Name: Slow Cooker Honey Lemon Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3); 3 tablespoons corn starch; 2 tablespoons canola oil; 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)

If you’re craving something sweet, tangy, and effortlessly delicious, you’ve got to try this Slow Cooker Honey Lemon Chicken Recipe. I absolutely love how this dish balances honey’s natural sweetness with a bright lemon zing, all slow-cooked to tender perfection. Whether you’re juggling a busy schedule or just want an easy dinner that impresses, this recipe has you covered. Trust me, once you make this, it will become one of your go-to slow cooker meals!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hands-Off Cooking: Just toss the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it work its magic while you get on with your day.
Perfect Sweet-Tart Balance: The honey and lemon complement each other in every bite, giving you that crave-worthy flavor combo.
Family-Friendly: My family goes crazy for this, and even picky eaters ask for seconds!
Versatile Meal: Great served over rice, noodles, or even with roasted veggies for a complete dish.

A white plate is filled with a layer of cooked white rice as the base, showing soft grains spread evenly. On top, there is a layer of glazed golden-brown chicken pieces coated with a shiny sauce that adds a rich, saucy texture. To one side of the plate, three thin lemon slices are placed, adding a bright yellow color contrast. A small sprig of green parsley sits near the lemon slices, adding freshness to the presentation. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface with a blue cloth partially visible nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients in this Slow Cooker Honey Lemon Chicken Recipe come together to create that perfect mix of sweetness, tang, and savoriness. I like to make sure I’m using fresh lemon juice because it really brightens the whole dish. Plus, cooking chicken breasts cubed helps them absorb the sauce better and cook evenly in the slow cooker.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Cubed for even cooking and better sauce absorption.
Corn starch: Helps thicken the sauce and gives the chicken a light coating for texture.
Canola oil: Has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, perfect for browning the chicken.
Liquid honey: The star sweetener that adds natural sweetness and depth.
Low sodium chicken broth: Adds savoriness without overpowering the honey and lemon.
Fresh squeezed lemon juice: Fresh is key for that zesty brightness you want.
Low sodium soy sauce: Adds umami and a bit of saltiness to balance the sweet and tart flavors.
Salt and black pepper: To season and enhance all the flavors.
Lemon zest (optional): For an extra punch of lemon flavor at the end.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the best things about this Slow Cooker Honey Lemon Chicken Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your liking. I often switch up the herbs or add extra veggies to make it my own. Don’t hesitate to customize it based on what you have in your kitchen or your family’s preferences.

Add Fresh Herbs: Adding a handful of chopped parsley or thyme in the last 10 minutes gives the dish a fresh, herbal aroma I love.
Swap Chicken Breasts with Thighs: For a juicier bite, I sometimes use boneless skinless thighs instead—just adjust cook time accordingly.
Spice It Up: If you want a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes mixed into the sauce works wonders.
Bulk It Up with Veggies: Toss in sliced bell peppers or broccoli during the last hour for added texture and nutrition.

How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Lemon Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Coat the Chicken

Start by cutting your chicken breasts into small cubes, about ½ to ¾ inch pieces. I like this size because it cooks evenly and soaks up the sauce better. Then, toss the chicken in a large zip-top bag with 3 tablespoons of corn starch until every piece is lightly coated. This step helps give the chicken a nice texture once it’s cooked — I’ve discovered it makes a big difference!

Step 2: Brown the Chicken for Extra Flavor

Next, heat your canola oil in a large skillet over high heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the chicken pieces in a single layer — don’t crowd the pan, so you might want to do two batches. Brown the chicken lightly on all sides; it doesn’t need to be fully cooked here, just a bit golden for flavor. This is a step I used to skip, but I learned that browning really amps up the dish’s depth.

Step 3: Mix Up the Honey Lemon Sauce

In a bowl, whisk together the honey, chicken broth, lemon juice (make sure you zest the lemon before juicing if you want that extra punch), soy sauce, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of corn starch. This mixture will thicken during cooking and coat your chicken in a beautiful glaze.

