Description
This honey lime chicken crockpot recipe creates tender, flavorful chicken in just 4 hours with only 10 minutes of prep time. The perfect balance of sweet honey and tangy lime juice makes this slow cooker meal a family favorite that’s versatile enough for tacos, rice bowls, or salads.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅓ cup fresh lime juice (about 3–4 limes)
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced thin (for garnish)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Prep the chicken: Pat chicken breasts or thighs completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, pressing seasonings into the meat.
- Make the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together fresh lime juice, honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Add to crockpot: Place seasoned chicken in crockpot in a single layer. Pour honey lime sauce evenly over chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated.
- Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours. Chicken is done when it reaches 165°F internal temperature and shreds easily with a fork.
- Shred and finish: Remove chicken from crockpot and shred using two forks. Return shredded chicken to crockpot and toss with accumulated juices and sauce.
- Rest and serve: Let chicken rest in crockpot for 5 minutes to absorb flavors. Garnish with green onions and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.
Notes
Chicken Tips: Chicken thighs work best for this recipe as they’re more forgiving and stay juicy. If using breasts, check at 3-hour mark when cooking on low.
Sauce Consistency: For thicker sauce, pour cooking liquid into a saucepan and simmer 5-10 minutes until reduced, then pour back over chicken.
Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months. Flavors improve after 1-2 days.
Serving Ideas: Perfect over rice, in tacos, on salads, or in grain bowls. Try with coconut rice for a tropical twist.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 240
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: honey lime chicken crockpot, slow cooker honey lime chicken, crockpot chicken recipe, easy dinner recipe, meal prep chicken, family dinner, gluten free chicken