Honey Garlic Chicken Rice (Print view)

Sweet honey garlic chicken served over fluffy rice for an easy, flavorful main dish that pleases any palate.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Protein

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

→ Sauce

02 - 1/3 cup honey
03 - 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
04 - 1/4 cup ketchup
05 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)

→ Slurry

10 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
11 - 2 tablespoons water

→ Rice

12 - 1 1/2 cups jasmine or basmati rice
13 - 3 cups water
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Garnish

15 - 2 green onions, sliced
16 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - In a mixing bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, rice vinegar, grated ginger, black pepper, and chili flakes if desired. Whisk until thoroughly blended.
02 - Lay chicken thighs in the base of the crockpot. Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken.
03 - Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6–7 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
04 - About 30 minutes before serving, rinse rice under cold water. Combine rice, water, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Let stand covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
05 - When chicken is cooked, transfer thighs to a plate. In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth. Stir slurry into the crockpot sauce.
06 - Return chicken thighs to the crockpot and cook on high for 10–15 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken.
07 - Plate the chicken and pour sauce over rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds as desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The chicken turns juicy and tender without fuss—almost like a secret shortcut to comfort food.
  • The effortless honey garlic sauce packs flavor that tastes like you spent hours, even though it's simple to whisk together.
02 -
  • If you skip rinsing the rice, it can get gummy and stick—I've done this enough times to remember now.
  • Adding the cornstarch slurry while the sauce is bubbling helps it thicken faster, and avoids any raw taste.
03 -
  • If you find the sauce too sweet, a splash more soy sauce balances it perfectly.
  • Shredding the chicken and mixing it into the rice makes for effortless next-day lunches.
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