My 5-Ingredient Hot Honey Chicken Is a Dinner Lifesaver

If I could only keep one small appliance in my kitchen, it would be my slow cooker. As a kid, my parents would load up the slow cooker with veggies, beans, and meat, and it always seemed like magic when we'd come home from school to a fully-cooked meal.

I love this slow cooker hot honey chicken because it's just like those childhood favorites I grew up on, but with a modern, sweet-and-spicy twist. Chicken breasts or thighs are coated in honey, Sriracha, olive oil, and a squeeze of lime. It all gets added to the slow cooker with a little minced garlic, salt, and pepper for an oven-free meal as delicious as it is easy. The chicken becomes so tender and flavorful in the slow cooker. 

Tips for Making My 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Hot Honey Chicken

• Make it spicier: If you want an even spicier dish, there are a few additions you can make. I like to add a 1/2 teaspoon of Dak’s Blackening Seasoning to turn up the heat and add a little smokiness. Or, add some cayenne pepper or fresh sliced jalapeños to the slow cooker to amp up the spice level even more. 
• Use chicken thighs or breasts: I like to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe because they have a higher fat content than other cuts of chicken and get very tender in the slow cooker. But for a lighter meal, chicken breasts work, too. 
• Use your favorite hot sauce: This recipe calls for sriracha, but you could easily substitute your favorite hot sauce. I like to use half the amount of Louisiana hot sauce or even Buffalo sauce in place of the sriracha for a different flavor profile that still brings the heat. Experiment with the amount until you find what tastes best to you. 

Fun Toppings To Add

Choosing toppings for this meal is my favorite part because the choices are endless. Just make sure you have something crunchy on top like: 

• Sliced green onions
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Chopped peanuts
• Matchstick-cut carrots
• Sliced radishes
• Chopped cilantro

How To Serve My Hot Honey Chicken

This meal is delicious served over rice or with a side of corn, cornbread, or rolls. It also pairs well with coleslaw or a veggie-forward noodle salad. Or, shred up the chicken and use it for tacos or as a salad topper.