Crock-Pot Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken

his post may contain affiliate links, please see the Disclosure for details.

This is one of my favorite recipes. It comes from my good friend Amanda, who said I had to try her Crock-Pot Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken. She was right. The chicken comes out moist, full of flavor, and so easy to make. Even my picky eater Parker, who usually only eats chicken nuggets, asked for seconds. If you’re looking for a simple, kid-friendly, gluten-free, and low-fat dinner, this is it.

Ingredients:

• 6 whole boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• ⅔ cup seasoned rice wine vinegar
• ¼ cup apple juice
• 6 to 8 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons cold water

Directions:

1. Add Chicken to the Slow Cooker:
   Place chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
2. Make the Sauce:
   In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, vinegar, apple juice, garlic, soy sauce, and pepper. Pour the sauce over the chicken.
3. Cook:
   Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
4. Set Chicken Aside:
   Take the chicken out of the slow cooker and set it on a plate.
5. Simmer the Sauce:
   Pour the liquid from the slow cooker into a medium saucepan and bring it to a simmer on the stove.
6. Thicken the Sauce:
   In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and cold water to make a slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into the simmering sauce, stirring constantly. Let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens into a glaze.
7. Serve:
   Pour the warm glaze over the chicken and serve.

Equipment:

• 6-quart or larger slow cooker
• Medium saucepan
• Mixing bowls

Tips and Serving Suggestions:

• Line your slow cooker with a liner or spray with nonstick spray to make cleanup easier.
• Serve the chicken over rice or quinoa with steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little spice.
• This recipe works great as a freezer meal. See below for how to prep it ahead.

Nutrition Information:

Each serving has about 314 calories, 56 grams of carbohydrates, 21 grams of protein, and 3 grams of fat. It includes 1 gram of saturated fat, 49 grams of sugar, and 810 milligrams of sodium. These values are estimates and can vary depending on the ingredients you use. For more accurate nutrition info, talk to a registered dietitian.

Storage and FAQs:

This Crock-Pot Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken is a simple, reliable meal that’s sure to please. It’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy.