Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken: A Simple Dinner with Plenty of Sauce

A slow cooker dinner can take one thing off your evening to-do list. This honey mustard chicken needs just a few minutes of prep, and the sauce comes together with ingredients you may already have in the kitchen.

Boneless chicken thighs cook with Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, and broth until tender. A quick thickening step at the end gives you a sauce that is perfect for spooning over rice or mashed potatoes.

The mustard gives it a little tang, the honey softens the flavor, and dinner feels a bit different from the usual chicken routine without adding much work.

Why This Dinner Works

No browning step is needed.
Chicken thighs stay tender during slow cooking.
The sauce works with several easy side dishes.

Recipe at a Glance

Servings: 4–6
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: About 4–5 hours on low, plus 15–20 minutes to thicken
Equipment: A 4- to 6-quart slow cooker

Ingredients

2 pounds thawed boneless, skinless chicken thighs
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
¼ cup Dijon mustard
¼ cup honey
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
3 garlic cloves, minced
½ teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon cold water
Optional: chopped parsley for serving
For serving, if desired: cooked rice or mashed potatoes and steamed green beans

How to Make It

Place the chicken in the slow cooker and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
In a small bowl, whisk together the broth, Dijon mustard, honey, vinegar, garlic, and thyme. Pour over the chicken.
Cover and cook on low for approximately 4–5 hours, until the chicken is tender and reaches at least 165°F. Begin checking around 3½ hours because slow cookers vary.
Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover loosely to keep warm.
Mix the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Stir into the sauce, cover, and cook on high for 15–20 minutes, until thickened. If your slow cooker does not get the sauce hot enough, transfer the sauce to a saucepan and simmer with the slurry for 1–2 minutes.
Return the chicken to the sauce. Spoon over rice or mashed potatoes and finish with parsley, if using.

What to Serve with It

Rice, mashed potatoes, or buttered egg noodles all work well with the sauce. Add steamed green beans or broccoli to round out the meal.

A Simple Tip

Measure the mustard and honey ahead of time if mornings are busy. Store the mixed sauce in the refrigerator overnight, then add it to the slow cooker with the chicken when you are ready to start cooking.

A Dinner Worth Keeping Handy

This is a good recipe for a day when you can start dinner earlier and want very little to do at serving time. Would you serve it with rice or mashed potatoes?