Oh my goodness, if you’re looking for a dish that’s bursting with flavor and practically cooks itself, then you’ve got to try my slow cooker brown sugar garlic chicken! Imagine tender chicken breasts soaking up a sweet and savory sauce made with brown sugar, soy sauce, and a punch of garlic. It’s the kind of meal that fills your kitchen with a mouthwatering aroma while you go about your day. Seriously, just toss everything in the slow cooker, set it, and forget it! You’ll end up with a deliciously sticky, flavorful chicken that’s perfect served over rice or noodles. Trust me, your taste buds are going to thank you!
Ingredients List
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delightful dish! Here’s what you’ll need to make my slow cooker brown sugar garlic chicken:
- 4 chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless works best for this recipe, ensuring they stay juicy and tender as they cook.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar: Light or dark, it doesn’t matter! This sweetener gives the dish its signature caramelized flavor.
- 1/4 cup soy sauce: Use low-sodium if you’re watching your salt intake. It adds a savory depth that balances the sweetness.
- 1/4 cup ketchup: Yes, you read that right! It compliments the flavors beautifully and adds a nice tang.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced: Freshly minced garlic is key here for that aromatic punch—you can’t skimp on this!
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger: Adds an extra warmth and spice; fresh ginger is great too if you have it!
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: Just a little kick to round out the flavors.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch: This will help thicken the sauce later, giving it that perfect sticky consistency.
- 2 tablespoons water: Simple but necessary to mix with the cornstarch for thickening.
Now that you’ve got everything lined up, you’re ready to create some magic in your slow cooker!
How to Prepare Instructions
Alright, let’s get cooking! Here’s how to whip up my slow cooker brown sugar garlic chicken—it’s super simple, I promise!
Step-by-Step Process
- First things first, place your chicken breasts right in the bottom of your slow cooker. Make sure they’re not overlapping too much so they cook evenly!
- In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, ground ginger, and black pepper. Don’t skip this step—it’s where the magic happens! Whisk it all together until it’s nice and smooth.
- Now, pour that delicious sauce all over the chicken. Make sure every piece is coated; it’s going to soak up all that flavor as it cooks!
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. I usually go low for the best results, but if you’re in a hurry, high works too!
- Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside on a plate. It’s going to be super tender, so be gentle!
- Now, let’s thicken that sauce! Mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl until it’s smooth, then stir it into the sauce in the slow cooker. This is the secret to that sticky goodness.
- Cover and cook on high for an additional 15 minutes to thicken your sauce. You’ll want to keep an eye on it, as it’ll start bubbling away!
- Finally, serve your chicken over rice or noodles, drizzling that luscious sauce on top. Enjoy!
And there you have it! A deliciously easy meal that’s sure to impress.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy preparation—just toss everything in and let the slow cooker do the work!
- Family-friendly dish that pleases even the pickiest eaters with its sweet and savory flavors.
- Rich, sticky sauce that’s perfect for drizzling over rice or noodles, making every bite a delight.
- Minimal cleanup required; just one pot to wash means more time to enjoy your meal!
- Great for meal prep—make it ahead and enjoy leftovers throughout the week!
Tips for Success
To make sure your slow cooker brown sugar garlic chicken turns out perfectly, here are a few tips! First, don’t rush the cooking process—low and slow is the way to go for tender chicken. If you like a bit of heat, feel free to add some red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicy kick! Also, remember to check the internal temperature of the chicken; it should reach 165°F (74°C) for safe eating. And if you want to thicken the sauce even more, add an extra teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a splash of water. Happy cooking!
Variations
If you want to switch things up, there are plenty of fun variations for my slow cooker brown sugar garlic chicken! You can swap out the chicken breasts for boneless chicken thighs for a richer flavor. Feeling adventurous? Try adding some chopped vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas during the last hour of cooking for a colorful twist. You could even use shrimp instead of chicken for a seafood version—just reduce the cooking time to avoid overcooking. The possibilities are endless, so get creative and make it your own!
Nutritional Information Section
When it comes to the nutrition of my slow cooker brown sugar garlic chicken, keep in mind that these values can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you choose. While I can’t provide exact numbers, here’s a general idea of what you might expect per serving:
- Calories: 300
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sodium: 600mg
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 15g
- Protein: 25g
Always feel free to adjust the ingredients to suit your dietary needs and preferences. Enjoy your cooking adventure!
FAQ Section
Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
Yes, you can! Just add a little extra cooking time, but make sure to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
What should I serve with this chicken?
This dish is fantastic over rice or noodles, but you can also serve it with steamed veggies or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare everything in the slow cooker the night before and store it in the fridge. Just cook it the next day as directed.
What if I want a thicker sauce?
No problem! Just mix a bit more cornstarch with water and stir it into the sauce during the last few minutes of cooking.
Can I use a different type of meat?
For sure! Pork tenderloin or even tofu for a vegetarian option would work beautifully in this recipe.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Leftover slow cooker brown sugar garlic chicken stores beautifully! Just place any uneaten chicken and sauce in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge, where it’ll keep for about 3-4 days. If you want to enjoy it later, you can freeze it for up to 2 months—just make sure to label the container! When you’re ready to reheat, thaw it overnight in the fridge for best results. To warm it up, you can microwave it in short bursts, stirring in between, or heat it gently on the stovetop until it’s piping hot. Enjoy every delicious bite!
Print
Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken: 7 Irresistible Tips
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A flavorful slow cooker dish with chicken, brown sugar, and garlic.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in slow cooker.
- In a bowl, mix brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, ginger, and pepper.
- Pour sauce over chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Remove chicken, and set aside.
- Mix cornstarch and water, then stir into the sauce in the slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 15 minutes to thicken the sauce.
- Serve chicken with the sauce over rice or noodles.
Notes
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar.
- For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes.
- Use boneless chicken thighs for a richer flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: slow cooker brown sugar garlic chicken
