Slow Cooker Honey-Garlic Pulled Chicken
Tender shredded chicken in a sticky honey-garlic sauce, slow-cooked to perfection for easy sandwiches or bowls. This asian-inspired chicken (gluten free) ready in about 370 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, honey, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 sliced for garnish green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts in the slow cooker. In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Pour sauce over the chicken.
- Step 2: Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours until chicken is tender and easily shredded.
- Step 3: Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred with two forks. Mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water until smooth, then stir the slurry into the slow cooker liquid. Turn slow cooker to high and cook sauce for 10 minutes until thickened.
- Step 4: Return shredded chicken to the sauce and stir to combine. Garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Honey-Garlic Pulled Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 370 minutes (10 min prep + 360 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow Cooker Honey-Garlic Pulled Chicken?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep honey from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Honey-Garlic Pulled Chicken?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow Cooker Honey-Garlic Pulled Chicken for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Slow Cooker Honey-Garlic Pulled Chicken gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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