Description
This Slow Cooker Honey Lemon Chicken is a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors, made effortlessly in the slow cooker. Tender chicken breast pieces are browned and then simmered in a luscious honey lemon sauce, making it an ideal meal to serve over rice or noodles for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3 breasts)
- 3 tablespoons corn starch
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
Sauce
- ½ cup liquid honey
- ⅓ cup low sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 1 lemon, zest before juicing!)
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into ½ to ¾ inch cubes. Place them in a large zip-top bag and add 3 tablespoons of corn starch. Shake or toss until the chicken pieces are evenly coated in corn starch.
- Brown the chicken: Heat a large skillet over high heat and add 2 tablespoons of canola oil. Once the oil is hot, add the coated chicken pieces in a single layer, giving space between pieces. Cook until lightly browned on each side, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Transfer to slow cooker: Place the browned chicken pieces into a 2.5 to 4-quart slow cooker.
- Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together honey, low sodium chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, soy sauce, salt, black pepper, and 2 tablespoons of corn starch until well combined.
- Cook in slow cooker: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours or on high for 1½ to 2 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Adjust and serve: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning or sweetness if needed. Stir in the lemon zest for an extra burst of lemon flavor if desired. Serve hot over rice or noodles.
Notes
- This dish is a balance of sweet and tangy flavors, great served over rice or noodles.
- Use low sodium chicken broth and soy sauce to control saltiness.
- The lemon zest adds an extra punch of citrus but is optional.
- Browning the chicken before slow cooking enhances flavor and texture.
- Perfect for busy days as it requires minimal hands-on time after prep.
- Includes a step-by-step recipe video for guidance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 367 kcal
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 564 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 73 mg
