Prepare your ingredients by mincing the garlic and measuring out honey, soy sauce, and water. Set everything within easy reach to streamline the process.
Trim excess fat from the chicken thighs, then cut them into uniform pieces about 3 inches long to ensure even cooking and tender bites.
In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, honey, soy sauce, and water until well combined and slightly frothy. This mixture will become your flavorful glaze.
Place the chicken pieces into the slow cooker, spreading them out evenly to allow for uniform cooking and flavor absorption.
Pour the honey garlic mixture over the chicken, making sure each piece is coated with the sauce. This helps the chicken soak up all that sweet and savory goodness.
Cover the slow cooker and set it to low for 4 to 5 hours, or high for 2 to 3 hours. As it cooks, the sauce will bubble gently and thicken, turning into a glossy glaze that coats the chicken beautifully.
Halfway through the cooking time, check the sauce. If it appears too thin, remove the lid and increase to high for 15–20 minutes to help it reduce and become sticky and caramelized.
Once the chicken is tender and easily pulls apart, carefully transfer it to a serving plate, leaving the sauce in the slow cooker. This prevents breaking the chicken apart during handling.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, whisk together a teaspoon of cornstarch with two teaspoons of cold water to make a slurry. Pour this into the slow cooker and cook on high for 5 minutes until the sauce turns thick and glossy.
Finish by drizzling a teaspoon of sesame oil over the chicken for a smoky aroma, then sprinkle chopped scallions if desired. Serve hot over steamed rice or greens for a complete, satisfying meal.