Step 4: Slow Cook to Tender Perfection

Place the browned chicken into your slow cooker, then pour the honey lemon sauce over the top. Give it a gentle stir to make sure everything is coated. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours or on high for about 1½ to 2 hours. I love the low and slow method because it makes the chicken ultra tender, but high works well if you’re short on time.

Step 5: Final Touches and Taste Test

Before serving, give your chicken a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed—sometimes it can use a pinch more salt or an extra squeeze of lemon juice. If you like, sprinkle in some lemon zest at this point to brighten things up even more. I find this step really rounds out the flavors beautifully.

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Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Honey Lemon Chicken Recipe

Don’t Skip Browning: It may seem like extra work, but browning locks in flavor and adds depth to the final dish.
Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice just doesn’t give the same bright, fresh zing that fresh juice and zest provide.
Watch the Cook Time: Slow cookers vary, so make sure to check your chicken toward the end to avoid overcooking and drying out.
Adjust Sweetness Gradually: Honey is sweet, so start with the amount given and add more only after tasting if you want it sweeter.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Honey Lemon Chicken Recipe

A white plate holds a bed of light brown rice spread in a circular shape, topped with several pieces of golden brown chicken coated in a shiny, thick orange glaze. On the upper right side of the plate, there are two lemon slices placed slightly overlapping each other, and a small sprig of green parsley next to them. The white marbled surface underneath adds a clean and bright background to the scene. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love garnishing this honey lemon chicken with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or some lemon zest for that extra pop of color and flavor. Sometimes, I also add thin slices of fresh lemon on top—it looks beautiful and gives your guests a little extra zing if they want it.

Side Dishes

This recipe goes beautifully over steamed white rice or fluffy jasmine rice, which soaks up all that luscious honey lemon sauce. If you’re feeling noodly, buttered egg noodles or even quinoa work great too. For veggies, I usually roast some asparagus or steam green beans on the side to keep it light and fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I like to serve the chicken on a big platter with lemon slices and fresh herbs all around. It makes the table look inviting and colorful. Or try layering the chicken over a bed of your favorite grains and garnish with toasted almonds or sesame seeds for an added crunch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover honey lemon chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I’ve noticed it tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to mingle. Just make sure to cool it to room temperature before refrigerating to keep it fresh.

Freezing

Freezing this dish works well if you portion it out before freezing. I freeze both the chicken and sauce together in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 2 months. When you thaw it, do so overnight in the fridge and it reheats beautifully without losing texture.

Reheating

To reheat, I like to warm the chicken gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel to keep things moist. If the sauce has thickened, adding a splash of chicken broth or water helps loosen it back up nicely.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this Slow Cooker Honey Lemon Chicken Recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs tend to stay juicier and have more flavor. Just keep an eye on the cooking time—thighs might cook a bit faster and will be a little more tender when done. They make a great substitution if you prefer dark meat.
Is it necessary to brown the chicken before adding to the slow cooker?

While you can skip browning for convenience, I highly recommend it. Browning your chicken adds a wonderful depth of flavor and improves the texture. I used to skip it when I was short on time, but I noticed the dish tastes much better with this extra step.
How can I thicken the sauce if it’s too runny after cooking?

If your sauce seems thin, you can mix a little more corn starch with cold water to make a slurry and stir it into the slow cooker. Then, cook on high for 10-15 more minutes until it thickens. Just be sure to add corn starch gradually to avoid clumps.
Can this Slow Cooker Honey Lemon Chicken Recipe be made gluten-free?

Yes, simply use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari in place of regular soy sauce. Everything else in the recipe is naturally gluten-free, so it’s a great option for those with gluten sensitivities.
What’s the best way to serve this dish for meal prep?

I like to portion the chicken and sauce into meal prep containers with a side of steamed rice and some steamed greens or roasted veggies. It reheats well for lunches or quick dinners during the week.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Honey Lemon Chicken Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug on a busy night but doesn’t require you to be in the kitchen babysitting it. I love the combination of sweet and tangy flavors, and how tender the chicken gets in the slow cooker. It’s become a favorite in my household, and I’m confident you’ll enjoy making it as much as I enjoy sharing it. So grab your slow cooker, get the ingredients ready, and make yourself a batch—you won’t regret it!