Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe
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This slow cooker honey mustard chicken is an easy, delicious dinner that the whole family will love. It has bright flavors, a creamy, dreamy sauce, and the ease of a set-it-and-forget-it cooking situation. Juicy, tender chicken is coated in a rich, delicious glaze made with honey, mustard, garlic, and lemon juice, creating a perfectly sweet and tangy dish that will bring you to flavor town. Make it tonight for dinner to find out what I’m talking about!
My honey mustard salmon was such a hit with family and friends that I decided to try the delicious flavor combo on chicken. And folks, it did not disappoint – the rich, flavorful sauce brought plain chicken breasts to life! I decided to make it in a slow cooker because it’s the easiest way to achieve perfectly cooked chicken without worrying that it will dry out.
Plus, slow-cooked dishes are super convenient for busy weeknights. I’m happy to have another addition to my rotation of delicious slow cooker chicken recipes, alongside slow cooker apricot chicken and 2-ingredient salsa chicken. Whip up slow cooker honey mustard chicken for weeknight dinners, meal prep, parties and potlucks, or whenever you’re craving a simple dish that’s easy to make as it is to love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Slow cooker convenience: Only 5 minutes of hands-on time and your slow cooker will do the rest.
- Easy, everyday ingredients: All you need are chicken breasts and some pantry staples to make this tasty, hearty dish.
- Bright, fresh flavors: Sweet honey, tangy mustard, savory garlic, and fresh lemon juice come together to make a creamy, flavorful sauce that pairs with chicken perfectly.
- Year-round comfort dish: Cozy enough for cool nights, yet light enough to enjoy in warm weather, too.
- Customizable: Customize the sweetness, spice level, or toppings to suit your mood or the occasion.
- Great for meal prep: Make a big batch and enjoy easy, flavorful meals throughout the week.
How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken
Sweet, tangy, and irresistibly saucy, this recipe transforms humble chicken breasts into a flavor-packed dish with practically no effort. Cooking low and slow ensures juicy, melt-in-your-mouth chicken every time – simply make the marinade, toss it with the chicken in your slow cooker, and leave it to cook. Come back to a delicious dish ready to enjoy!
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Dijon mustard: The tang of mustard combines perfectly with the sweetness of the honey. Dijon works great on its own, but mixing in some coarse grain mustard adds extra depth of flavor and a nice bit of texture.
- Honey: Provides the dish with a smooth, natural sweetness.
- Olive oil: Keeps the chicken juicy and tender while it cooks.
- Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic adds the best flavor, but jarred works if that’s what you have.
- Lemon juice: Adds brightness and balances the honey’s sweetness. Fresh is best, but bottled lemon juice works in a pinch.
- Chicken breasts: I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but you can swap in boneless, skinless or bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs – just keep in mind that bone-in takes longer to cook.
- Paprika, salt, and ground black pepper: The essentials for enhancing the flavor of the chicken.
- Parsley: A fresh garnish that adds color and a hint of flavor.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Making a hearty, saucy dinner has never been this easy. Make slow cooker honey mustard chicken in a few simple steps – just toss the ingredients in your slow cooker and let it work its magic while you go about your day. Come back in a couple of hours and it’ll be ready to serve and enjoy!
Step 1: Make the marinade
Make the marinade in a small bowl by whisking together Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice.
Step 2: Season
Season the chicken with paprika, salt, and pepper. Arrange in the slow cooker. Pour the sauce over evenly.
Step 3: Slow cook
Cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours or HIGH for 2 to 3 hours until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165 F.
Step 4: Garnish and serve
Serve with parsley garnish and optional lemon wedges or slices on the side.
Substitutions
This recipe requires basic ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. If that’s not the case, feel free to substitute with what you prefer or have on hand. Here are my substitution recommendations:
- Dijon mustard: If you don’t have Dijon mustard, use whole-grain mustard instead.
- Honey: Substitute with maple syrup.
- Olive oil: Use avocado oil or any vegetable oil as a substitute. You can also use melted butter if you want a richer flavor.
- Garlic cloves: Swap out with garlic powder or garlic paste in a pinch. Adjust the amount to your taste.
- Lemon juice: Replace with lime juice. If you prefer more acidity, use vinegar (apple cider or white wine vinegar).
- Paprika: Season with a different spice! Try ground cumin, chipotle powder, or Italian seasoning.
- Parsley: Substitute with fresh basil or cilantro.
Expert Tips
- Sear for extra flavor: If you have extra time, quickly sear the chicken before slow cooking to enhance the flavor and lock in juices.
- Thicken the sauce: For a thicker sauce, mix in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water) during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Add veggies: Toss in veggies to the mix for a heartier dish. Try potatoes, baby carrots, sliced onions, or bell peppers.
- Adjust the sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet dish, add a splash of apple cider vinegar for more tang.
- Shred for meal prep: Shred the chicken and mix with the sauce for an easy sandwich, wrap, or salad topping.
How to Store This Recipe
Let leftovers cool completely then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 weeks. When ready to enjoy, reheat on the stovetop until warmed through. If frozen, let it thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken
Slow cooker honey mustard chicken is best served with a side that can soak up its delicious sauce. Enjoy it with crusty bread slices, over rice (we love it with cilantro lime rice!), garlic mashed potatoes, a light salad, or steamed vegetables.
More Easy Main Dishes To Try
- Honey-glazed pork chops
- Bacon-wrapped filet mignon
- Parmesan crusted chicken
- Chicken quesadillas
- Air fryer pork chops
Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ medium lemon juice
- 4 boneless chicken breasts skinless
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon parsley minced for garnish
Instructions
- Make the marinade in a small bowl by whisking together Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice.
- Season the chicken with paprika, salt, and pepper. Arrange in the slow cooker. Pour the sauce over evenly.
- Cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165 °F.
- Serve with parsley garnish and optional lemon wedges or slices on the side.
Notes
- If you have extra time, quickly sear the chicken before slow cooking to enhance the flavor and lock in juices.
- For a thicker sauce, mix in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water) during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Toss in veggies to the mix for a heartier dish. Try potatoes, baby carrots, sliced onions, or bell peppers.
- If you prefer a less sweet dish, add a splash of apple cider vinegar for more tang.
- Shred the chicken and mix with the sauce for an easy sandwich, wrap, or salad topping.
