If you are searching for a comforting yet flavorful dish that you can set and forget, look no further than this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe. It’s a joyful marriage of tender, slow-cooked chicken infused with a rich honey garlic sauce, paired perfectly with soft lo mein noodles. The sauce’s balance of sweet, savory, and a hint of heat creates an irresistible glaze that clings lovingly to every strand of noodle and bite of chicken. It’s cozy, satisfying, and a dish you’ll want to keep on your weekly rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe shines because of its simple yet powerful ingredients. Each plays a crucial role: the honey adds natural sweetness, the soy sauces deepen the umami, and fresh aromatics like garlic and ginger uplift the entire dish with fragrance and zing.
- â…“ cup honey: The essential sweetener that balances the savory elements and gives the sauce a beautiful glaze.
- ¼ cup lower-sodium soy sauce: Provides that classic salty, umami-rich foundation without overpowering the dish.
- 6 medium garlic cloves, minced: Fresh garlic brings pungent warmth and a burst of flavor.
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce: Adds deeper color and richer flavor, making the sauce irresistibly savory.
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce: Boosts umami with a subtle sweetness and complexity.
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha chili sauce: A touch of heat to awaken the taste buds.
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine: Adds depth and a mild aromatic note; dry sherry is a good substitute.
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger: Brightens the sauce with its fresh, peppery bite.
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil: A nutty finish that rounds out every component beautifully.
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt: Enhances and balances all the flavors.
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs: These stay juicy and tender during slow cooking.
- 2 tablespoons tap water: Used to activate the cornstarch for thickening the sauce.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch: Creates the perfect silky sauce texture by thickening the cooking liquids.
- 16 ounces fresh lo mein noodles: Cooked noodles soak up all the delicious sauce.
- 3 large scallions, thinly sliced: Adds freshness and crunch, both inside and as garnish.
- White sesame seeds: Optional garnish to add a little crunch and visual appeal.
How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe
Step 1: Combine Sauce Ingredients
Start by stirring together the honey, both soy sauces, minced garlic, oyster sauce, Sriracha, Shaoxing wine, grated ginger, toasted sesame oil, and salt in your slow cooker. This mixture is the heart of your dish, bursting with tons of flavor that will slowly infuse the chicken as it cooks.
Step 2: Add Chicken
Place the chicken thighs neatly in a single layer over the sauce. This ensures every piece is lovingly coated and slowly absorbs all the delicious flavors.
Step 3: Slow Cook the Chicken
Cover your slow cooker and set it to cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 5 hours. You’ll notice the chicken becoming incredibly tender and soaking up that luscious honey garlic sauce, making every bite melt in your mouth.
Step 4: Shred the Chicken
Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a cutting board and shred it with a fork. This step makes it easy for the chicken to mix evenly with the noodles and sauce later.
Step 5: Thicken the Sauce
Whisk together tap water and cornstarch in a small bowl to create a slurry. With the slow cooker on HIGH, stir this mixture into the sauce until it thickens slightly. This results in a glossy, clingy sauce that’s perfect for coating the noodles and chicken.
Step 6: Combine and Serve
Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker along with your cooked lo mein noodles and thinly sliced scallions. Toss everything gently so those noodles soak up all the beautiful sauce. Scoop into bowls and sprinkle with extra scallions and toasted sesame seeds for an inviting final touch.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a sprinkle of white sesame seeds and fresh scallions on top brings crunch, freshness, and a pop of color that make this dish even more inviting. A little extra drizzle of toasted sesame oil or a squeeze of lime juice can brighten the flavors further if you like.
Side Dishes
This recipe shines on its own, but if you want to round out your meal, light and fresh sides like steamed broccoli, sautéed bok choy, or a crisp cucumber salad pair beautifully with the rich honey garlic chicken noodles.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, pile the noodles high in a shallow bowl and make a little well in the center for the chicken and sauce to pool. Garnish with colorful veggies like shredded carrots or thin pepper strips to add texture and an extra layer of flavor. This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe also makes a crowd-pleasing buffet dish when served family-style with chopsticks or forks.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover chicken noodles in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen over time, making the next-day meal even more flavorful and comforting.
Freezing
This dish can be frozen, but to maintain the best texture, freeze the shredded chicken and sauce separately from the cooked noodles. Store in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop or microwave, stirring occasionally. If the sauce thickens too much when chilled, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up during reheating. Toss in fresh scallions again for brightness.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts work fine, but thighs tend to stay juicier and more tender during slow cooking, making them the preferred choice for this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe.
Do I have to use Shaoxing wine?
You can substitute Shaoxing wine with dry sherry or skip it entirely. It adds a lovely depth, but the dish will still be delicious without it.
Can I make this recipe spicy?
Yes! Simply increase the amount of Sriracha or add some chili flakes for extra heat. The balance of sweet and savory will still shine through.
What noodles work best with this recipe?
Fresh lo mein noodles are ideal, but you can also use egg noodles, spaghetti, or even rice noodles depending on your preference and availability.
Is it possible to make this gluten-free?
To make the recipe gluten-free, substitute soy sauce and oyster sauce with gluten-free versions. Also, make sure to use gluten-free noodles to keep it safe and delicious.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug on a plate. It’s incredibly easy to prepare, yet delivers impressive flavor that your whole family will rave about. I encourage you to give it a try—you’ll have a new go-to dinner that’s comforting, tasty, and wonderfully effortless to make.
Print
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
This Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Noodles recipe combines tender, flavorful chicken thighs cooked low and slow in a savory honey garlic sauce with lo mein noodles. The dish is finished with fresh scallions and sesame seeds, making it an easy, comforting meal perfect for busy days.
Ingredients
Sauce Ingredients
- â…“ cup honey
- ¼ cup lower-sodium soy sauce
- 6 medium garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce (or regular soy sauce)
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Chicken and Thickening
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons tap water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Noodles and Garnish
- 16 ounces fresh lo mein noodles, cooked according to package directions
- 3 large scallions, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
- White sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: In a 6-quart slow cooker, stir together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, Sriracha, Shaoxing wine, grated ginger, toasted sesame oil, and kosher salt until well combined.
- Add Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a single layer within the honey mixture in the slow cooker, ensuring they are fully coated.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or on LOW for 5 hours, or until the chicken is tender and easily shreddable.
- Shred Chicken: Transfer the chicken thighs to a cutting board and shred them finely using two forks.
- Thicken Sauce: Whisk together tap water and cornstarch in a small bowl to create a slurry. With the slow cooker set to HIGH, stir in the cornstarch mixture into the sauce until it thickens slightly. Then, turn off the slow cooker.
- Combine and Serve: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker along with the cooked lo mein noodles and thinly sliced scallions. Toss everything gently to coat evenly in the sauce. Divide into bowls and garnish with extra scallions and white sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- Use lower-sodium soy sauce to control salt content.
- Shaoxing wine can be substituted with dry sherry if unavailable.
- To save time, cook noodles ahead according to package directions.
- Adjust Sriracha amount based on preferred spice level.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
- Ensure slow cooker is large enough to accommodate all ingredients comfortably.
