Sticky Asian Crock Pot Chicken Thighs

A Flavor-Packed Easy Dinner! 🍗

If you’re looking for a delicious, sticky, and flavorful chicken dish that’s effortless to make, these Sticky Asian Crock Pot Chicken Thighs are a must-try! With a sweet, savory, and slightly tangy glaze, this dish is perfect for serving over rice, quinoa, or even noodles.

The slow cooker does all the work, making this a stress-free weeknight meal. And don’t worry about them drying out—if you need to leave them cooking all day while you’re at work, they’ll stay moist and become even more tender. I put mine in before work and let them cook on low all day, and the result is fall-apart, juicy chicken coated in a sticky, caramelized sauce.

For a complete meal, I love pairing this dish with my favorite Asian cucumber salad, which adds a refreshing, crunchy contrast to the sticky, saucy chicken!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Hands-Off Cooking – The slow cooker does all the work!✔ Sticky, Sweet & Savory – A perfectly balanced sauce with soy, honey, and ginger.✔ Great for Meal Prep – Leftovers taste even better the next day.✔ Foolproof – Won’t Dry Out! – Even if you cook it all day, it stays juicy and tender.✔ Pairs Well with Everything – Serve over brown rice, quinoa, or even stir-fried veggies.

The Recipe: Sticky Asian Crock Pot Chicken Thighs

Ingredients:

• 4 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

• 1 ½ cups low-sodium soy sauce

• ¾ cup rice vinegar

• ¾ cup honey

• 6 tablespoons brown sugar

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 3 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced

• 6 tablespoons water

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch

• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil (adds depth & richness!)

• 1-2 cups of Chunked, fresh or canned pineapple (optional)

• Toasted sesame seeds & chopped green onions, for serving

📌 Optional Add-Ins:

• Sriracha or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick 🌶

• Orange zest for a citrusy twist 🍊

• Mushrooms or bell peppers for added veggies 🥦

Instructions

1. Sear the Chicken (Optional but Recommended!)

• If your crock pot has a sear function, heat it up and sear the chicken thighs for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown.

• If your slow cooker doesn’t have a sear function, you can sear them in a skillet over medium-high heat with a little sesame oil before transferring them to the slow cooker.

📌 Pro Tip: Searing locks in juices and adds an extra layer of flavor!

2. Make the Sauce

• In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.

• Pour the sauce over the chicken in the crock pot.

3. Slow Cook the Chicken

• Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shredded.

📌 Pro Tip: Cooking on low all day while you’re at work? No problem! The chicken will stay moist, tender, and flavorful—slow cooking for longer makes it even better!

4. Thicken the Sauce

• In a small bowl, mix water and cornstarch until smooth.

• Stir the cornstarch slurry into the sauce, cover, and cook for an additional 15–20 minutes until the sauce thickens into a glossy, sticky glaze.

5. Serve & Enjoy!

• Serve the sticky chicken over brown rice, quinoa, or steamed veggies.

• Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for extra flavor.

📌 Bonus Side Dish: This dish pairs perfectly with my favorite Asian cucumber salad—a crisp, tangy side that balances out the richness of the chicken!

How to Store & Meal Prep

🥡 Make Ahead: The sauce can be made in advance and stored in the fridge. To Reheat: Warm leftovers in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce.❄️ To Freeze: Freeze cooked chicken and sauce in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

📌 Pro Tip: Make a double batch and freeze half for an easy dinner down the road!

Why This Slow Cooker Chicken Is a Must-Try

This Sticky Asian Crock Pot Chicken is the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy, and the slow cooker makes it so easy. Whether you’re meal prepping, feeding a crowd, or just want a delicious, foolproof dinner, this recipe is a winner!

If you try this, tag me on Instagram @Weeknight_Homemaker—I’d love to see your sticky chicken creations!

Happy cooking!

Lauren 💕