Get ready to fall in love with the easiest and most flavorful weeknight dinner imaginable. This Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken recipe is a true game-changer for busy families. With just 10 minutes of prep, your slow cooker does all the work, transforming simple ingredients into tender, juicy chicken coated in an irresistibly sweet and tangy sauce. It’s a “dump and go” meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity and depth of flavor. The honey provides a natural sweetness that perfectly balances the sharp, zesty kick of Dijon mustard. As it slow cooks, the chicken becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender and absorbs every drop of the delicious sauce. This is the kind of comforting, satisfying meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Why This Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe is a Must-Try
In a world of complicated recipes, this slow cooker honey mustard chicken stands out for its sheer simplicity and crowd-pleasing taste. It’s the perfect answer to the dreaded “what’s for dinner?” question.
- Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor: Seriously, the most work you’ll do is whisking the sauce together. Just pour it over the chicken and let the crockpot handle the rest.
- Perfectly Tender Chicken: Slow cooking ensures the chicken is incredibly juicy and tender every single time, whether you use breasts or thighs.
- A Sauce to Dream About: The balance of sweet honey and tangy Dijon mustard, with savory notes of garlic and onion, creates a truly addictive sauce.
- Versatile and Family-Friendly: This recipe is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. It’s also incredibly versatile for meal prep, serving over rice, potatoes, or even in sandwiches.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Honey Mustard Chicken
The beauty of this dish is its short and accessible ingredient list. You probably have most of these items in your pantry and fridge right now.
The Chicken: Breasts or Thighs?
You have options when it comes to the chicken. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a lean choice that cook beautifully in the sauce. For an even juicier, more flavorful result, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are an excellent alternative due to their slightly higher fat content.
The Sauce: A Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tangy
The sauce is where the magic happens. We use a simple combination of honey for sweetness, Dijon mustard for a sharp tang, and a touch of whole grain mustard for texture and depth. A base of chicken broth, seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika, brings it all together.
How to Make Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken: A Simple Guide
Making this dish is as easy as 1-2-3. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result.
- Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Combine in Crockpot: Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker in a single layer. Pour the prepared honey mustard sauce evenly over the chicken.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 4 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): Carefully remove the chicken from the crockpot and set it aside. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with a few tablespoons of the sauce from the crockpot to create a slurry. Stir the slurry back into the crockpot, turn the heat to HIGH, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Serve: Return the chicken to the crockpot (or shred it first, if you prefer) and stir to coat with the thickened sauce. Serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken
While this is a straightforward recipe, a few simple tips will guarantee it’s a home run every time.
- Don’t Overcook: Chicken breasts can become dry if overcooked, even in a slow cooker. Start checking for doneness at the lower end of the cook time. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Thicken for a Richer Sauce: The cornstarch slurry is the secret to a glaze-like sauce that clings perfectly to the chicken. Don’t skip this step if you want that luxurious consistency.
- Taste and Adjust: Before serving, taste the sauce. You might want to add another pinch of salt, a crack of black pepper, or even a small splash of apple cider vinegar to brighten the flavors.
Delicious Variations to Try
One of the best things about this Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken is how easy it is to customize. Here are a few ideas:
- Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken: For a richer, creamier sauce, stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
- Add Some Veggies: Make it a complete one-pot meal by adding chopped potatoes and carrots to the bottom of the crockpot before adding the chicken.
- A Little Bit of Spice: If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a teaspoon of sriracha to the sauce mixture.
What to Serve with Honey Mustard Chicken
This versatile chicken pairs well with a wide variety of side dishes. You can serve it whole, sliced, or shredded.
- Grains: Perfect over a bed of fluffy white rice, brown rice, or quinoa to soak up the amazing sauce.
- Potatoes: Creamy mashed sweet potatoes or simple roasted potatoes are fantastic companions.
- Vegetables: Serve alongside steamed green beans, broccoli, or these incredible honey garlic roasted carrots.
- Sandwiches: Shred the chicken and pile it high on a toasted bun for a delicious twist on a pulled chicken sandwich. This idea is almost as good as our famous slow cooker French dip sandwiches.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
This recipe is great for meal prep! Store any leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make this a one-pot meal. Add hearty vegetables like chopped potatoes, carrots, or green beans to the bottom of the slow cooker before adding the chicken and sauce. They will cook along with the chicken.
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great substitute and will result in even juicier chicken due to their higher fat content. The cooking time remains the same.
The best way to thicken the sauce is to use a cornstarch slurry. After the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crockpot. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water, then whisk it into the sauce in the crockpot. Cook on HIGH for 10-15 minutes until thickened.
For this recipe, boneless, skinless chicken breasts should be cooked on LOW for 4 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Avoid overcooking to ensure the chicken stays juicy.
This dish is very versatile! It pairs wonderfully with fluffy rice, mashed potatoes, quinoa, roasted vegetables like broccoli or carrots, or a simple side salad.
More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this simple slow cooker meal, you’ll love our recipe for tender slow cooker steak bites. They are a fan favorite!
Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken
Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken (Easy & Delicious!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the honey mustard sauce over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C).
- Optional: To thicken the sauce, remove the chicken from the slow cooker. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the sauce in the crockpot. Cover and cook on HIGH for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Return the chicken to the thickened sauce and coat well. Serve hot with your favorite sides.
Notes
Feel free to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for an even juicier result.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Pin This Recipe for Later!
Don’t forget to save this amazing Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken recipe for later! Pin it to your favorite dinner board on Pinterest so you can easily find it when you need a quick and delicious meal idea. Your friends and family will thank you!
