Honey Garlic Chicken Rice (Printable)

Succulent chicken in honey garlic sauce atop fluffy rice makes a delicious, easy summer main dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Protein

01 - 1.5 pounds 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

→ 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

# How-to Steps:

01 - Whisk honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, rice vinegar, grated ginger, black pepper, and chili flakes in a mixing bowl until fully combined.
02 - Place chicken thighs in the crockpot and pour the prepared sauce evenly over them.
03 - Cover and cook the chicken on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 to 7 hours, until chicken is tender and fully cooked.
04 - Rinse rice under cold water. Combine rice, water, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce to low heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Let rest, covered, for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
05 - Remove chicken thighs from the crockpot and set aside. Mix cornstarch with water to form a slurry, then stir into the sauce in the crockpot.
06 - Return chicken thighs to the crockpot. Cook on high for 10 to 15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
07 - Serve chicken and sauce over rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds as desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • You’ll get rich flavor with almost no stress—let the crockpot do the work while you relish the aromas.
  • The sauce clings beautifully to tender chicken and satisfies sweet-savory cravings, making every bite irresistible.
02 -
  • If you add the slurry too early, the sauce turns clumpy; wait until the very end for best results.
  • Rinsing rice thoroughly prevents it from becoming gluey—a step I once skipped and regretted!
03 -
  • Don’t skip the slurry and the final simmer—this step takes the sauce from good to unforgettable.
  • If you toast sesame seeds, do it dry over low heat for extra aroma; it’s a game-changer.
Go Back