Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 07/6/21
Serving bowl with slow cooker honey mustard chicken.
The Spruce / Diana Rattray
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 4 hrs
Total: 4 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 8 thighs

Your family will enjoy the flavors in this slow cooker honey mustard chicken and you'll love the easy prep. A few simple pantry ingredients create a flavorful honey mustard sauce that complements the chicken perfectly. Thighs stand up well to long, slow cooking, so the crockpot is an excellent method. And it's convenient—all you have to do is toss everything in the crockery insert and press the start button. You'll be free to go about your day as your meal cooks. With no pre-cooking required, it couldn't be easier!

A little dried thyme adds flavor, but feel free to experiment with various flavors until you find your own unique take on this recipe. If you like spicy food, add 1/2 teaspoon or more of crushed red pepper, or add some chopped onion to the chicken.

Timing is up to the cook—the dish can be ready in as little as 3 to 4 hours, or it may be cooked using the lower setting for up to 5 or 6 hours. If you want the chicken to be falling apart and shreddable, choose a longer length of time. If you want larger pieces, check it earlier.

The chicken is excellent served with rice or noodles or in sandwich buns.

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Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

  • 1/2 cup honey

  • 1/2 cup Dijon mustard

  • 3 tablespoons yellow mustard

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro, for garnish, optional

  • 1 teaspoon coarsely chopped fresh thyme, for garnish, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    ingredients for slow cooker honey mustard chicken
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

  2. Pat the chicken thighs with paper towels to dry and place them in the slow cooker.

    chicken thighs in the slow cooker
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

  3. In a bowl, combine the honey, the mustards, soy sauce, garlic, and thyme.

    sauce for honey mustard chicken
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

  4. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken thighs.

    honey mustard chicken ready to be slow cooked
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

  5. Cover the slow cooker and cook the chicken on high for 3 to 4 hours or on the low setting for 5 to 6 hours.

    honey mustard chicken in the slow cooker
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

  6. Transfer the chicken to a serving dish and garnish with cilantro or fresh thyme leaves, if using.

    honey mustard chicken from the slow cooker in serving bowl
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Is It Possible to Overcook Chicken in a Slow Cooker?

It is possible and a lot depends on whether you are cooking chicken breasts or thighs. Chicken breasts become dry when overcooked, while chicken thighs hold up much better and stay tender and juicy over a longer cooking period. It also depends on whether you want to shred the chicken or serve whole, intact pieces. Also, slow cooker temperatures vary, so check the chicken when the minimum time is up to be sure.

Should You Flip Chicken Over in a Slow Cooker?

Flipping isn't necessary. The way a slow cooker cooks is similar to a pot on the stovetop. The food cooks in liquid and steam created by the slow cooker.

Should the Liquid Cover the Meat When Using a Slow Cooker?

Not necessarily. A slow cooker with a tight-fitting lid creates extra liquid from condensation as the food cooks. A large roast slow-cooked on the low setting will need less liquid than it would on the high setting. If your slow cooker tends to cook high and liquids evaporate, you may need to add more. Follow the recipe and keep an eye on your cooker.

Tips

  • For a lighter sauce, pour it into a fat separator before serving.
  • If the sauce is watery, make a cornstarch slurry with 2 teaspoons of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of water. Put the pot on high and add the slurry. Stir and cook for a few more minutes, or until the sauce is thickened.
  • If the sauce is too concentrated, try adding about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of cream to tone it down.

Helpful Links

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
534 Calories
19g Fat
39g Carbs
57g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 534
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 19g 24%
Saturated Fat 6g 28%
Cholesterol 277mg 92%
Sodium 1778mg 77%
Total Carbohydrate 39g 14%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 35g
Protein 57g
Vitamin C 1mg 6%
Calcium 62mg 5%
Iron 3mg 19%
Potassium 740mg 16%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)