the flavors of the other ingredients.
- 1 pound green beans, trimmed – Fresh green beans add a lovely crunch and vibrant color to the dish.
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional) – A fresh garnish to add a burst of color and flavor before serving.
- Salt and pepper to taste – To season the dish and bring all the flavors together.
Optional Cornstarch Slurry:
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch – This is used to thicken the sauce and give it a rich, glossy texture.
- 3 teaspoons water – Mixed with the cornstarch to form a slurry that will help thicken the sauce.
How to Make This Delicious Crockpot Chicken and Vegetables
Making this dish is incredibly easy and can be broken down into simple steps. Here’s a breakdown of the process, from preparing the honey garlic sauce to slow-cooking the chicken and vegetables to perfection.
Step 1: Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce
Start by whisking together the honey, minced garlic, low-sodium soy sauce, ketchup, and dried oregano in a small bowl. This sauce will become the flavorful base that coats the chicken and vegetables, so it’s important to make sure the ingredients are well-combined. Set the sauce aside for now, as you will pour it over the chicken and vegetables later.
Step 2: Add the Chicken and Vegetables to the Crockpot
Next, add the chicken thighs to the slow cooker. The bone-in, skin-on chicken will provide maximum flavor and moisture as it cooks. Then, add the baby red potatoes, peeled carrots, and chopped onions to the crockpot. These vegetables will soften and cook in the flavorful sauce, absorbing all of its savory goodness.
Step 3: Pour the Honey Garlic Sauce Over the Ingredients
Once the chicken and vegetables are in the crockpot, pour the prepared honey garlic sauce evenly over the top. Make sure that the sauce covers all the ingredients. The sauce will infuse the chicken and vegetables with flavor as they cook.
Step 4: Slow Cook the Dish
Cover the crockpot with its lid and set the temperature to low. Cook the dish for 6-8 hours on low, or high for 3-3.5 hours, depending on your preference and the size of the chicken thighs. The chicken will become tender and juicy, while the vegetables will soften and cook through.
Tip: Due to variations in crockpot brands, it’s always a good idea to check the doneness of your food at the lower end of the cooking range.
Step 5: Add Green Beans and Optional Cornstarch Slurry
About 20 minutes before serving, add the fresh green beans to the crockpot. This will allow the beans to cook through without becoming too soft or mushy. If you want a thicker sauce, this is also the time to add the optional cornstarch slurry. Mix the cornstarch with a few teaspoons of water to create a smooth mixture, then stir it into the sauce. The sauce will thicken as it continues to cook.
Step 6: Final Cooking and Serving
Cover the crockpot again and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the green beans are tender and the sauce has thickened. Once done, remove the chicken thighs and vegetables using a slotted spoon and place them on serving plates.
Optional Step: For a crispy finish, you can broil the chicken thighs for 2-3 minutes to brown the skin. This will give them a deliciously crispy texture.
Drizzle the thickened sauce over the chicken and vegetables, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley for an added burst of color and flavor. Serve this comforting dish warm, alongside steamed rice or your favorite side.
Honey Garlic Chicken with Vegetables Recipe:
Ingredients:
- Honey Garlic Sauce:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Crockpot Chicken and Vegetables:
- 2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 lb baby red potatoes
- 1 lb carrots, peeled
- 1 cup onions, chopped
- 1 lb green beans, trimmed
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional Cornstarch Slurry:
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 3 tsp water
Instructions:
- Prepare the sauce: Whisk honey, garlic, soy sauce, ketchup, and oregano in a small bowl.
- Assemble the crockpot: Add chicken, potatoes, carrots, and onions to the slow cooker. Pour sauce over ingredients.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-3.5 hours.
- Add green beans: 20 minutes before serving, add green beans and optional cornstarch slurry.
- Finish cooking: Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens and beans are tender.
- Serve: Remove chicken and vegetables. Optionally broil chicken for a crispy finish. Drizzle sauce over and garnish with parsley. Serve warm.
Enjoy your savory, sweet, and satisfying honey garlic chicken and vegetables!
